Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Bachelor’s Degree Scholarship

About this scholarship

The Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Bachelor’s Degree Scholarship supports eligible Oklahoma child-care professionals completing a bachelor’s degree in child development or early care at a partnering university. The current official agreement provides up to 90% of tuition and fees and 100% of required textbooks after other financial aid is applied; the scholar is responsible for the remaining 10% and any applicable late fees. Funding is limited to no more than two courses in fall, two in spring, and one in summer, totaling 9–18 credit hours during each 12-month agreement period. Applicants must have worked at least three months at an eligible licensed child-care facility, continue working at least 30 hours per week in an approved role, and follow a qualifying degree plan. They must file the FAFSA annually, submit their class schedule and changes, complete the required annual credit range, maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.5 GPA in child-development or early-care coursework, and pass each funded class. The signed agreement is the official application document, but the scholarship is not valid until OSRHE sends an approval notice.

Eligibility

• Work at an eligible licensed Oklahoma child-care facility for at least three months before beginning coursework
• Work at least 30 hours per week as a teacher, assistant director, director, or qualifying family child-care provider or assistant
• Work at a facility participating in QRIS with a rating of two stars or higher
• Pursue an approved child development or early care bachelor’s plan at a partnering university
• File the FAFSA each academic year and provide requested financial-aid documentation
• Complete 9–18 approved credit hours per agreement year within the stated semester course limits
• Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.5 GPA in child-development or early-care coursework