Scholars for Excellence in Child Care CDA Assessment Scholarship

About this scholarship

The Scholars for Excellence in Child Care CDA Assessment Scholarship helps qualifying Oklahoma child-care professionals pay the assessment fee for the national Child Development Associate credential. Under the current agreement, the Scholars program contributes $470 directly toward the fee, while either the applicant or the employing child-care facility supplies the remaining $55 by check or money order to the Oklahoma State Regents. Program staff review the CDA Assessment Scholarship Application and the Council for Professional Recognition credential application for completeness, then submit the covered assessment payment. The scholarship is for the assessment stage, not a general cash award or unrestricted tuition grant. Applicants must work at least 30 hours each week in a qualifying position at a licensed child-care facility participating in the state’s QRIS program with at least a one-star rating. They also agree to remain in the child-care field for at least six months after receiving the CDA credential and authorize the program to coordinate necessary educational and employment information. Students should contact the named scholarship administrator or local scholar coordinator before sending the agreement, payment share, and related CDA documents.

Eligibility

• Work at least 30 hours per week at a licensed Oklahoma child-care facility
• Work as a teacher, assistant director, director, family child-care provider assistant, or qualifying family child-care provider
• Work at a facility participating in the Oklahoma QRIS program with at least a one-star rating
• Pursue the national Child Development Associate credential and assessment process
• Submit the scholarship agreement and required CDA application materials
• Arrange payment of the remaining $55 assessment-fee share by the applicant or employing facility
• Commit to work in child care for at least six months after receiving the CDA credential