Application for Early Childhood Education Professional Development Project Scholarship Scholarship Deadlines: ONLY COMPLETED APPLICATIONS WITH ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTAION WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR FIRST ROUND FUNDING* Spring (January Term) 2016: December 11, 2015 Summer 2016: May 20, 2016 Fall 2016: August 5, 2015 *Second Round Funding not guaranteed 1
Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley 715 Main Street Alamosa Phone (719) 937-4010 Email: professional@eccslv.org Fax: 719-496-0664 Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley - Professional Development Scholarship Program Policies The Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley (ECCSLV) Professional Development Scholarship is offered to current employees at a licensed Early Childhood Care site who meet funding eligibility criteria. For over 10 years the Early Childhood Council in partnership with The Buell Foundation has granted scholarships to employees who are seeking continuing education in the early childhood field. In an effort to increase the quality of our early childhood professional development scholarship we strive to leverage resources from employers, the T.E.A.C.H scholarship, Race to the Top Scholarship, COF Funding and Early Head Start in order to maximize all funding sources for the improvement of the Early Childhood Professionals in the San Luis Valley. Scholarship program cannot guarantee ongoing funding and does not promise funding that it has not yet received from The Buell foundation. All scholarships through this program are dependent on continuing funding from the Foundation. Scholarship Deadlines: ONLY COMPLETED APPLICATIONS WITH ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTAION WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR FIRST ROUND FUNDING* Fall 2015: August 14, 2015 Spring (January Term) 2016: December 11, 2015 Summer 2016: May 20, 2016 Fall 2016: August 5, 2016 *Second Round Funding not guaranteed 2
Scholarships cannot be redeemed for cash or substituted for any other items by the person receiving the grant. Grantees cannot assign or transfer scholarship. Early Childhood Council may use pictures, video or other media obtained from scholarship presentations for promotion of the Early Childhood Council. By applying, participants represent that they are eligible, and agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the scholarship awards process. Requirements and Guidelines (Eligible Applicants) Scholarships: Scholarship dollars are limited and are intended to be used when all other available sources have been exhausted. In order to be considered for the EC Professional Development Scholarship, EC professionals must meet the following conditions: Be presently employed by a licensed Child Care facility or licensed family home. Complete the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FASFA) and provide a copy of the award or denial letter (SLVECC will not award monies for classes covered by Pell grant or other financial aid grants). Complete the application for scholarship and submit it with supporting documentation (financial aid letter or FAFSA report) by the deadline to the ECCSLV. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted for first round funding. EC Professional must receive a C grade or higher in the class paid for by this Scholarship AND maintain a 2.0 grade point average. A student who does not receive a grade of C or better is NOT at that point eligible for future scholarships or stipend awards. To regain eligibility the student must refund the amount awarded for the ineligible class or repeat the class with an acceptable grade at their own expense. Applicants agree to provide documentation of grade(s) received in classes for which they have received ECCSLV scholarship. 3
Applicants who leave the San Luis Valley before using their awarded funds or leave employment with a licensed facility or home prior to using their funds forfeit their award. These funds are not to be used for someone who has already received a Bachelor s degree in any subject. First priority for scholarship awards are specifically for college level classes in the field of Early Childhood and/or leading toward a degree in Early Childhood. Other degree types may be considered depending on job placement of Professional (ie Director taking business classes, etc). Noncollege classes will be considered only as a lower priority, depending on funding, application to the field of Early Childhood and position of applicant. Award Determination: The Professional Development Manager will review applications for completeness and to determine if they meet the current eligibility requirements. As needed the Professional Development Advisory Committee will assist in this work. Early Childhood Professionals working toward Early Childhood Credential Levels I, II and III will receive priority. The maximum scholarship for each participant is based on the cost of a maximum of 6 college credits in the field of Early Childhood at a state supported college (ie Adams State University or Trinidad State Junior College), as well as the number of eligible applicants. Attendance at other colleges/universities will be considered on a case by case basis. Students may also be eligible for reimbursement for cost of books for Early Childhood class, depending on available funds. No specific award amount is guaranteed to any applicant. All awards are based on funding available and priorities within the program. 4
Early Childhood Professional Development Project Application for Scholarship 5
Name: Student ID number (if available) Mailing Address: Home phone #/mobile # Email Employer Work phone Do you have a Bachelors degree in ANY subject? If Yes You are not eligible for this Scholarship. See Policies What School do you intent to attend? For what class(es) are you registering: Anticipated request are: Tuition & fees $ Books $ 6
Total amount of assistance requested: $ Have you applied for Financial Aid? Yes No (if NO: You are not eligible for this Scholarship, see Policies) Were you approved for assistance? Yes No If Yes: Amount awarded Please attach award or denial notice (REQUIRED) Are you eligible for any other funding from your employer, Veteran s benefits, Workforce Center, Etc.? No Yes Amount. Please read the following statements and indicate your agreement by initialing each statement and signing and dating this statement. I give permission to the Professional Development Manager to communicate regarding my application and/or eligibility for financial assistance with the staff at the college where I am enrolled or intend to enroll. I give permission to the Professional Development Manager to receive, or exchange information concerning my enrollment, present or past grades or current classes with the faculty/staff at the college where I am enrolled. 7
I give permission to the Professional Development Manager to communicate information concerning my enrollment or current classes with my employer and/or Early Head Start staff. I have read the Policies of the Professional Development Project and agree to follow them. I understand it is my responsibility to submit a copy of my financial aid verification with this application to have it considered a completed application I understand if awarded, it is my responsibility to submit my bill, once received, to the Early Childhood Council for payment. I understand it is my responsibility to submit a copy of my grades if awarded to the ECCSLV Professional Development Project. I give permission to Early Childhood Council to use pictures, video or other media obtained from or including scholarship/incentive awards for promotion of the Early Childhood Council. I have read/ initialed and agree to the above: Name Date Signature Name Date Print 8
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