Professional Development for Child Care
This scholarship program is for current/potential child care program staff to help improve the quality of child care. Undergraduate college courses required for a certificate or degree in early childhood education may be approved for payment through the Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship Program VCCPSP), as funding allows. This program is made possible through the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and the federal Child Care and Development Fund. Child care teachers and directors are essential contributors to Virginia's workforce and economy, and we value their efforts to improve the quality of child care by increasing their knowledge and skills in early care and education.
Maximum Award Amount
The Scholarship Program will pay for either 8 undergraduate college courses or a maximum lifetime award amount of $3,570 whichever occurs first. Once enrolled, the maximum lifetime award will not change; this serves as an incentive to use the scholarship funds before tuition increases. For example, if the original enrollment in the scholarship program was in 2013, the maximum lifetime award amount was $2,988.00 based on the average tuition costs and this maximum award amount will not change. Scholarships pay for tuition and technology fees for up to two courses per semester when the eligibility criteria are met.
Requirements
The applicant must meet all of the following criteria (Regulation 22 VAC 40-690-30).
1. Submit an online application.
Paper applications are only available upon request to applicants who do not have a personal email address and to all who are applying for a scholarship with a 4-year college. This Program only reimburses up to $400 per 3- credit course at a 4-year college. Send an email request to childcare.scholarship@dss.virginia.gov or call 866.636.1608 and provide your name, address and telephone number.
2. Be an employee of a child care program located in Virginia, OR a Virginia resident (as defined by the Code of Virginia) who is employed in a non-Virginia child care program, OR a Virginia resident who intends to become employed in a Virginia child care program.
3. Select a Program-approved course for which a scholarship was not previously received.
4. Award Recipients must:
a. Register for the class after receiving an award; and complete the course;
b. Earn an A, B, C or passing grade. VDSS will not award future scholarships to those who receive a D or failing grade unless the state is reimbursed for the tuition and technology fees used; and
c. Have no past occurrences of receiving an award without registering for the class or withdrawing from an awarded class after the add/drop deadline without completing the class.
5. Priority will be given to applicants currently employed in the field of child care. Based on eligibility and funding availability, applications for applicants who do not currently work in child care will be processed in the final week before the application deadline. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the application period since funding is limited.
For more information visit the Virginia Child Care Scholarship Program website : https://www.vaccscholarship.com/