TEACH collaborates with early childhood educators, higher education institutes, child care centers, and family child care programs
To offer scholarships and supports that improve the knowledge and compensation of early childhood educators. In return, young children receive high quality and consistent education from highly qualified educators.
The TEACH Scholarship Program is funded by the Maine Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) and Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network (MRTQ PDN). We are grateful for their support in helping early childhood educators advance their education and careers.
Who Benefits?
Children are the main beneficiaries. They are able to bond with an educator who has made a commitment to the field, who is a specialist in early childhood education, who understands child development, and who is sensitive to the needs of the very young.
Teachers and staff working in child care programs benefit by increasing their knowledge and compensation. In turn, they experience increased professional status and job satisfaction.
Child care programs benefit by having staff who are more knowledgeable in quality early childhood education practices. Participating center directors have reported reduced staff turnover, which has helped to improve their program quality and marketability.
Eligibility for most comprehensive scholarships includes
early childhood teachers, directors and family home providers who:
Have employer sponsorship
Earn less than $25 per/hour ($30 per/hour for directors)
Work 30 hours or more per week in a Maine licensed childcare facility or family childcare home
Additional eligibility requirements can include:
For Bachelor’s Degree – Have no less than 55 transferable ECE credit hours and be eligible for admission as an in-state student into a participating college or university
The TEACH Early Childhood® Scholarship Program offers a variety of different scholarships in partnership with Maine community colleges and universities offering degrees in early childhood education and child development.
Eligibility
What Colleges Can I Attend with a TEACH Early Childhood® Scholarship?
“The TEACH Scholarship supported me in furthering my education in Early Childhood Education as I operated my Family Childcare Business out of my home. Very grateful for this opportunity!”
Theresa Berry, AA Eastern Maine Community College
APPLY TODAY!
WHAT TO DO BEFORE APPLYING?
Talk to your employer to discuss your interest in TEACH and what the commitments of the program are
Explore your college options in Maine
Schedule a call with TEACH/MaineAEYC to talk with a counselor about scholarship and college options.
Currently accepting applications for Fall 2025 —Apply now through the start of classes!
APPLYING FOR A TEACH SCHOLARSHIP
TEACH Early Childhood® MAINE is currently offering the following scholarship model:
ASSOCIATES DEGREE FOR CHILD CARE EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP
• For educators working in centers or family child care programs and earning an Associates Degree.
ASSOCIATES DEGREE FOR DIRECTORS SCHOLARSHIP
• For Directors and/or Owners of child care centers and earning an Associates Degree.
BACHELOR’S DEGREE FOR CHILD CARE EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP
• For educators working in centers or family child care programs and earning a Bachelor Degree.
BACHELOR’S DEGREE FOR DIRECTORS SCHOLARSHIP
• For Directors and/or Owners of child care centers and earning an Bachelors Degree.
TEACH Scholarship Application
The application takes about 20-30 minutes to complete, and you won't be able to save your progress once you begin. We recommend gathering the following information beforehand:
Your hourly wage
Your employment start date
Your MRTQ PDN Career Lattice level
The number of college courses you’ve taken in the last two years
The semester you wish to start your scholarship and the institution you'll be attending
A recent pay stub or proof of income to upload
For those applying to a scholarship with a sponsoring center, please have your Center Director/owner fill out the Center Agreement Form.
