Scholarships and Financial Aid

Quality Counts Career Center Educational Scholarship funded by The Children's Trust

The Quality Counts Career Center and the Quality Counts educational scholarships are funded by The Children`s Trust to raise the educational level of early care and education practitioners in Miami-Dade County. The Career Center is part of The Trust`s Quality Counts child care quality initiative.

Eligibility, Terms and Conditions

1. Applicants must participate in the Quality Counts Training Registry, a database that records an individual`s education and training.
2. Applicants participate in development, updating and implementation of a Career Development Plan (CDP) with a Quality Counts Career Advisor.
3. Applicants must complete Quality Counts entrance and exit surveys.
4. Applicants must present proof of current employment (minimum of 20 hours per week) in a licensed or legally license-exempt child care program or related service agency in Miami-Dade County. Child care programs may be private for-profit, not-for profit, faith-based, or publicly-operated. Applicants must work directly with children, such as teachers and assistant teachers, or provide support services to early child care and education programs, such as directors, coaches and curriculum specialists.
5. Applications for Quality Counts educational scholarships are submitted in writing and must be approved prior to the start of the education or training course. Applicants must agree to the Quality Counts scholarship policies, and provide all required documentation.
6. To maintain eligibility for a Quality Counts educational scholarship, participants must successfully complete all coursework or training.

Training Expenses Eligible for Quality Counts Scholarships

Quality Counts scholarships may cover the cost of coursework and trainings that contribute to the professional development of early care and education practitioners, including:

• Trainings, GED classes, tests, transcript translations and evaluations, remedial courses, as required prior to entry into a college program
• A variety of non-credit trainings for CEU`s
• English proficiency classes
• Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC- formerly CDA Equivalent) classes for CEU`s or college credits
• National CDA assessment
• Director credential classes
• Credit courses (up to 15 credits as non-degree students)

Applicants interested in achieving college degrees in early childhood at the Associate or Bachelor level will be referred to the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program; the Children`s Trust makes additional funding available for child care teachers working in Miami-Dade County. The QC Career Center will assist with referrals to Quality Counts T.E.A.C.H. scholarships.

Public & Institutional Aid

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by virtually all two- and four-year colleges, universities and career schools for the awarding of federal student aid and most state and college aid.

The FAFSA serves as the application for a variety of aid programs. View a list of federal student aid programs administered by the U.S. Deptartment of Education.

To complete a FAFSA, you will need the following information:

• Your Social Security Number or (if you are not a U.S. citizen) your Alien Registration Number;
• Your federal tax information or tax returns from the most recently completed tax year;
• Records for any untaxed income you received such as welfare, Social Security, and veterans benefits;
• Information on any savings accounts, investments, or business assets you own;
• All of the above information for your parents if you are including parent information; and
• Your driver's license number if you have one.

Federal Pell Grant Program

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain postbaccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Students may use their grants at any one of approximately 5,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Grant amounts are dependent on:

• the student's expected family contribution (EFC);
• the cost of attendance (as determined by the institution);
• the student's enrollment status (full-time or part-time); and
• whether the student attends for a full academic year or less.

To apply for a Federal Pell Grant, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be submitted by the end of June to be eligible for aid in the following academic year.

Visit the Federal Pell Grant Program website for complete eligibility information, overall funding status, and the applicable laws.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood^® Scholarships

The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship is an educational scholarship awarded to teachers, directors, and family child care providers to help pay for Early Childhood Education degrees and certifications. The scholarship is available at 53 colleges, universities and vocational technical schools throughout the state as well as 34 community-based training institutions.

To be eligible for any T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship, an applicant must work a minimum number of hours per week in a state regulated child care program. Applicants must also have the sponsorship of their employing child care program. Teacher and family child care provider applicants must earn less than $14.60 per hour and directors or director/owners must earn less than $15.00 per hour. Additional eligibility criteria may apply.

The Children's Forum is licensed and authorized to administer T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® in Florida. Since 1998, more than 10,000 scholarships have been awarded.

To learn more about the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® program or to become a participant contact: 1-877-FLTEACH (1-877-358-3224) or visit the Florida T.E.A.C.H. web page or email TeachQuestions@thechildrensforum.com .

Other Aid

Many Colleges and Universities offer scholarship programs for students entering their schools. Please visit the financial aid office or website of your school of choice.

Financial aid offices use information from the FAFSA to determine if you are eligible to receive federal student aid from grants, loans and work-study programs. States and schools also use the information from the FAFSA to determine if you qualify for additional aid. So be sure to fill out a FAFSA even if you think you won't qualify for federal aid.

Back to Top

Calendar of Events