As of April 1, the application period for the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship for the fall 2025 semester is now open. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is June 7, 2025.  

The QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship, made possible by a partnership between QUALITYstarsNY and the Early Childhood Career Development Center, is a competitive scholarship that funds tuition for one course per semester (a maximum of two courses per year) for eligible QUALITYstarsNY participants working toward their early childhood degree or credit-bearing credential.

QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship eligibility requirement

Eligibility as a Participant

  • Be working 20 or more hours per week in a participating QUALITYstarsNY program in a teaching or leadership role.
  • Have an active, current Aspire Registry ID number and profile.
  • Have been continuously employed for at least 12 months at a QUALITYstarsNY program.*

Eligibility as a Student

  • Be a full-time or part-time student taking coursework in early childhood education at a CUNY or SUNY college. Proof of admission or enrollment will be required for applicants.
  • If eligible for Educational Incentive Program (EIP) funding, the use of EIP funding is required during the calendar year.

Eligibility with the Career Development Center

  • Meet with a career advisor before the June 7 deadline if you are a new or returning applicant who has not met with one in the last six months
  • Be in good standing with the Career Center (i.e., if you are currently a Career Center client, be up to date with required meetings, grade submissions, etc.).
  • Be prepared to meet with a Career Center advisor three times per semester.
  • Report your grades to the Career Center.

*Multiple locations will count
*Applicable only to tuition scholarships

Application process

The application for the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship is available on the Career Development website. The application should take about 15-20 minutes to complete. Applicants should know their active, current Aspire Registry ID and, if they have it, proof of enrollment and estimated tuition fees.

Application deadline for Fall 2025 Semester: June 7, 2025

The application for the fall 2025 semester opened April 1, 2025, and closes on June 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Educators who plan to apply for funding for the fall 2025 semester must apply for the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship by June 7.

Applicants not yet working with the Career Development Center 

If you are not yet working with a career advisor at the Career Development Center or have not met with one in 6 months, you will have to meet with an advisor as part of the application process. If you are planning to apply for the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship but are not yet working with a Career Center advisor, we encourage you to schedule a meeting with your regional Career Advisor as the first step in the application process. If you apply before scheduling a meeting with a career advisor, you will be contacted by your local career advisor and must meet with them to be considered for this scholarship opportunity for the fall 2025 semester.  

Additional Resources