As of October 1, the application period for the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship for the spring 2025 semester is now open. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is November 10, 2024.  

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 requirements

Educators who are interested in applying for the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship for the spring 2025 semester must:

  • Be working 20 or more hours per week in a participating QUALITYstarsNY program in a teaching or leadership role.
  • Be a full-time or part-time student taking coursework in early childhood education at a CUNY or SUNY college.
  • If eligible for Educational Incentive Program (EIP) funding, the use of EIP funding is required during the calendar year.
  • Have an active, current Aspire Registry ID number and profile.
  • Be in good standing with the Early Childhood Career Development Center (i.e., if you are currently a Career Center client, be up to date with required meetings, grade submissions, etc.). If you are not yet working with an advisor at the Career Center, you will be required to meet with an advisor during the application process to be considered for this scholarship opportunity.
  • Be prepared to meet with a Career Center advisor three times per semester.
  • Report your grades to the Career Center.
  • Have been continuously employed for at least 12 months at a QUALITYstarsNY program.*
*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 Spring 2025 Semester: November 10, 2024

The application for the spring 2025 semester opened October 1, 2024, and closes on November 10, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Educators who plan to apply for funding for the spring 2025 semester must apply for the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship by November 10.

Applicants not yet working with the Career Development Center 

All applicants that are not yet working with a career advisor at the Career Development Center 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 spring 2025 semester.  

Additional Resources