QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship

The QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship is designed to help educators and administrators participating in QUALITYstarsNY advance their education and deepen their qualifications as early childhood professionals. Through the QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship, staff working at a participating early childhood program can access funds to complete their early childhood education degree or credit-bearing certification, credential, or coursework.

The QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship is offered in partnerships with our colleagues at the Early Childhood Career Development Center. The scholarship application and associated career advisement services are coordinated through the Career Development Center.

Scholarship Benefits

  • Scholarship funds to complete an early childhood education degree or credit-bearing certification, credential, or coursework
  • College and career advisement from the Career Development Center to ensure you are on the correct pathway for your personal career journey
  • Access to resources based on your needs, including:
    • Foreign transcript translation and evaluation service (U.S. Transcript Equivalency)
    • Test prep workshops for NYS B-2nd Grade Teacher Certification exams
    • CDA application and renewal fees
    • ​State exam and certification fees for NY State B-2nd Grade teacher certification credentials
    • Books (beginning summer 2023)
    • And more!

To learn more, attend an upcoming Career Development Center Information Session or schedule a meeting with a career advisor. Services and advisement are also available in Spanish.

Get Started

Requirements

  • Work in a program that is currently participating in QUALITYstarsNY.
  • Must be pursuing an early childhood education degree or credit-bearing coursework at a SUNY and CUNY college, or a restricted list of approved private institutions.
  • Have an active and current profile in The Aspire Registry. It is important to ensure your profile is updated and reflects your current employment so the Career Development Center can verify that you work at a program participating in QUALITYstarsNY.
  • Complete the Career Development Workforce Scholarship Application.
  • Once you complete the application, you will be prompted to make an appointment with a Career Advisor. You must make and keep this appointment (and all subsequent appointments) in order to be eligible for the Scholarship.
  • Meet with a career advisor through the Career Development Center at least 3 times each semester.
  • Report grades at end of semester (there is no minimum grade required to maintain the Scholarship funding).

Additional Details

  • You may apply for the scholarship if you are a current student and have paid out-of-pocket for early childhood courses in previous semesters. That means you can still apply for the scholarship for the Spring 2023 semester even if you have already paid for your classes!
  • If you have not yet paid out-of-pocket for your early childhood courses for the semester, QUALITYstarsNY will pay the costs directly to the school once you are approved for the Scholarship.

Learn More & Get Started

Early Childhood Career Development Center Website

Visit the QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship page on the Early Childhood Career Development Center website to learn more about the requirements and read their FAQ. You can schedule a meeting with a Career Advisor to get started with the application process and discuss your eligibility for this and other scholarship opportunities.

QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship Flyer

Download the QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship flyer in English or Spanish to share with your staff or a colleague who may be interested.