Early Achievers Scholarship Information

What is an Early Achievers Grant?

The Early Achievers Grant is a student financial aid program to help employed child care providers and early learning educators complete certificates and associate degrees in early childhood education. 

Guidelines

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be a Washington state resident or have a valid work visa.
  • Be employed as a child care provider at a child care center, family child care business or Head Start/ECEAP program that is actively participating in the Department of Children, Youth & Families Early Achievers.  
  • Work a minimum of 10 hours a week or 40 hours a month at an eligible child care program.
  • Have worked in the eligible program for a minimum of three months.
  • Intend to enroll in an approved Early Childhood Education program at the college.
  • Make a formal application to the college.

Services Provided 

  • Funding for:
    • Tuition and fees up to 52 credits to be used within four years.
    • Required books and supplies up to $1,000
  • Students may also get:
    • Tutoring
    • Career planning
    • Mentoring
    • Loaned textbooks, calculators or laptops
    • College success classes
    • Emergency child care
    • Emergency transportation

For more information on the Early Achievers grant, please contact Fatima Borjas at (509) 793-2051. You can also apply for the Early Achievers grant at the link below:

https://www.bigbend.edu/student-center/workforce-education-services/