T.E.A.C.H. collaborates with early childhood educators, higher education institutes, child care centers, and family child care programs

To offer scholarships and supports that improve the knowledge and compensation of early childhood educators. In return, young children receive high quality and consistent education from highly qualified educators.

Who Benefits? 

  • Children are the main beneficiaries. They are able to bond with an educator who has made a commitment to the field, who is a specialist in early childhood education, who understands child development, and who is sensitive to the needs of the very young.

  • Teachers and staff working in child care programs benefit by increasing their knowledge and compensation. In turn, they experience increased professional status and job satisfaction.

  • Child care programs benefit by having staff who are more knowledgeable in quality early childhood education practices. Participating center directors have reported reduced staff turnover, which has helped to improve their program quality and marketability. 

T.E.A.C.H Maine Program Impact

Program Type

ACTIVE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Race/Ethnicity

Degree Type

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Degrees Earned

Counties Served

Colleges Attended

Eligibility

CHILD CARE CENTER AND FAMILY CHILD CARE EDUCATORS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A T.E.A.C.H. EARLY CHILDHOOD® SCHOLARSHIP IF THEY:

• Live and work in Maine;

• Have a high school diploma or GED;

• Are employed at a licensed child care facility or
licensed family child care home;

• Work a minimum of 30 hours a week and earn less than $25/hour; and

• Have the sponsorship of the early care and learning program which employs them.

What Colleges Can I Attend with a T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship?

WHAT DOES THE T.E.A.C.H.
SCHOLARSHIP COVER?

• 85-90% of tuition and book expenses;

• A $300 per semester travel/access stipend

• Reimbursement for book costs

• A $250-600 bonus for scholars who complete their contract;

• Counseling support from a staff member at MaineAEYC; and

• Paid release time from the classroom (2 hours of paid release time per week for studying & homework — up to 32 hours per term).

“The Teach Scholarship supported me in furthering my education in Early Childhood Education as I operated my Family Childcare Business out of my home. Very grateful for this opportunity!”

Theresa Berry, AA Eastern Maine Community College

APPLY TODAY!

WHAT TO DO BEFORE APPLYING?

  1. Talk to your employer to discuss your interest in T.E.A.C.H. and what the commitments of the program are

  2. Explore your college options in Maine

  3. Schedule a call with T.E.A.C.H./MaineAEYC to talk with a counselor about scholarship and college options.

APPLYING FOR A T.E.A.C.H. SCHOLARSHIP

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MAINE is currently offering the following scholarship model:

BACHELOR DEGREE - WORKING SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP

  • For educators working in any early care and education program and earning a Bachelor Degree. Does not require a sponsoring center.

ASSOCIATES DEGREE FOR CHILD CARE EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP

• For educators working in centers or family child care programs and earning an Associates Degree.

ASSOCIATES DEGREE FOR DIRECTORS SCHOLARSHIP

• For Directors and/or Owners of child care centers and earning an Associates Degree.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE FOR CHILD CARE EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP

• For educators working in centers or family child care programs and earning a Bachelor Degree.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE FOR DIRECTORS SCHOLARSHIP

• For Directors and/or Owners of child care centers and earning an Bachelors Degree.

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Application

The application takes about 20-30 minutes to complete, and you won't be able to save your progress once you begin. We recommend gathering the following information beforehand:

  • Your hourly wage

  • Your employment start date

  • Your MRTQ PDN Career Lattice level

  • The number of college courses you’ve taken in the last two years

  • The semester you wish to start your scholarship and the institution you'll be attending

  • A recent pay stub or proof of income to upload

  • For those applying to a scholarship with a sponsoring center, please have your Center Director/owner fill out the Center Agreement Form.