TEACH 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. 

TEACH Maine Program Impact

Program Type

ACTIVE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Race/Ethnicity

Degree Type

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Degrees Earned

Counties Served

Colleges Attended

Eligibility for most comprehensive scholarships includes
early childhood teachers, directors and family home providers who:

  • Have employer sponsorship

  • Earn less than $25 per/hour ($30 per/hour for directors)

  • Work 30 hours or more per week in a Maine licensed childcare facility or family childcare home

Additional eligibility requirements can include:

  • For Bachelor’s Degree – Have no less than 55 transferable ECE credit hours and be eligible for admission as an in-state student into a participating college or university

  • For Bachelor Working Scholars – Must work at least 10 hours in an early care and education program in Maine; be admitted to a participating university or college and enroll and complete at least 3 credit hours per semester toward an early childhood education or child development degree; and have completed an associate’s degree or at least 55 credit hours in early care and education.  ***This scholarship does not require employer sponsorship

  • For Master’s Degree – Must work at least 20 hours a week in an early care and education program in Maine: Be admitted to a participating university or college and enroll and complete at least 3 credit hours per semester toward an early childhood education or child development degree; and have completed a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field with at least 12 ECE credits. 

The TEACH Early Childhood® Scholarship Program offers a variety of different scholarships in partnership with Maine community colleges and universities offering degrees in early childhood education and child development.

Eligibility

What Colleges Can I Attend with a TEACH Early Childhood® Scholarship?

“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 TEACH and what the commitments of the program are

  2. Explore your college options in Maine

  3. Schedule a call with TEACH/MaineAEYC to talk with a counselor about scholarship and college options.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Summer 2025 Application Deadline: April 1st, 2025

Fall 2025 Application Deadline: July 1st, 2025

Spring 2026 Application Deadline: November 1st, 2025

Summer 2026 Application Deadline: April 1st, 2026

Currently accepting applications for Summer 2025

APPLYING FOR A TEACH SCHOLARSHIP

TEACH 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.

MASTER’S DEGREE - WORKING MASTER’S SCHOLARSHIP

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

TEACH 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.