Back to Work: Early Childhood Education Scholarship Program

ECCLA's Back to Work Scholarship is no longer accepting applications. We encourage you to check out our other programs.

Contact Us

Cameron Fall, Scholarship and Career Coordinator
Ph: (720) 899-3048
Em: cameron@ecclacolorado.org

Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Do you need translation? Please contact Cameron Fall to schedule a meeting.

Eligibility Guidelines

Participants must meet the following criteria for scholarship eligibility:

Student experienced an economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic or suffered another form of economic loss.
- Must be able to prove eligibility through Income, Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA/CASFA, Address, or Federal Assistance Program Enrollment.
Student is planning to enroll (or is already enrolled) in an undergraduate degree or certificate program related to Early Childhood Education.
Student is planning to enroll (or is already enrolled) at a Colorado Public Institution of Higher Education.
Student can complete degree or certificate program by June 30, 2024 (the Spring 2024 Semester).
Student is a Colorado resident receiving in-state tuition.

*Please Note: If you are already receiving a Back to Work Scholarship or another Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) Scholarship, you are not eligible to receive this scholarship award.

Your online application will be submitted using SSL encryption which ensures your application information is 100% secure.

The Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) is an equal opportunity scholarship provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, military status, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in any of its activities or operations. Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students are welcome to apply!

Supports Offered

Participants will receive a one-time scholarship award, up to $3,500! Funds can be spread across your entire degree or certificate, so you can save them for when you need them. Funds can also be used to cover a variety of expenses, including:

- Tuition costs and any fees related to admission or enrollment
- Books and supplies (including up to $1,000 towards the cost of a personal computer)
- Living expenses defined as A: housing, food, clothing, transportation and out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, for students who do not contract with a school for room and board, and B: the cost of room and board, an allowance for the cost of housing and food while attending college or career school)
- Transportation costs to/from classes
- Student loan fees
- Child Care or other dependent care
- Costs related to a disability

Additionally, participants are offered the following supports:

- Support with enrollment, registration, financial aid, scholarships, grants, understanding the total cost of obtaining your degree or certificate, FAFSA assistance, CASFA assistance and more!
- Support with navigating institutional barriers and academic hurdles along with social, wellness, familial, and personal concerns
- 1:1 support to ensure progression toward the completion of your degree or certificate
- Connection to various types of resources, career navigation and support, and support with transitioning back into the workforce

Student Resources

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Financial Aid Resources

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Community Resources

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Career Resources

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College Resources

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Justice, Equity, and Belonging Resources

Back to Work Participant Newsletters

Click below to view the Back to Work Participant Newsletters. Newsletters share impact data from the each semester, highlight the benefits of having a Back to Work Scholarship, and give an overview of the Back to Work: Early Childhood Scholarship Program.

About the Back to Work: Early Childhood Education Scholarship Program

ECCLA’s Back to Work: Early Childhood Education Scholarship is a unique program that supports early childhood professionals who experienced an economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and want to earn undergraduate-level degrees and certificates related to Early Childhood Education. This scholarship was open from January 2022 – January 2024 and is no longer accepting applications.

Through the Back to Work Grant, ECCLA is proud to partner with the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s COSI Scholarship Program to help provide the education and training you need for your next job in the Early Childhood profession! The Colorado Recovery Plan expands the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) grant to support Coloradans that have experienced an economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic or suffered another form of economic loss.