Early Childhood Education Innovation Scholarship
Colorado Department of Higher Education with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Last-dollar tuition scholarships for people working in licensed child care who are enrolled in an early childhood education program at a Colorado public college; funds run through December 2026.
- How much
- Varies (tuition for ECE coursework, last-dollar)
- Who qualifies
- Employed in a licensed child care program serving children birth through five
- Eligible for the College Opportunity Fund (in-state undergraduate); enrolled in the college's identified ECE program/pathway.
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school, transfer students
- For early childhood education students
- When to apply
- Open now · due December 31, 2026 Time-limited funding; must be spent by December 31, 2026.
- How to apply
- Ask the early childhood program faculty or the financial aid office at your Colorado public college
- They confirm eligibility and apply the funds
- What you'll need
- See how to apply
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (cdhe.colorado.gov) and page 2
The details
CDHE and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood fund participating community colleges and public universities to pay tuition (and fees for prior-learning assessment or credit for prior learning) for courses in an ECE certificate, degree or professional pathway. Recipients must work in a licensed child care program serving children birth to five, be COF-eligible, and be enrolled in the college's ECE program. Colleges pick recipients through their own processes, targeting students using prior-learning credit, transfer students starting a bachelor's, graduate students, mentored candidates and equity-focused programs. Can be combined with other aid.
More money from Colorado
- CTE Grant (Tuition Assistance for Short CTE Certificates)Up to $7,395 (2025-26; equal to the maximum Pell Grant)
- COSI Matching Student Scholarships (Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative)Varies by local program
- College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend$116 per credit hour at public colleges; $58 per credit hour at participating private colleges (2026-27)
- Colorado Graduate GrantVaries; set by your college
- Colorado Promise: Two Free Years of College ExpandedReimbursement of out-of-pocket tuition and fees for up to 65 credits
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.