Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program

Pays a share of tuition, on a sliding scale by income, for Illinois child care and preschool workers taking early childhood courses or degrees.

How much

a percentage of tuition, set by a sliding scale on your income

Who qualifies

• Employed in an Illinois Child Care Licensed program or Early Childhood Block Grant Preschool for All program in an eligible role
• At least 1 year with your current program (90 days at an ExceleRate Bronze/Silver/Gold program; one school year for PFA); an average of 15+ hours a week, 47+ weeks a year; wage requirements; commit to keep working in early care and education.
• For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
• For early childhood education, child development students
• U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or Illinois resident

When to apply

Apply any time Year-round, first-come, first-served while funds last; contracts run July 1 – June 30; new-year applications from May 1.

How to apply

1. Apply year-round through your Gateways Registry Portal (or by paper Supplement Application), 4–6 weeks before your courses start
2. New-year applications open May 1

What you'll need

state application + transcript + membership

Last checked

October 5, 2026, against the official page (ilgateways.com) and page 2