Early Childhood Development Scholarship
Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA)
Up to full tuition and fees (max $7,089 per semester in 2026-27) for Kentuckians working in child care or preschool who pursue early childhood credentials and degrees.
- How much
- Up to full tuition and fees, not to exceed $7,089 per semester (2026-27)
- Who qualifies
- Employed 20+ hours/week in a participating early childhood facility or as a preschool associate teacher in a state-funded preschool
- Kentucky resident; enrolled in an approved program at a participating institution; satisfactory academic progress; not eligible for Head Start/public preschool/First Steps training funds; no unpaid KHEAA/Title IV obligation; agrees to a service commitment based on the credential.
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- For early childhood education students
- U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident
- When to apply
- Check dates No deadline published on the KHEAA page.
- How to apply
- Complete the FAFSA and the Early Childhood Development Scholarship application in MyKHEAA ('Apply Online for Scholarships')
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 21, 2026, against the official page (kheaa.com) and page 2
The details
For people employed at least 20 hours a week in a participating early childhood facility, or as a preschool associate teacher in a state-funded preschool. Approved programs: Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, associate's in early childhood education, bachelor's in interdisciplinary early childhood education (or related approved program), master's in interdisciplinary early childhood education, and the Kentucky Early Childhood Development Director's Certificate. Pays up to full tuition and fees at a participating institution, not to exceed $7,089 per semester for 2026-27. Recipients agree to a service commitment based on the credential pursued. Not available to those eligible for training funds through Head Start, public preschool or First Steps.
More money from Kentucky
- Optometry Scholarship$15,000 per recipient (2026-27; varies yearly with funding)
- College Access Program (CAP) GrantUp to $2,500 at a two-year institution; up to $5,300 at a four-year institution (2026-27)
- Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG)Up to $3,300 for the 2026-27 academic year
- Early Graduation Scholarship CertificateOne-half of the state portion of the average per-pupil SEEK base guarantee for the graduation year (one-time)
- Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)Varies: $187-$500 per year of college for each high school year with a 2.75+ GPA, plus ACT/SAT bonus up to $500 and AP/IB/CAI supplements of $200-$300 per qualifying score (free/reduced lunch students)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
- 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
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