Scholars for Excellence in Child Care
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE)
For child care workers in licensed Oklahoma facilities: free books and pay only 10% of tuition for child development coursework and credentials at community colleges and technology centers, plus help with the CDA assessment fee.
- How much
- Free books and 90% of tuition and fees (student pays 10%) for eligible coursework; CDA assessment fee assistance
- Who qualifies
- Employed 30+ hours/week at a licensed Oklahoma child care facility in the QRIS star program
- Employed as a teacher, assistant director, director, family child care provider or assistant; facility star rating requirements vary by scholarship; enrolled in a CD/ECE plan of study at a partnering community college or technology center.
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, trade school students
- For child development, early childhood education students
- When to apply
- Apply any time No deadline published; apply before beginning coursework.
- How to apply
- Apply online through Scholars Connect at scholars.okhighered.org
- Your area's scholar coordinator can help
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (okhighered.org), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Scholarships for child care professionals to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, Certificate of Mastery, Director's Certificate of Completion and/or an associate degree in child development or early childhood education. Community college scholarship: free books and pay only 10% of tuition and fees for the Certificate of Mastery and associate degree in CD/ECE. Career technology center scholarship (Early Education: Pathway to Your National Credential only): free books and assessment materials and pay only 10% of Pathway tuition. Assessment scholarship: helps with the national CDA assessment fee. Eligibility: employed at a licensed child care facility in the state QRIS program (two stars or higher for community college scholars, family child care homes one star; one star or higher for tech center and assessment scholarships) as a teacher, assistant director, director, family child care provider or assistant, working at least 30 hours a week; community college scholars must be employed at least three months before coursework (except Certificate of Mastery); agree to a CD/ECE plan of study at a partnering school. Scholar coordinators at 13 community colleges provide advising.
More money from Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award (formerly Academic Scholars Program)Per year, entry year 2026 automatic qualifiers: $24,000 (research universities), $13,000 (regional), $12,500 (community/two-year colleges); institutional nominees: $4,000 / $3,200 / $3,000; plus a tuition waiver at public colleges
- State Regents Workforce Ready ScholarshipOne-time: $7,000 (research institutions), $5,000 (regional), $3,000 (two-year)
- Chiropractic Education Scholarship ProgramUp to $6,000 per year (varies with appropriation)
- Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship$3,500 per year plus a resident tuition waiver
- Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)The lesser of 75% of enrollment costs or up to $1,500 (community colleges and career tech centers), $2,000 (regional universities), $3,000 (research universities) per year
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas
- 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.