Dear Utah Youth & Early Learning Professionals - 

We would like to let you know that the final deadline to apply for the following scholarships created with federal stimulus funding is May 31, 2024.

After this date these scholarships will no longer be available in their current forms, as the funding will be finished. 

If you are interested in applying for the following scholarships:

• Early Education Payback Program
• College Course Scholarship
• Conference Registration Scholarship
• Professional Development Incentive (PDI) $250 bonus per level
• Program National Accreditation Reimbursement Grant

please make sure that you apply with all of the correct documentation attached by May 31, 2024.

Please reach out to the Utah Registry for Professional Development (URPD) with any questions that you have at [email protected]. 

As a reminder, these scholarships are available to professionals who work at least 15 hours per week in a licensed or DWS approved, license-exempt program as designated by the Utah Department of Health & Human Services - Child Care Licensing Program. The PDI has different eligibility requirements outlined below.

More information can be found on the Utah Registry for Professional Development Scholarship page. 

Early Education Payback Program

Would you like us to pay for your college degree? (No, we’re not joking!)

Utah’s Early Education Payback Program provides reimbursement for the cost of early childhood (and related) college degrees. Students can earn up to $3,500 per semester while working at least 15 hours/week in an eligible program. You must receive a C- or higher grade to receive the reimbursement. There has never been a better time to earn your degree!

Eligible Degrees:

• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Child Development or equivalent

College Course Scholarship

Are you interested in taking a college course related to early childhood education? We can provide a tuition reimbursement! 

Students who are not currently in school, or who do not qualify for the Early Education Payback program, can earn up to $750 per Career-Ladder approved course for up to 12 credit hours/semester while working at least 15 hours/week in an eligible program. This is a great opportunity to further your knowledge and professional development. Students must receive a C- or higher grade to receive the reimbursement. 

Conference Registration Scholarship

Do you love attending conferences to further your professional learning and development? Take advantage of our conference registration reimbursement once per year!

Professionals can earn up to $500 per year as a reimbursement payment for attending one conference in the early childhood field that meets the requirements for a Professional Activity on the Career Ladder. This opportunity is available for those who are working at least 15 hours/week in an eligible program.

Professional Development Incentive (PDI)

Do you want to earn money while progressing along the Career Ladder? The PDI offers financial incentives to eligible youth and early learning professionals as they achieve professional development milestones. This scholarship is available to those who work at least 20 hours per week in a DWS Eligible licensed center or family child care program. 

For a limited-time only, a $250 COVID-19 Relief Bonus is being added to each level of the PDI. This bonus is going away on May 31, 2024. 

Program Accreditation Grant

Would your program like assistance with applying for a national early childhood accreditation? This $2500 reimbursement scholarship is available for DWS Eligible licensed center and family child care programs who have applied for the following accreditations:

• National Early Childhood Program Accreditation
• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• Council on Accreditation
• National Accreditation Commission
• National Association for Family Child Care

Questions? Reach out to your local Care About Childcare agency or the Utah Registry for Professional Development at [email protected].