*Director/Owner

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Have been employed at your current child care or school-age care program for at least the past six months at the time of application; this program must be located in Minnesota.
  • Be accepted into an accredited Minnesota college that offers a degree in Child Development or Early Childhood.
  • Be working at least 15 hours per week directly with children for a minimum of 780 hours per year
  • Continue working at your current place of employment for one additional year beyond your contract year (does not apply to CDA assessment fee scholarship awardees)

*Child Care/School-Age Care Program Staff

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Have been employed at (REMOVE SPACE) your current child care or school-age care program for at least the past six months at the time of application; this program must be located in Minnesota.
  • Be accepted into an accredited Minnesota college that offers a degree in Child Development or Early Childhood.
  • Be working at least 15 hours per week directly with children for a minimum of 780 hours per year
  • Continue working at your current place of employment for one additional year beyond your contract year (does not apply to CDA assessment fee scholarship awardees)

Family Child Care Provider

    • Be 18 years of age or older
    • Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
    • Have a current family child care license operating in Minnesota
    • Have been working under your current child care license for at least the past six months at the time of application
    • Be accepted into an accredited Minnesota college that offers a degree in Child Development or Early Childhood.
    • Be working at least 15 hours per week directly with children for a minimum of 780 hours per year
    • Continue to work under your current child care license for one additional year beyond your contract year (does not apply to CDA assessment fee scholarship awardees)

*Home-based programs are not eligible for this program, ie Early Head Start