Academic Scholarships
You may qualify for scholarships or reimbursements to earn academic credits or a degree in Early Childhood Education. Find the right opportunity for you!
If you have questions, please email academicscholarships@idahoaeyc.org.
Available Opportunities
Workforce Scholarship
$2000-$5000 annual scholarship
Deadline: June 1
Who: Early care and education professionals who:
- work directly with children, parents, and staff 19 hours per week or more in a licensed child care setting
- have one year or more experience in the field of ECE
- have been employed for six months or longer in their current child care facility
- are pursuing an early childhood education degree pathway at an accredited Idaho college or university (at least part-time).
This scholarship is renewable every year until degree completion. Recipient must maintain employment in child care and 2.5 per semester GPA for duration of the scholarship.
Apply through your RISE dashboard.
Single Course Scholarship
Deadline: Separate applications are due before each semester:
- fall: June 15
- winter/spring: November 15
- summer: April 15
Who: Early care and education professionals who are working directly with children, parents and staff 15 hours per week or more in a licensed child care setting.
To be eligible, you must be taking a single course in early childhood education or closely related field at an Idaho college or university that will improve quality practices with young children.
The scholarship pays for the entire cost of a single ECE course tuition and associated class fees. One single course scholarship may be awarded each semester.
Apply through your RISE dashboard.
Future Educator Scholarship
Freshman scholarship: $2,000 - $5,000
Deadline: June 1
Who: Graduating Idaho high school seniors entering an early childhood education degree pathway at an accredited Idaho college or university.
Highly qualified candidates will have met one or more of the following criteria:
- Successfully completed an ECE pathway or ECE coursework in high school.
- Achieved career readiness through work experience in an early care and education setting.
- Demonstrated a clear passion for a career in Early Childhood Education through their application essay and letter of recommendation.
Non-renewable award – recipient may transfer to an IdahoSTARS Workforce Scholarship if employment in the field is obtained, and eligibility requirements are met.
Email academicscholarships@idahoaeyc.org for application details and forms.
Emerging Leaders Master's Degree Scholarship
Who: Those in the field of ECE who currently hold a bachelor’s degree and are dedicated to a career and leadership in child care, preschool, and out of school time care for young children in Idaho.
Boise State University (BSU)
Deadline: March 1
The BSU Emerging Leaders program offers a unique pathway through the MEd in early and special education program with a focus on early childhood education, leadership in the field, and applied action research.
- three-year fully funded ($7000 annually)
- part-time
- online
Requires admission to graduate school at BSU, separate IdahoSTARS scholarship application, and selection for Emerging Leaders Pathway through a joint BSU/IdahoSTARS review and interview process.
Review the Boise State University Program Information and Application Guidelines.
Please email academicscholarships@idahoaeyc.org for IdahoSTARS Emerging Leaders Scholarship application instructions.
University of Idaho (U of I)
A unique pathway through the Master of Science in Family and Consumer Science program with an emphasis in child development, focusing on leadership in the field of ECE. Thesis and non-thesis tracks are available.
- two-year fully funded ($10,000 annually)
- full-time
- in-person/hybrid
Requires admission to graduate school at U of I, separate IdahoSTARS scholarship application, and selection for Emerging Leaders Pathway through a review and interview process.
Review the Uof I Program Information and Application Guidelines.
Please email Ling Ling Tsao at University of Idaho ltsao@uidaho.edu for U of I Emerging Leaders Program application instructions.
Please email academicscholarships@idahoaeyc.org for IdahoSTARS Emerging Leaders Scholarship application instructions.