Early Childhood Education Grants and Scholarships (2026 Guide)

Early childhood education is one of the smartest majors to target with layered aid. A lot of students miss this because they only search for “scholarships,” when the real money often comes from stacking federal grants, state workforce scholarships, and teacher-prep programs together. That matters even more in early childhood, where many programs are designed to help educators already working in child care, Pre-K, Montessori, or birth-to-grade-2 pathways finish credentials and degrees without taking on huge debt. The national T.E.A.C.H. model is a good example: it reports more than 15,000 scholarship recipients, 95% to 97% annual retention, and wage gains for completers.

This page is built for students who want official links only. I included both true early-childhood-specific programs and broader future-teacher scholarships that can work well for students preparing for preschool, child development, elementary, Montessori, or teacher-licensure pathways. Where an official page does not publish one fixed national annual deadline, I list the deadline as “varies by cycle” instead of guessing. That is more honest, and it keeps the page accurate.

Top 50 scholarships and grants

January

1) Christopher K. Smith Memorial Future Teacher Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a nice fit for future educators who want a straightforward scholarship from a teacher-focused organization instead of a giant national sweepstakes-style program. It is not early-childhood-only, but it absolutely belongs on an ECE list because students heading into Pre-K, kindergarten, or elementary teacher-prep tracks can use it. It also works well as a stackable award alongside federal aid and state teacher funding. Smaller teacher scholarships like this can be the difference between covering books, fees, and that last tuition gap.
Amount: Up to $1,000.
Deadline: January 29, 2026.
Apply/Info: https://www.dsea.org/resource-library/scholarships

2) Inspired to Teach (Oklahoma)

Why It Slaps: Oklahoma’s program is bigger than a simple one-time scholarship. It is designed to build an educator pipeline, which makes it especially attractive for students serious about becoming teachers instead of just hunting for a one-semester award. For ECE students in Oklahoma, that matters because the program is tied to real teacher preparation and long-term career entry. If you are an Oklahoma student planning to teach, this is one of the more serious “career-building” awards on the board.
Amount: Up to $25,500.
Deadline: Spring priority deadline January 30, 2026; spring guaranteed-award deadline April 17, 2026.
Apply/Info: https://okhighered.org/otc/inspired-to-teach/

February

3) VSAC Early Childhood Educators Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the most on-topic scholarships on the entire list because it is built specifically around commitment to educating young children. That makes it stronger than generic education scholarships for students who already know they want to work in early learning. It is also valuable because it is administered through a trusted Vermont aid system, which usually means clearer rules and a more established process than random private awards. If you live in the covered Vermont counties and want a scholarship that actually matches your career goal, this is a high-priority application.
Amount: Amount varies by annual scholarship award.
Deadline: February 11, 2026.
Apply/Info: https://www.vsac.org/pay/student-aid-options/scholarships/vsac-assisted-scholarships

4) Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship

Why It Slaps: Indiana built this as a real teacher-pipeline scholarship, not a tiny feel-good award. That is why it stands out. It is especially good for high-achieving students who know early that they want to teach in Indiana, including students planning elementary or early-childhood pathways. Because the annual value is substantial, this is the kind of scholarship that can materially change your college choice list and reduce borrowing.
Amount: Up to $10,000 per year, up to $40,000 total.
Deadline: February 28, 2026.
Apply/Info: https://www.in.gov/che/state-financial-aid/state-financial-aid-by-program/next-generation-hoosier-educators-scholarship/

March

5) AMS Teacher Education Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a strong niche option for students pursuing Montessori teacher preparation, which makes it especially useful for readers who want to work in early childhood but do not want a traditional public-school-only route. Montessori-focused funding is much harder to find than generic teacher scholarships, so this one has real value. It is also backed by a major national organization in the space, which gives it more credibility than smaller independent Montessori awards that appear and disappear.
Amount: Amount varies by fund and annual selection.
Deadline: March 31, 2026, with supporting materials due April 5, 2026.
Apply/Info: https://amshq.org/about-montessori/ams-scholarships/

6) PDK International Scholarship Program

Why It Slaps: This is one of the better broad education scholarship hubs because one application can open the door to many teacher-focused awards. That makes it efficient, which high school seniors often underestimate. If you are pursuing early childhood education, elementary education, or a broader public-education pathway, this is worth doing because it can multiply your chances without forcing you to complete a dozen separate applications. It is also connected to a real professional network in education, which adds long-term value beyond the money.
Amount: Awards generally range from $500 to $4,000.
Deadline: Applications open from the beginning of January until the beginning of April.
Apply/Info: https://pdkintl.org/pdk-scholarship/

7) Robert G. Porter Scholars Program

Why It Slaps: This program is strong for students from union families and for AFT members continuing their own education. It is broader than early childhood, but it still fits well for future ECE teachers because the scholarship supports education-focused study and can reduce out-of-pocket cost during teacher prep. The big advantage here is that it comes from a major national teacher organization, which gives it more stability and recognition than many private awards.
Amount: Four 4-year scholarships worth $8,000 each for dependents of AFT members, plus one-time $1,000 grants for AFT members.
Deadline: Check the current annual cycle; recent 2026 notices list a spring deadline.
Apply/Info: https://www.aft.org/member-benefits/education-learning-opportunities/scholarships/robert-g-porter-scholars-program

May

8) Leon Bradley Scholarship Program

Why It Slaps: This program is especially meaningful for students from underrepresented groups who want to enter education. It is not limited to early childhood, but it absolutely belongs on the list because ECE needs stronger teacher diversity pipelines too. Scholarships like this do more than cover bills; they help future educators build professional identity, visibility, and momentum. For many students, that combination is just as important as the dollar figure.
Amount: Up to $3,500.
Deadline: May 15, 2026.
Apply/Info: https://www.aaspa.org/leon-bradley-scholarship

9) DOVE Grow Your Own Teacher Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the better school-network pipeline programs because it is built around preparing future teachers and then supporting them into the profession. For ECE readers in Oklahoma connected to Dove Schools, the award is big enough to matter, and the mentoring layer makes it stronger than a simple cash scholarship. The program also ties funding to real preparation, real coaching, and real teaching service, which usually means stronger long-term value.
Amount: Up to $20,000 over four years.
Deadline: May 24, 2026.
Apply/Info: https://alumni.doveschools.org/page/dove-grow-your-own-teacher

September–December windows

10) Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This one is a solid choice for students who want a classic future-teacher scholarship with a clean, clearly posted application window. It is useful for ECE majors because it supports the bigger goal of entering teaching, even if the award itself is not exclusively tied to preschool or child development. A posted reopen date also helps students plan ahead instead of scrambling last minute.
Amount: Amount varies by annual cycle.
Deadline: The online application window reopens September 1 and runs through December 31, 2026.
Apply/Info: https://nilrr.org/resources/applegate-teacher-scholarship-application/

11) Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars

Why It Slaps: West Virginia’s program is one of the more serious state teaching commitments on this page. It is built to recruit students into teaching in shortage areas, and that can absolutely include readers preparing for early learning and elementary pathways depending on certification plans. What makes it stand out is structure: the state clearly spells out the application steps, opening period, and deadline. That makes it easier to treat like a real plan instead of a maybe.
Amount: Amount varies by award and service commitment.
Deadline: Preliminary application opens July 15 and has a December 31 deadline.
Apply/Info: https://www.cfwv.com/financial-aid/underwood-smith-teaching-scholars/

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Rolling or variable-cycle programs

12) Federal TEACH Grant

Why It Slaps: This is the most obvious federal program for future teachers, and it belongs near the top of every ECE funding plan. If you want to teach in a high-need field and meet the service obligation, TEACH can be real money. The catch is important: it is not a no-strings grant. If you do not complete the service requirement, it converts to a loan. For students committed to teaching, though, it can be one of the best federal tools available.
Amount: Up to $4,000 per year.
Deadline: Varies by school and federal aid cycle.
Apply/Info: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach

13) Federal Pell Grant

Why It Slaps: Pell is the backbone grant for a huge number of education majors, including early childhood students. It is not ECE-specific, but it is often the first and most important piece of a real aid package. Because so many state ECE scholarships require you to use federal aid first, Pell often acts like the base layer that makes other programs work better. Students who skip FAFSA early can accidentally shrink the rest of their aid stack.
Amount: Need-based federal grant; award amount varies by FAFSA results, enrollment level, and federal schedules.
Deadline: File the FAFSA as early as possible for your academic year.
Apply/Info: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell

14) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Why It Slaps: FSEOG is one of those grants that quietly helps students with the greatest financial need, but it gets overlooked because it is not discussed as often as Pell. For ECE students at participating schools, it can be an excellent stackable add-on. Since schools have limited funds, early filing matters a lot here. That makes it especially useful for organized applicants who do FAFSA early and keep in close touch with their campus aid office.
Amount: Award varies by school and exceptional financial need.
Deadline: Varies by institution; file FAFSA early.
Apply/Info: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/fseog

15) Massachusetts Early Childhood Educators Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the strongest state-specific early-childhood scholarships because it is actually built around the early educator workforce instead of treating education majors as one giant bucket. It supports both prospective and current early educators, which gives it reach beyond the typical freshman-only scholarship model. If you are in Massachusetts and want one of the most directly relevant programs on this page, this is a must-apply.
Amount: Up to $6,750 per semester at UMass or private colleges; up to $4,950 per semester at state universities; up to $3,150 per semester at community colleges.
Deadline: Varies by annual state cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-the-early-childhood-educators-ece-scholarship

16) New York Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the better ECE workforce awards in the country because it is aimed squarely at regulated child care professionals who want to move up through credentials and degrees. That makes it practical, not theoretical. It also works well with New York’s EIP system, which means students may be able to layer support rather than rely on one program. For working students, that is a huge advantage.
Amount: Up to $2,000 for part-time students through the B5 workforce scholarship, with combined potential of up to $4,500 when paired with EIP in the cited guidance.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://earlychildhoodny.org/cdsc/EC_workforce_scholarship.php

17) New York Educational Incentive Program (EIP)

Why It Slaps: EIP is a classic “build your career while you work” scholarship. That makes it especially useful for early childhood students who are already in child care settings and want funding for training, coursework, or credential steps. It may not sound flashy, but programs like this are often more realistic and more usable than one-time national scholarships. If you are already working in New York early childhood, EIP deserves serious attention.
Amount: Award amount varies by training type; some EIP guidance allows up to $2,500 annually in combined support.
Deadline: Varies by training and scholarship category.
Apply/Info: https://www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu/eip.aspx

18) New Mexico ECECD Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is exactly the kind of state-run scholarship early childhood students should prioritize because it is built from the ground up for the field. When a state early childhood department is directly involved, that usually means better alignment with workforce needs and more relevant eligibility rules. For New Mexico students who want to stay in ECE, this is one of the most directly useful official programs available.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship pathway and annual funding.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://ececdscholarship.org/scholarship-information/

19) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Pennsylvania

Why It Slaps: Pennsylvania’s T.E.A.C.H. program is a strong option because it follows the proven model of helping working early educators pay for college while staying in the field. That makes it better aligned with real life than scholarships that expect students to stop working and attend full time. If you want an ECE scholarship with a track record and a workforce-retention mission, this is the type of program you want on your list.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship model.
Deadline: Varies by contract and funding cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.pacca.org/teach_scholarship.php

20) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Florida

Why It Slaps: Florida’s T.E.A.C.H. program is a strong pick for working educators who need a practical path to credentials or degrees. The reason it slaps is simple: it is built for people already doing the work, not just students with perfect traditional-college timelines. For readers balancing classes, child care work, and bills, that design matters. It can turn a “maybe someday” degree plan into something realistic.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship model.
Deadline: Varies by funding cycle.
Apply/Info: https://teach-fl.org/

21) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood New Hampshire

Why It Slaps: New Hampshire’s version of T.E.A.C.H. is useful for the same reason the best ECE workforce programs always are: it supports both educational advancement and field retention. That combination matters because early childhood has long struggled with turnover. If your goal is to build a real career in the field instead of collecting scattered credits, this is the kind of scholarship structure that makes a difference.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship type.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.caphr.org/services/teach-nh

22) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood South Carolina

Why It Slaps: South Carolina’s program is strong for students and current educators who want a verified state pathway rather than chasing random private scholarships. The reason to like it is that it sits inside a broader professional-development ecosystem, which can make application and advising easier. For ECE students in South Carolina, that can mean better support from application through coursework completion.
Amount: Amount varies by model and availability.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.scendeavors.org/professional-development/teach/

23) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Wisconsin

Why It Slaps: Wisconsin’s program is strong because it connects funding to actual progress in early childhood credentials and degrees, not just to a single essay contest. That makes it much more practical for serious future educators. If you are already working in child care or planning to enter the field while studying, this type of scholarship can reduce the usual tradeoff between earning money now and building qualifications for the future.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship model.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://wisconsinearlychildhood.org/programs/t-e-a-c-h/

24) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Michigan

Why It Slaps: Michigan’s T.E.A.C.H. scholarship is attractive because it is built for real workforce movement in early childhood, not just general education majors. If you are planning an associate, bachelor’s, or other approved pathway, this is exactly the kind of program that can keep you moving without blowing up your budget. It is especially good for students who want to stay connected to the field while they earn credentials.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship model.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://miaeyc.org/t-e-a-c-h-scholarships/

25) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood North Carolina

Why It Slaps: North Carolina is where the T.E.A.C.H. model began, so this program carries real legacy in the field. That matters because students can feel more confident when a scholarship model has been tested over time instead of appearing out of nowhere. For early childhood majors, it is one of the clearest examples of how financial aid can be tied to both education and long-term field stability.
Amount: Amount varies by model.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.earlyyearsnc.org/program/teach-nc

26) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Indiana

Why It Slaps: Indiana’s TEACH program is a practical option for students who want support that feels connected to the real early-childhood labor market. That is the big draw here. Instead of acting like everyone is following the same four-year campus-only path, it supports workforce-centered education progress. For ECE students who want to advance while staying grounded in the field, that makes this program worth watching closely.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship model.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://inaeyc.org/programs/teach/

27) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Iowa

Why It Slaps: Iowa’s TEACH program is exactly the kind of scholarship that helps turn “I want to work with young children” into a sustainable plan. It supports professional advancement in a field where wages are often tight, so even moderate funding can have a huge impact. For students in Iowa who want child-development or early-childhood degrees, this is the kind of official state-linked program that should sit high on the list.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship model.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://iowaaeyc.org/programs/teach/

28) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Rhode Island

Why It Slaps: Rhode Island’s TEACH program is valuable because it follows a known, effective national model while still being locally administered. That usually translates into better local guidance and a clearer sense of who actually qualifies. For readers in Rhode Island, it is a very on-brand early-childhood funding option: specific, workforce-connected, and more useful than generic scholarship databases.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship type.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://teach-ri.org/

29) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Minnesota

Why It Slaps: Minnesota’s TEACH scholarship is one of the better options for early childhood and school-age educators who want to keep building education levels without stepping out of work entirely. That is a huge win for students who need a degree pathway that still fits real life. It is also useful because Minnesota publishes practical support tools around the program, which can help applicants understand their share of costs before they commit.
Amount: Amount varies by pathway and cost-sharing model.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.childcareawaremn.org/providers/grants-and-scholarships/teach-scholarships/

30) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Missouri

Why It Slaps: Missouri’s TEACH program is strong because it addresses the actual cost barriers facing early childhood workers instead of pretending small private awards are enough. That makes it a better “serious plan” scholarship than many generic education awards. For students who want to stay in the field while studying, it offers exactly the kind of structure that can make continuing college realistic.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship model.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://mochildcareaware.org/teach-missouri/

31) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Arkansas

Why It Slaps: Arkansas gives early educators access to a recognized scholarship model that is built around actual workforce advancement. That is why it belongs here. It is useful for students who want credentials or degrees and need something more stable than a one-time essay award. Programs like this are often the most realistic way to keep moving toward an ECE career without carrying the whole cost alone.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship model.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://arkansasearlychildhood.org/teach/

32) Arkansas T.E.A.C.H. Career & Technical Education Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This one stands out because it opens a lane for students working toward an early-childhood certificate pathway, including younger students and workforce entrants who are not starting with a traditional bachelor’s plan. That makes it especially useful for readers who want to enter ECE faster and build credentials step by step. Career-technical routes can be underrated, but they often get people into the field sooner and with less debt.
Amount: Amount varies by program structure.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://arkansasearlychildhood.org/teach/cte/

33) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Colorado

Why It Slaps: Colorado’s program is one of the more transparent TEACH sites because it clearly states that it helps educators advance education and career at the same time. That is exactly what ECE students need. It also publishes practical support details, including tuition support and stipends, which makes the program feel more concrete than a vague “aid may be available” page.
Amount: Colorado’s TEACH applicant page says the program covers 90% of tuition and books for center staff and 95% for family child care home providers, plus a semester stipend and completion bonus.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.ecclacolorado.org/teachscholarships

34) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nebraska

Why It Slaps: Nebraska’s TEACH program is appealing because it clearly supports multiple levels, including CDA, associate, and bachelor’s routes. That gives students flexibility, which is a big deal in early childhood education where people often enter at different stages. If you are in Nebraska and want a scholarship path that can grow with you instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all route, this one deserves attention.
Amount: Amount varies by degree or CDA pathway.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.nebraskaaeyc.org/teach.html

35) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nevada

Why It Slaps: Nevada’s program is relevant because it brings the TEACH model into a state where early-childhood workforce development still matters enormously. Even when funding windows tighten, the official pages are still worth tracking because openings can return when funding shifts. For students in Nevada, it is smarter to watch a real official workforce scholarship than to depend only on national education lists.
Amount: Amount varies by available funding and scholarship model.
Deadline: Varies; availability may depend on funding.
Apply/Info: https://nevaeyc.org/about/t-e-a-c-h-nevada/

36) Child Care Aware of Washington Scholarships

Why It Slaps: Washington’s scholarship system is one of the stronger workforce structures in the country because it offers multiple pathways, including bachelor’s degree work in early childhood education and even Montessori credential routes. That is a big deal because it meets students where they are instead of forcing one track. If you are a Washington early learning professional, this is one of the most strategically useful official funding systems on the page.
Amount: Amount varies by pathway; official guidance shows support for bachelor’s ECE pathways, DTA/pre-BA work, and Montessori credential routes.
Deadline: Varies by funding and pathway cycle.
Apply/Info: https://childcareawarewa.org/scholarships/

37) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Maine

Why It Slaps: Maine’s TEACH program is especially good for students who want clear scholarship models linked to partner colleges and universities. It feels practical and field-based, which is exactly what makes good ECE funding useful. Maine also highlights the different degree tracks, helping applicants see whether they fit the program before wasting time on the wrong applications.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship model.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.maineaeyc.org/teach

38) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Ohio

Why It Slaps: Ohio’s TEACH program is great for early childhood students because it explicitly covers tuition, books, and related education expenses. That matters because those “related” costs are often what derail students, not just tuition. If you are in Ohio and want a scholarship that understands how ECE careers are actually built, this is a much better bet than generic education scholarship roundups.
Amount: Amount varies by degree pathway and local availability.
Deadline: Varies by cycle; some bachelor’s pathways may have limited availability.
Apply/Info: https://occrra.org/workforce-development/teach-early-childhood-ohio-overview/

39) Utah’s TEACH Early Childhood Program

Why It Slaps: Utah’s program is attractive because it directly frames itself around closing workforce gaps in early childhood quality, compensation, and retention. That tells you it is not just handing out money at random; it is tied to a real workforce need. For students who want early-childhood degrees with a clear professional purpose, that alignment makes the scholarship more valuable.
Amount: Amount varies by scholarship model.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://uaeyc.org/teach

40) T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Vermont

Why It Slaps: Vermont’s TEACH program is one of the strongest on the page because the state’s official scholarship model highlights debt-free educational opportunities and unusually generous support features. When a program covers tuition, books, stipends, and bonuses, it starts to feel like a real workforce investment instead of partial help. For serious Vermont ECE students, this is elite-tier target funding.
Amount: Vermont’s scholarship-model page says TEACH can fund 100% of tuition and books, provide access stipends, reimburse release time, and include completion bonuses.
Deadline: Varies by cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.vtaeyc.org/teach/

41) Anita Zucker Jewish Early Childhood Education Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the rare scholarships on the page that is tightly focused on early childhood education as a field of study, not just teaching in general. That makes it stand out immediately. It is also a high-value award relative to many other education scholarships. If you fit the program and institution, this is the kind of funding that can materially reshape your cost picture.
Amount: $20,000 per year for three years.
Deadline: Check the current annual cycle on the official page.
Apply/Info: https://www.yu.edu/stern/zucker-scholarship

42) Golden Apple Scholars Program in Illinois

Why It Slaps: Illinois has one of the stronger teacher pipeline ecosystems in the country, and Golden Apple is a big reason why. This program works well for ECE readers because it supports aspiring teachers heading into school-of-need environments, which can absolutely include preschool pathways. It also combines money, mentoring, professional development, and job-placement help, so the value is bigger than just the scholarship line item.
Amount: Golden Apple advertises up to $23,000 in total financial assistance; ISAC says eligible scholars may receive up to $2,500 per year in years one and two and up to $5,000 per year in years three through five.
Deadline: The current page says the application is closed; watch for the next annual cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.goldenapple.org/scholars-illinois

43) Golden Apple Scholars Program in Michigan

Why It Slaps: Michigan’s Golden Apple program is appealing because it supports aspiring educators from high school through early college and connects money with summer professional development and mentoring. That is a very solid combination for students thinking long term. Since it is designed for Pre-K through 12th grade teaching in Michigan, it can fit future early-childhood and elementary educators especially well.
Amount: Up to $15,000 in paid summer professional development across the undergraduate experience.
Deadline: The current page says the application is closed; watch for the next cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.goldenapple.org/scholars-michigan

44) Golden Apple Scholars Program in New Mexico

Why It Slaps: New Mexico’s Golden Apple program is another high-quality teacher-prep option because it combines financial support with real professional development and a pathway into teaching in the state. That makes it more useful than a generic scholarship that disappears once freshman year ends. If you are a New Mexico student interested in early grades, elementary, or broader education work that touches young learners, this is a strong program to watch.
Amount: Up to $15,000 in paid summer professional development across the undergraduate experience.
Deadline: The current page says the application is closed; watch for the next cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.goldenapple.org/scholars-new-mexico

45) Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship

Why It Slaps: Tennessee’s program is a strong state option because it is specifically aimed at getting exemplary students into the teaching profession. That makes it a natural fit for readers pursuing educator-preparation pathways, including early-childhood-related teacher tracks. The award is not massive, but it is official, recurring, and tied to a real state pipeline, which makes it more dependable than many private awards.
Amount: $1,750 per semester, up to $3,500 per academic year on the current College for TN page.
Deadline: Apply through the TSAC Student Portal; annual timing can vary.
Apply/Info: https://www.collegefortn.org/future-teacher-scholarship/

46) Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program (VTSLP)

Why It Slaps: This is a serious state program for students preparing to teach in Virginia shortage areas. While it is structured as a scholarship loan, it is still extremely relevant for future early-childhood or elementary educators who plan to teach where Virginia needs them. The big attraction here is size. Programs with four-figure annual support can change the math of whether finishing a teacher-prep program feels realistic.
Amount: Up to $10,000 per academic year for full-time students, prorated for part-time students.
Deadline: Deadline depends on institutional submission and annual cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/teaching-in-virginia/financial-support/virginia-teaching-scholarship-loan-program-vtslp

47) Arkansas Teacher Opportunity Program

Why It Slaps: This is more specialized than some other items on the page, but it belongs here because it supports teachers returning for additional or dual-licensure training. For ECE readers, that can matter if you want to add credentials or expand your teaching scope over time. It is not a beginner scholarship, but it is exactly the kind of career-advancement funding that helps educators stay and grow in the profession.
Amount: Up to $3,000 per year.
Deadline: Program implementation and annual timing depend on Arkansas state cycle.
Apply/Info: https://adhe.edu/about/scholarships

48) Ohio Grow Your Own Teacher Scholarship Program

Why It Slaps: Ohio’s program is a strong long-game scholarship because it is designed to help districts cultivate future teachers from within their own communities. That idea matters a lot in early childhood and early grades, where local pipeline strength can shape staffing quality for years. If you qualify through an Ohio district or partner setup, this is the kind of official program that can produce meaningful, renewable support.
Amount: Up to $7,500 per academic year for up to four years, with additional summer support possible in program guidance.
Deadline: Varies by district and program cycle.
Apply/Info: https://highered.ohio.gov/grow-your-own

49) VSAC Scholarship for Prospective Early Childhood Educators

Why It Slaps: This is one of the most directly relevant Vermont options because it is aimed at people planning to enter early childhood work and is structured as a forgivable, interest-free loan. That service-based design can be a very good trade if you already know you want to work in Vermont’s regulated ECE settings. For committed future ECE professionals, this is exactly the kind of program worth building your aid strategy around.
Amount: Tuition support through an interest-free forgivable loan structure; exact annual value depends on program and aid package.
Deadline: Check the current Vermont cycle.
Apply/Info: https://www.vsac.org/pay/student-aid-options/scholarships/vsac-assisted-scholarships

50) ACTFL Future Teacher Scholarship Program

Why It Slaps: This is more niche than many items here because it is built for future language teachers, but it is still worth listing for ECE readers pursuing bilingual, language-rich, or early elementary teaching paths. It also stands out because the award is renewable and tied to a professional association. That professional identity piece can be very valuable for students who want both funding and a clearer route into teaching.
Amount: $1,500 per academic year, renewable up to a cumulative total of $6,000.
Deadline: The official page says the call for applications will reopen in Spring 2026.
Apply/Info: https://www.languageconnectsfoundation.org/programs-initiatives/scholarships-awards

Final take

For most students, the strongest early childhood aid strategy is not “find one perfect scholarship.” It is:

1. File FAFSA early for Pell, FSEOG, and possible TEACH eligibility.

2. Apply to your state’s early-childhood workforce scholarship if you live in a TEACH or ECE-scholarship state.

3. Add 3 to 8 teacher-pipeline scholarships from the national and state list above.