News
May 2019
T.E.A.C.H. Funding Update for Fiscal Year 2019-2020
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) supports the degree attainment for early childhood educators through two scholarship programs in Pennsylvania, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® PENNSYLVANIA and Rising STARS Tuition Assistance (RSTA). In order to maximize Federal and State funding and streamline the scholarship options in PA, the requirements for eligibility under each program are changing for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Effective July 1, 2019, new criteria will be used to determine eligibility under each scholarship program - click here for more information on what will be funded through T.E.A.C.H. and RSTA.
Beginning July 1, 2019, OCDEL will prioritize public funding for T.E.A.C.H. scholarships to support students pursuing coursework toward the following:
PLEASE NOTE: T.E.A.C.H. participants currently receiving scholarships for the CDA Credential, Infant Toddler Certificate or Director Credential will NOT be impacted by this change. Questions about T.E.A.C.H.? Contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at teachinfo@pacca.org or (717) 657-9000.
For more information on funding for early childhood credentials and certificates through Rising STARS Tuition Assistance (RSTA), visit this link or contact Amber Repman at ambrep@pakeys.org or (717) 213-2071.
January 2019
T.E.A.C.H. Funding Update for 2019!
PACCA has filled all available T.E.A.C.H. scholarship slots for the upcoming Winter and Spring 2019 semesters. As a result all new eligible applicants will be wait listed until additional funding becomes available. PLEASE NOTE: Current recipients will continue to receive funding for the remainder of this fiscal year.
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is deeply committed to investing in the early care and education workforce's educational attainment. OCDEL's tuition assistance funds both the T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship (administered by PACCA) and Rising STARS (administered by the PA Key) programs. Although OCDEL expanded funding for T.E.A.C.H. and Rising Stars this fiscal year, the demand for scholarships has steadily increased over the new investments.
To help students still enroll for the Spring 2019 semester, OCDEL has indicated that any T.E.A.C.H. applicant who is eligible, but waiting for funding can apply for Rising STARS Tuition Assistance (through the PA Key) in the interim. Applicants can apply for tuition assistance for semester(s) occurring between now and June 30, 2019. PACCA will notify the PA Key of any eligible T.E.A.C.H applicants waiting for funding; the PA Key will then grant those applicants access to the Rising STARS Tuition Assistance application via an e-mail sent through the PD Registry.
IMPORTANT: This temporary access to Rising STARS Tuition Assistance will only be made available to individuals who have applied to T.E.A.C.H. and who are eligible, but wait listed for funding. Any staff interested in applying for T.E.A.C.H. for upcoming semesters, should still submit an application ASAP. Submitting an application helps PACCA to demonstrate the need for scholarships and make the case for additional funding from new sources. It also helps students to arrange for their financial assistance needs prior to their desired semester.
For more information on how to apply for T.E.A.C.H. or to download a scholarship application, click here. If you have questions or need more information, please contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at teachinfo@pacca.org or (717) 657-9000.
November 2017
Apply NOW for the Spring 2018 semester!
Winter hasn’t even arrived yet, but Spring 2018 semesters will begin in just about two months. If you are interested in starting college classes for January 2018 - NOW is the time to get started! Colleges and universities will close for winter break in approximately 4-6 weeks. Be sure to contact a college advisor immediately, so you can complete the admissions process and register for classes before January.
Visit https://www.pacca.org/how_to_apply.php to download a T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship application. Or contact our office and speak to a Scholarship Counselor about next steps. We are here to help you get started on reaching your educational goals! You can reach our staff at (717) 657-9000 or teachinfo@pacca.org.
August 2016
Pennsylvania Restores Public Funds to T.E.A.C.H.
T.E.A.C.H. Funding Update for Fiscal Year 2019-2020
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) supports the degree attainment for early childhood educators through two scholarship programs in Pennsylvania, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® PENNSYLVANIA and Rising STARS Tuition Assistance (RSTA). In order to maximize Federal and State funding and streamline the scholarship options in PA, the requirements for eligibility under each program are changing for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Effective July 1, 2019, new criteria will be used to determine eligibility under each scholarship program - click here for more information on what will be funded through T.E.A.C.H. and RSTA.
Beginning July 1, 2019, OCDEL will prioritize public funding for T.E.A.C.H. scholarships to support students pursuing coursework toward the following:
- Associate degrees in Early Childhood Education (or an approved equivalent)
- Bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education (or an approved equivalent)
- PreK-4 Teacher Certification (Level I and Level II)
PLEASE NOTE: T.E.A.C.H. participants currently receiving scholarships for the CDA Credential, Infant Toddler Certificate or Director Credential will NOT be impacted by this change. Questions about T.E.A.C.H.? Contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at teachinfo@pacca.org or (717) 657-9000.
For more information on funding for early childhood credentials and certificates through Rising STARS Tuition Assistance (RSTA), visit this link or contact Amber Repman at ambrep@pakeys.org or (717) 213-2071.
January 2019
T.E.A.C.H. Funding Update for 2019!
PACCA has filled all available T.E.A.C.H. scholarship slots for the upcoming Winter and Spring 2019 semesters. As a result all new eligible applicants will be wait listed until additional funding becomes available. PLEASE NOTE: Current recipients will continue to receive funding for the remainder of this fiscal year.
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is deeply committed to investing in the early care and education workforce's educational attainment. OCDEL's tuition assistance funds both the T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship (administered by PACCA) and Rising STARS (administered by the PA Key) programs. Although OCDEL expanded funding for T.E.A.C.H. and Rising Stars this fiscal year, the demand for scholarships has steadily increased over the new investments.
To help students still enroll for the Spring 2019 semester, OCDEL has indicated that any T.E.A.C.H. applicant who is eligible, but waiting for funding can apply for Rising STARS Tuition Assistance (through the PA Key) in the interim. Applicants can apply for tuition assistance for semester(s) occurring between now and June 30, 2019. PACCA will notify the PA Key of any eligible T.E.A.C.H applicants waiting for funding; the PA Key will then grant those applicants access to the Rising STARS Tuition Assistance application via an e-mail sent through the PD Registry.
IMPORTANT: This temporary access to Rising STARS Tuition Assistance will only be made available to individuals who have applied to T.E.A.C.H. and who are eligible, but wait listed for funding. Any staff interested in applying for T.E.A.C.H. for upcoming semesters, should still submit an application ASAP. Submitting an application helps PACCA to demonstrate the need for scholarships and make the case for additional funding from new sources. It also helps students to arrange for their financial assistance needs prior to their desired semester.
For more information on how to apply for T.E.A.C.H. or to download a scholarship application, click here. If you have questions or need more information, please contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at teachinfo@pacca.org or (717) 657-9000.
November 2017
Apply NOW for the Spring 2018 semester!
Winter hasn’t even arrived yet, but Spring 2018 semesters will begin in just about two months. If you are interested in starting college classes for January 2018 - NOW is the time to get started! Colleges and universities will close for winter break in approximately 4-6 weeks. Be sure to contact a college advisor immediately, so you can complete the admissions process and register for classes before January.
Visit https://www.pacca.org/how_to_apply.php to download a T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship application. Or contact our office and speak to a Scholarship Counselor about next steps. We are here to help you get started on reaching your educational goals! You can reach our staff at (717) 657-9000 or teachinfo@pacca.org.
August 2016
Pennsylvania Restores Public Funds to T.E.A.C.H.