What is the Maine Roads Scholarship Program?

The Maine Roads Scholarship Program gives money to help pay the costs of earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a college degree at any level from Associate to Doctorate.

CDA Scholarship Application

Degree Scholarship Application

Eligibility to Apply

• Any Maine resident who is employed in a licensed or certified center-based, home-based, or school-age program in the state is eligible to apply to the Scholarship Program.
• Federal Income Guidelines must also be met - they cannot exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Level
  
  Family Size - 300% Poverty Level for 2009
  1 - $31,200.00
  2 - $42,000.00
  3 - $52,800.00
  4 - $63,600.00
  5 - $74,400.00
  6 - $85,200.00
  7 - $96,000.00
  8 - $106,800.00
  9 - $117,600.00
  10 - $128,400.00
  

How the Scholarship can be used

Scholarships can be used to pay for:

CDA Advisement services – Practitioners who are enrolled in the Maine Roads Core Knowledge Training Program through a Maine Resource Development Center (RDC) can apply for scholarship money to support the cost of Field Advisement Services. Practitioners must have completed 45 hours of training at the time of the scholarship application and be planning to use a minimum of 90 hours of Maine Roads training to meet the CDA requirement of 120 hours of Core Knowledge Training.

CDA Coursework through an agency or college – Maine Roads supports enrollment in CDA programs sponsored by Maine agencies or institutions offering credit bearing coursework leading to a CDA. Maine Roads does not support the cost of non-credit or out-of-state programs.

CDA Assessment Fee – Eligible scholarship applicants can receive the $325 Assessment Fee once they have met all of the CDA requirements and are ready to apply to the Council of Professional Recognition for their Verification visit. Maine Roads does not cover the cost of the CDA Direct Assessment application packet.

Click here for more information on the Child Development Associate (CDA.)

College Coursework as part of a degree program – Students must be formally accepted into a credit bearing early childhood education program. Eligible courses of study are available at many Maine colleges and universities. Examples of eligible degree programs include: Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development, Recreation and Leisure Services with a Special Needs Focus, Social Work with an emphasis on Early Childhood, Child Care Leadership and Administration, and Early Childhood Education Certification 282 DOE Endorsement.

Scholarships can be used to help pay the cost of tuition, books and fees for courses taken during the academic year, CDA Advisement services, and/or the CDA Assessment Fee. The scholarship pays up to $300 per course for CDA and Associate degree courses and up to $600 per course towards Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral level coursework. On average the awards range from $300-$900 per year for CDA Coursework, $150 for CDA Advisement Services, $325 for the CDA Assessment Fee, up to $2000 for undergraduate programs ( CDA, AS & BS degrees), and up to $2400 per year for Master’s and Doctoral programs. The total cost of attending the program may not be fully covered by Maine Roads funds. Students should contact the school/program in which they want to enroll to discuss the costs of attending and the types of financial assistance or payment plans available.

How to apply

Scholarship funding is limited, so applicants should mail completed applications and required documentation to Maine Roads before the July 1 st and November 1 st deadlines. Applications are reviewed by members of the Maine Roads Scholarship Committee. Selection and level of financial awards are determined by completeness of the application, income eligibility, work experience in the field, goal statements, course enrollment and any special circumstances regarding an applicant’s need for financial assistance. The money awarded is the total award for the academic year. Applicants are notified by mail of their scholarship status, and an eligibility letter is sent to their work site/ agency and/or college. Payment of scholarship funds will be arranged with the agency or college business office. Maine Roads does not reimburse recipients directly.

For more information, contact:

Director: Allyson Dean
adean@usm.maine.edu
Phone: (207) 780-5833

Administrative Assistant: Kathy Tombarelli
ktombarelli@usm.maine.edu
Phone: (207) 228-8331