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Early Childhood Education Scholarship

Funded by the ECE PDO at Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC)

PHMC ECE PDO logo

The Early Childhood Education Scholarship funded by PHMC offers teachers who currently work in a childcare setting the opportunity to become certified PreK-4 teachers. The scholarship is also an alternative option to teachers who may not be eligible for the TEACH PA Scholarship. The scholarship covers 100% of a student’s tuition. Non-tuition expenses (books, lost compensation from student teaching, etc.) may also be covered. The scholarship covers at least 18 credit hours, the equivalent of 6 courses per year. Students will have the opportunity to renew their scholarship each year.

Which programs are covered by the scholarship?

What are the Eligibility Requirements?

  • You agree to all of the scholarship conditions listed in the OCDEL Commitment Form. You must agree to remain employed in Pennsylvania working with children ages 0 – 8 for a minimum of two years, immediately after graduation. This form must be signed and returned before the scholarship will be approved. Please email the Commitment Form to Dr. Michael Haslip at haslip@drexel.edu at the same time that you submit the Scholarship Application Form (see, “How do I Apply” below). 
  • You currently work in an early childhood education center for a minimum of 25 hours a week and are a PA resident
  • Students must work in one of the following counties to qualify for these funds at Drexel: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia. If you work outside these 5 counties, served by the PHMC PDO, please contact the PASHE PDO to determine which universities may offer the PDO scholarship in your county.
  • You do not qualify for the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship for some reason (e.g., your employer is not financially able to pay the 5% TEACH co-pay).
  • You qualify for T.E.A.C.H. but need to enroll in coursework sooner than T.E.A.C.H. can accommodate. For example, if T.E.A.C.H. funds are exhausted for the remainder of the academic year, or you are currently wait-listed for T.E.A.C.H. and want to start classes immediately, then this scholarship can fill the gap. 
  • Funds are only available for teachers working in a DHS-licensed childcare center/Keystone STARS program

How do I Apply?

Application Process:

To apply, please complete the PHMC PDO Scholarship Application Form. Please also direct questions to Dr. Haslip.

The online application form addresses the following information:

  • Applicant name, phone number, email address, and home address
  • Your employer and the number of hours you work per week currently.
    • If unemployed: be sure to address your intent to immediately return to ECE employment once COVID-19 related complications have lifted. You need to have prior work experience in an ECE center to apply. Address your years of prior work experience in ECE in your letter.
  • The program you are seeking to attend (e.g., online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with PK – 4 certification)
  • Explain why you do not qualify for the TEACH scholarship or why it is not available to you right now, if you do qualify for it. 
  • Explain how/why you meet any other scholarship criteria listed above, such as working in West Philadelphia, etc.
  • The business name, address and star designation of your ECE center.
  • Name and contact information of the center director.

Deadline: Rolling application and review process during the 23-24 academic year. There is no set deadline, it is a year-round rolling application, review and admission process contingent upon current grant fund availability. 

  • Please email the director to ask if awards remain available prior to submitting your application. Applicants meeting all required and priority qualifications (see "what are the requirements" above), and who complete the application fully and correctly, will be awarded a scholarship on a first come, first serve basis.

Application review and decision-making process

  • Your transcripts and personal statement will be reviewed on the basis of meeting the required and priority qualifications (above) and on the basis of your ability to maintain a 3.0 GPA while at Drexel, to persist and persevere and to maintain a spirit of collegiality with faculty and students during your time at Drexel. 
  • Note: you can apply for the ECE scholarship funded by PHMC before you apply to Drexel. If your scholarship is accepted, you will be instructed to apply to Drexel for admission. If your application to Drexel itself is declined, the scholarship likewise cannot be awarded.

Textbook Reimbursement Instructions

The ECE PDO scholarship funded by PHMC will pay for 100% of your textbook costs if you follow the procedures below and meet the deadlines provided. Allow 4 weeks to receive payment which will come in the form of a mailed check from the university.

Deadlines

Failure to submit a reimbursement request before these deadlines may result in the request being denied.

  • Your request for reimbursement with accompanying documentation must be received within 45 days of the date you purchased the textbooks or materials.
  • If you are buying books for the Spring quarter, the final deadline to request reimbursement is May 31.

Procedures

  1. The student purchases the textbook(s) from any vendor.
  2. The student submits a textbook reimbursement request to the grant manager, Tammy DelleFave, td675@drexel.edu, by email with the following information:
    1. In the subject line:
      • Textbook Reimbursement Request – Your Full Name - $ Amount
    2. Student’s Full Name
    3. Home Address
    4. Student Drexel ID number
    5. Name of the course(s) associated with the books
    6. Invoice or receipt showing payment. This receipt should be saved and attached as a PDF document for clear viewing. If the invoice or receipt is unclear or incomplete it will need to be resent.
  3. The student CC’s Dr. Michael Haslip on the email for approval.
  4. The grant manager processes the request and has a check mailed to the student’s address.
  5. If you need assistance for any reason, such as the inability to pay for your book(s) up front, please contact Dr. Michael Haslip, haslip@drexel.edu. 

Questions?

For questions about the Early Childhood Education Scholarship funded by PHMC, please contact Dr. Michael Haslip at haslip@drexel.edu.