TEACH Early Childhood® MICHIGAN links education, compensation and commitment to improving the quality of early education. TEACH Early Childhood® MICHIGAN is a statewide scholarship program designed to help child care center teaching staff, preschool teachers, family child care providers, group home owners, center directors, early childhood professionals and administrators meet their professional development goals, while continuing their current employment in regulated early childhood and school age care settings TEACH Early Childhood® MICHIGAN addresses two major challenges in the early education and care field – low wages and high turnover. The scholarship helps increase compensation and the retention of skilled teachers. The education level of child care providers is one of the most critical indicators of the quality of a child’s experiences in child care.

• CDA® assessment fees
• MI-YDA credential fees
• Credits needed for CDA and MI-YDA training requirements
• Associate and bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education
• Endorsements to teaching licenses: ZN (Birth to Kindergarten) and ZO (Pre-K to 3rd Grade) when combined with a ZN
• Building Foundations: Credits needed for Infant Toddler Caregiver course or Program Administration Course

For more information on what might be the next best step in education for you, visit our Career Directory.

You may be eligible for a TEACH Early Childhood® Michigan scholarship if you:

• Work in a licensed, tribal, or Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) setting at least 20 hours/week directly with children.
• Are pursuing coursework in early childhood education, a CDA, MI-YDA, associates degree, or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education including ZN and ZO endorsements.
• Meet the following income eligibility requirements:
  • Earn no more than $29.90/hour if pursuing credits in ECE, CDA, Associate degree, or Bachelor’s degree coursework
• Work in a program willing to sponsor you on scholarship, or are employed in a stipend scholarship approved program.

TEACH scholarship contracts are for one year each, supporting tuition and fees for up to 18 credits, books, release time (paid time away from work to balance school, work, and family responsibilities), travel costs, and an annual bonus or raise.

TEACH Scholarships must be completed and submitted by the following dates to remain eligible:

October 1 for Winter/Spring 2027 Semester classes
March 1 for Late Spring/Summer 2027 Semester classes

Fall Semester 2026 application submission is no longer available. Incomplete applications after these dates will not qualify for prepayment of tuition, and alternative payment arrangements may need to be made.  Submission of an application does not guarantee award of a scholarship.

CDA and MI-YDA Applicants: Processing times for CDA Scholarship applications are approximately 3-4 months. You may apply for a reimbursement of the CDA assessment or renewal fee or the MI-YDA fee upon receipt of credential.  Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance.

If you have any questions or require assistance in completing your application, please don’t hesitate to contact us at teach@nullmiaeyc.org. We’re here to help!

Please be sure to complete the application in one sitting. The save function is nonfunctional and unreliable.