Professional Career Pathway Project (PCPP) Grant
The PCPP Grant is sponsored by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), Child Care Administration (CCA). It is offered at many community colleges throughout Arizona, for Early Childhood Education classes only, and is for individuals employed as child caregivers.
The PCPP Offers
- Tuition for 1 to 6 credits per semester (total 12 credits per school year)
- Textbook stipend of $10 per credit each semester
- For DES certified Family Child Care providers or DHS certified Family Group Home providers:
- Initial Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) assessment fee paid ($325) – seewww.cdacouncil.org
- Initial National Association of Family Child Care Accreditation (NAFCC) Accreditation fee paid ($495) – see www.NAFCC.org
PCPP Eligibility
- Must work in a child care center or be a family child care provider or be a family group home provider/employee;
- Must identify a pathway (goal) and pursue early care and education coursework to accomplish your goal; and
- Must complete all courses paid for by the PCPP with a grade of “C” or better to be eligible for continued scholarships.
If you meet the PCPP Grant eligibility criteria contact:
Mary "Corki" Stewart, Early Care and Education Programs Director
mary.stewart@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7935
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship
Teacher Education And Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) Early Childhood® ARIZONA is awarding numerous scholarships for the early care and education workforce to return to college to pursue their Associates Degree or receive a Child Development Associate (CDA) Assessment. These scholarships provide a significant amount of support for college tuition, books, travel, paid release time and bonuses for successful completion of college coursework. MCC is one of the colleges participating in the program. See also http://asccaz.org/teachaz.html
T.E.A.C.H. Eligibility Criteria
Child care center teachers, directors, and family child care home providers may be eligible for a scholarship if they:
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Are employed in the state of Arizona
- Work in a licensed, certified or tribally regulated dhild care center or family child care home.
- Work a minimum of 30 hours a week directly with young children, ages birth-5 or work as a director of a center that serves children, ages birth-5 (Associates Degree Scholarship); or work a minimum of 20 hours a week directly with young children, ages birth-5 (CDA Assessment Scholarship)
- Have the sponsorship of one's employing center or home
- Earn $20.00 or less per hour
If you meet the TEACH Early Childhood scholarship eligibility criteria contact:
Mary "Corki" Stewart, Early Care and Education Programs Director
mary.stewart@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7935
H.E. Hendrix Scholarship
The Herman E. Hendrix (1880-1948) scholarship is specifically for Mesa Community College students majoring in Education. The award to high school seniors is $2,000 ($1,000 per semester) for full-time enrollment. The award to continuing MCC students is $1000 ($500 per semester) for full-time enrollment; pro-rated for less than full-time enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria for High School Seniors:
- Must be a graduating senior from a Mesa or Tempe high school.
- Must be enrolled or plan to enroll full-time in education curricula.
- Must have earned at least a 2.5 cumulative high school GPA.
- Must be studying elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education or child development.
- Must plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree in the education field.
- Must submit a program of study signed by the Education Advisor (480-461-7890) with the scholarship application.
- Renewal of the scholarship for recipients is automatic for the second year provided the student meets the following criteria:
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better;
- Continued full-time enrollment in an education-related curricula; and
- Completion and passing grades in all courses taken the previous year (including summer school).
Eligibility Criteria for Continuing MCC Students
- Must be studying elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education or child development.
- Must plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree in the education field.
- Must be enrolled or plan to enroll at least half-time in education curricula.
- Must have completed 12 credit hours at MCC with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Must not have any withdrawals (W,Y) on transcripts.
- Must submit a program of study signed by the Education Advisor (480-461-7890) with the scholarship application.
Apply by completing a Maricopa Colleges Foundation application at http://www.maricopa.edu/foundation
Other Scholarship Search Options:
Federal TEACH Grant
In 2007 the U.S. Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, students must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. Grant recipients must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which you received a TEACH Grant. For complete details, click on this FAFSA link:http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/TEACH.jsp
** NOTE: The federal TEACH Grant program is not available at MCC, since a full teacher certification program is not offered at the college. However, MCC teaching majors are encouraged to ask their transfer university if that institution is participating in the program for bachelor's degrees in education.
ABOR Arizona Loan Forgiveness Program
The Arizona Loan Forgiveness Program for Math, Science and Special Education Teachers through the Arizona Board of Regents allows selected students to take out loans which will be subsequently “forgiven” for those who meet specific teaching requirements. The program is designed to encourage talented students to enter the teaching profession and teach in Arizona. This program requires a commitment to teaching Math and/or Science in a middle school or high school, or Special Education in K-12. The loan may cover up to the cost of in-state tuition, mandatory fees, and materials. The loan can be received for up to five years of full-time enrollment. For complete details, refer to the ABOR website at www.azregents.edu.
** NOTE: The state's ABOR Loan Forgiveness Program is not available at MCC, since a full teacher certification program is not offered at the college. However, MCC teaching majors are encouraged to ask their transfer university if that institution is participating in the program for bachelor's degrees in education.
