NJ Early Childhood Scholarship Program
Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is eligible for the NJ Early Childhood Scholarship from Professional Impact NJ?

A. Individuals who are permanent teaching staff working 30 hours or more in a licensed child care center that has a contract with an Abbott district to provide preschool programs or that is classified as a Center Based Care (CBC) Agency.

Q. What college programs are covered by this scholarship program?

A. The Professional Impact NJ Early Childhood Scholarship Program will cover eligible individuals to
obtain an AA, BA, and required courses for the Alternate Route P-3 certification on the
graduate level.

Q. How much funding can I receive?

A. Individuals pursuing college courses are eligible for up to $5,000 per school year.

Q. Is there an income eligibility requirement for this scholarship?

A. No.

Q. Can I attend any college of my choice?

A. Individuals pursuing an undergraduate degree can attend any accredited NJ college of their choice.
Individuals pursuing the P-3 certification must attend a New Jersey approved college. Keep in mind that tuition rates vary and the maximum scholarship is $5,000 per school year.

Q. Which schools are approved for P-3 certification?

A. Click here for P-3 certification approved colleges

Q. How many classes can I take each semester?

A. You may take a maximum of 9 credits on scholarship and receive a "B" or better in all classes AND
successfully maintain a 2.75 grade point average. When making this decision, keep in mind
your life situation and other obligations.

Q. What happens if I do not pass a class with a B, fail a class, or withdraw from a class?

A. If you fail or receive below a B in class, you will have to pay back all
funding for these classes. If you withdraw from a class, depending on when
you withdrew, you will have to pay back a portion or all of the funding for these classes.

Q. Will this scholarship pay for any other program?

A. Scholarship funding is also available for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential,
and the Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) credential. The CDA credential can be obtained for college credit or non-credit.

Q. How long must I remain in the DHS-contracted Center?

A. You must remain at the same DHS-contracted center for the duration of your coursework and for one year following the completion of coursework. Failure to do so will result in your having to pay back funds.

Notes:
Before applying for and accepting this scholarship, read the application carefully and call the scholarship office if you have any questions.

By signing the scholarship application, you are signing an agreement which you are expected to comply with, or you will have to pay back funding received.

When choosing a college, you may have several institutions to choose from. To make your choice, you may want to consider such factors as the schedule and location of courses offered and the overall requirements for graduation. Keep in mind that tuition costs vary and selecting a college with lower tuition costs will extend your funding to cover more credits.

The scholarship does not cover optional fees such as:

• Late registration fee
• Late payment fee
• Health insurance fee
• Book store fee
• Parking fee
• Certification application fee

To request an application please call (973) 391-2633