Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship and AssistanceThe Gateways Scholarship Program offers one-year scholarship contracts that offer scholarships up to a maximum of 15 semester hours per year (equivalent quarter hours) over a three-term period (equivalent quarter terms). First time scholarship recipients will only be allowed to register for up to six semester hours (equivalent quarter hours) during the first term of their contract.
Gateways Scholarship can be used to earn: - Coursework for advancement on the Great START Wage Supplement Scale.
- Associate, Bachelor, or Master degrees in Early Childhood Education (ECE)/Child Development.
- Leadership/Administration degree not specific to ECE, but appropriate to an ECE Administrative position.
- Coursework for Gateways to Opportunity credentials.
- 100% Reimbursement for initial Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
- 100% Reimbursement for initial Child Care Professional (CCP) Credential.
- Coursework for Illinois Type 04 Certification.
The Gateways Scholarship Program pays up to 100% of a maximum rate determined annually based on the highest tuition amount charged for undergraduate resident tuition rate at a state university or community college. Gateways Scholarship Program also pays a maximum rate determined annually based on the highest amount charged for tuition at a state university for master level coursework. (Tuition rates for both bachelor and master levels are based on current school year rate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.) The percentages paid by the Gateways Scholarship Program and the recipient for tuition, fees, and books are determined through a sliding income scale, which is based upon the recipient’s child care position. The program will only pay for fees that are associated with the courses being taken.
| % Gateways Scholarship Program Would Pay | % Applicant Would Pay | Hourly Wage | Gross Yearly Wage
Working Full Time | | 90 | 10 | Up to $12.50 | Up to $26,020.00 | | 80 | 20 | $12.51–$15.00 | $26,021.00–$31,220.00 | | 70 | 30 | $15.01–$18.00 | $31,221.00–$37,459.00 | | 60 | 40 | $18.01–$21.00 | $37,460.00–$43,699.00 | | 50 | 50 | $21.01–$24.00 | $43,700.00–$49,920.00 |
Scholarship recipients may also receive a bonus, based upon credit hours completed and their cumulative GPA for a one-year contract.
| GPA | 4.0 | 3.0–3.9 | 2.0–2.9 | | Bonus | $150.00 | $100.00 | $75.00 |
A work commitment is required for recipients completing a contract, degree, or credential. The work commitment to early care and education or school-age child care is dependent upon coursework completed and scholarship type. Work commitment is defined as follows:
- 6 months for CDA/CCP completion
- 1 year for completion of coursework contract
- 1 year for Associate’s in Arts (AA) completion
- 2 years for Bachelor’s of Science (BS) or Master’s of Science (MS) completion
Full completion of a work commitment period can result in a bonus as follows:
6 months for
CDA/CCP—$100.00 | 1 year per
contract—$200.00 | 1 year for
AA—$400.00 | 2 years for BS and
MS—$1,000.00 |
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