Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Eligibility

Gateways to Opportunity Scholarships are awarded on the basis of income and commitment to early care and education or school-age care. Those who would like to attend a participating institution to complete coursework may apply for a scholarship.

Eligibility requirements for the Gateways Scholarship Program include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work in an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) licensed full-day/full-year child care center or family/group child care home in one of the following positions:
  • family child care provider
  • family child care assistant
  • group home provider
  • group home assistant    

OR

• Work in an IDCFS licensed school-age care program operating nine months per year in one of the following positions:
  • Center director
  • assistant director
  • teacher
  • assistant teacher
  • school-age teacher
  • school-age assistant

OR

• Work in a Preschool for All (PFA) program that operates for a minimum of nine months per year in one of the following positions:
  • teacher
  • teacher’s aide

Applicants must also meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Care for Illinois children.
• Have been employed at current center or home, working at least 15 hours per week, for a minimum of one year.
• Have been employed at a public school PFA program one full-year.
• Work 15 hours per week on a continuous employment basis (includes work and benefit time).
• Meet wage requirements.
• Be a citizen of the United States or legal resident.
• Commit to future work in early care and education or school-age care based on scholarship type.

*Additional documentation may be required upon review of your application. Gateways Scholarships are awarded dependent upon availability of funding.