The Curtis Fund Commitment: A Comprehensive Scholarship for Early Childhood Educators

Geographic Scope: Vermont

Program Type: Comprehensive scholarship covering full cost of attendance

Focus Area: Early childhood education career pathway

What is Funded:

• Full cost of attendance including:
  • Tuition
  • Fees
  • Housing
  • Food
  • Transportation

Educational Institution:

• Community College of Vermont (CCV)
• Child Care Certificate program
• 24-hour credit program
• Students must obtain one year of classroom experience to qualify as Teacher Associate

Target Population:

• Vermonters seeking to become early childhood educators
• Graduates from career and technical education programs focused on early childhood education and/or human services
• 12 such programs exist across Vermont
• High school juniors and seniors

Key Facts:

• Addresses shortage of early childhood educators in Vermont
• Teacher Associates could fill estimated 1,600 of 2,090 openings for early childhood educators in Vermont
• Certificates are "stackable," allowing students to continue to associate or bachelor's degrees
• Students graduate debt-free
• Funded by anonymous donor for pilot program
• Partnership with Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC)

Career Outcome:

• U.S. Department of Labor estimates median annual wage for child care worker in Vermont is $29,430
• Program addresses financial burden for students entering low-wage field

First Recipients:

• Addie Riche (Patricia Hannaford Career Center/Middlebury Union High School)
• Emily Cousino (Patricia Hannaford Career Center/Mount Abraham Union Middle and High School)
• Tela Dykes (Burr and Burton Academy)

Contact Information:

• Email: teachearlychildhoodvermont@vtaeyc.org
• Phone: 802-387-0870
• Website: ccv.edu/curtisfund or vtaeyc.org
• Additional contact: lphilie@thecurtisfund.org

Partnerships:

• Community College of Vermont (CCV)
• Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC)
• Let's Grow Kids (workforce development support)

Application Process

How to Apply:

1. Contact Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) at teachearlychildhoodvermont@vtaeyc.org or 802-387-0870
2. Or visit ccv.edu/curtisfund for more information and application details
3. Applications are accepted on rolling basis

Application Components:
Specific application requirements not detailed in provided materials.

Information Sessions:

• The Curtis Fund and VTAEYC host virtual information sessions
• Prospective students encouraged to register at vtaeyc.org/events/

Guidance and Support:

• Scholarship recipients receive guidance from professionals at Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC)
• Professional support with postsecondary education and career decisions

Eligible Programs:

• Graduates from 12 career and technical education programs focused on early childhood education/human services across Vermont
• Community College of Vermont Child Care Certificate program (24-hour credit program)

Next Steps:
Contact VTAEYC or CCV for specific deadline dates and current application materials