To best serve the diverse needs of the child care professionals in the state, T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI has created three main scholarship models. The scholarship models are based on the educational goals of the applicant, and the support of the sponsoring employer. Find the model that is right for you and your child care employer.
Entry Associate Degree Scholarships are most often used by teachers, directors, and owners wishing to earn college credits as an introduction to early childhood education, or early childhood special education at Missouri 2-year colleges. It can also be used to complete required credits towards a specific goal such as Missouri Director Certification, Child Development Associate Credential, or Accreditation. The Entry Associate Degree Scholarship is considered an introductory model with basic benefits and is nonrenewable past one year. Learn more.
Associate Degree Scholarships are for teachers, directors, and owners seeking an Associate degree, AA, AAS, or AAT in early childhood education or early childhood special education. Both general education and early childhood courses are supported at Missouri 2-year colleges. This scholarship model can be maintained for as many years as it takes to earn a degree based on available funding through T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI. Learn more.
Bachelor Degree Scholarships are most often used by teachers, directors, and owners wishing to take early childhood and general education courses towards a Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education or early childhood special education. Both general education and early childhood courses are supported at Missouri 4-year colleges. This scholarship model can be maintained for as many years as it takes to earn a degree based on available funding through T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI. Learn more.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Missouri Scholarship Models
| Scholarship | Entry Associate Degree | Associate Degree | Bachelor Degree* (excluding Pre-Certification and Student Teaching models) |
| Education |
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| Tuition & Book Costs | |||
| Recipient Portion | 10% – 15% tuition & books | 10% tuition & books | 10% – 15% tuition & books |
| Sponsor Portion | 10% – 15% tuition & books | 10% tuition & books | 10% – 15% tuition & books |
| T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI Portion | 75% – 90% tuition & books | 80% – 90% tuition & books | 75% – 90% tuition & books |
| Release Time | |||
| Weekly study time for recipient at regular pay rate | N/A | 3 hours per week in course per semester | 2 hours per week in course per semester |
| T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI reimbursement to sponsor | N/A | $10/hour – maximum of 132 hours reimbursed during one contract | $10/hour – maximum of 85 hours reimbursed during one contract |
| Accessibility Stipend | N/A | $55 per semester when courses are taken | $55 per semester when courses are taken |
| Compensation | |||
| T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI payment to recipient | $450 upon completion of the education year (two $225 installments) | $450 upon completion of the education year (two $225 installments) | $450 upon completion of the education year (two $225 installments) |
| Sponsoring employer payment to recipient | Option 1 – Sponsoring employer provides a $200 bonus Option 2 – Sponsoring employer does not provide a bonus |
Option 1 – Sponsoring employer provides a $200 bonus Option 2 – Sponsoring employer provides a 2% raise over cost of living |
Option 1 – Sponsoring employer provides a $200 bonus Option 2 – Sponsoring employer does not provide a bonus |
| Commitment Served after education period (Option chosen by sponsoring employer) |
Option 1 – 6 consecutive months of continued employment at sponsoring child care program Option 2 – 6 months of employment in a licensed child care program |
Option 1 – 12 consecutive months of continued employment at sponsoring child care program Option 2 – 12 consecutive months of continued employment at sponsoring child care program |
Option 1 – 9 consecutive months of continued employment at sponsoring child care program Option 2 – 9 months of employment in a licensed child care program |
*If you are working on a Bachelor’s degree and are within 4 semesters of doing your student teaching, a Pre-Certification or Student Teaching model should be considered. Contact T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI for more information about the correct model.
Read about the Scholarship Eligibility Requirements.
If you still aren’t sure which scholarship model is right for you, consider contacting T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI or use the Scholarship Selector to find your best option.
To clarify the scholarship process, please take a moment to read through the Recipient or Sponsor Handbook before completing an application. These handbooks answer many of the questions associated with the paperwork and timelines related to the T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI Scholarship. The information in these handbooks may better help you decide if the scholarship is right for you and that the model you have chosen is the best fit.
