Chambana Sun

State Sen. Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is spreading the word about a newly established scholarship program in the state aimed to help advance the credentials of people who work in early childhood education.

Bennett took to social media to inform his constituents of the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program.

"If you work in early childhood education and are interested in continuing your education, you may be eligible for a scholarship through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission," Bennet wrote in a Jan. 21 Facebook post.

According to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the scholarship was established to help  reverse the short supply of qualified early childhood educators in the state while encouraging those already working in that field to build up their credentials.

"Apply by March 1, 2022 and learn more here: https://www.isac.org/.../types-of.../scholarships/ecace.html," Bennett posted to Facebook. 

Students who are eligible noncitizens or U.S. citizens, working in early childhood or at a licensed or license-exempt facility, enrolled or accepted in either full- or part-time status at a public or nonprofit private Gateways entitled and Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity member institution may be eligible for this award, according to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. 

The commission noted that those who are awarded the scholarship "are expected to continue or return to teaching or direct services in the early childhood care and education field in Illinois" upon completion of their continuing education classes.

The consortium was created in July 2021 with the passage of the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act, or House Bill 2878. 

A press release said that the consortium will focus on building upon the incumbent early childhood workforce that needs more flexible programs of study in order to advance their qualifications through additional education.