• Determine if you are eligible.
• Consider if you can: 1) complete coursework while continuing your employment? 2) pay your portion of the expenses (usually around 10% of tuition and 25% of books), and 3) remain in your current employment for a "commitment period" at the end of your contract.
• Garner the support of your center director, if you are an employee of a child care center. Sponsoring centers will also need to make a financial contribution and sign the contract.
• Determine which scholarship model is best for you. Request an application on-line, download an application on-line, or call the T.E.A.C.H. office (800-783-9322 ext. 7240) to request the appropriate application or to discuss the various models available. (There is a different application for each scholarship.)
• Complete the appropriate application, including the Center Agreement page. Your income does not impact your ability to receive a scholarship, but proof of income is needed to show that you are meeting certain eligibility requirements. Applications cannot be processed until all requested information has been received. Send original application only; no copies or faxes please. Keep a copy for your records.
• Wait for confirmation. It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for us to process your application and make a determination of your eligibility. While you are waiting, you may wish to look into the school and the courses that interest you. T.E.A.C.H. scholarships can only support approved coursework offered by Wisconsin colleges. If you have questions about which courses T.E.A.C.H. will support, contact us. In addition, if you are pursuing a degree or wish to access online or other specialized courses, it may be helpful to contact an educational advisor at the school of your choice.
• Converse with a Scholarship Counselor. When a decision has been made, a T.E.A.C.H. counselor will call to explain the entire scholarship procedure, including how expenses such as tuition and books will be paid or reimbursed. At that time, you may wish to request the counselor's help in making final decisions about the courses you will be taking. The counselor will most likely call you at work. Consider finding some way to have uninterrupted time when this call comes, as you and your counselor will be discussing some very important information.
• Sign the contract. Once approved for a scholarship, you and a center representative (if applicable) will sign a contract with the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Wisconsin Scholarship Program. This contract is a commitment to pay a portion of your scholarship expenses and to stay in your current employment situation for a specific period beyond the completion of your courses. No payments or reimbursements will be made until the original copy of your signed contract has been returned to our office.
• Stay organized. The counselor who informed you of your eligibility will likely remain your counselor for the duration of your contract. Prepare a folder or binder with contact information for your counselor, as well as other documents such as copies of your application, contract, forms, etc. Add notes, receipts and other information along the way.