Texas Early Childhood Scholarships
About Us
The Children’s Learning Institute (CLI) at UTHealth Houston offers Early Childhood Professional Development Scholarships to help Texas early childhood educators earn their credentials. The scholarships provide support for workforce retention, help programs meet Texas Rising Star requirements, and expand access to professional credentials across all 28 Texas Workforce Development areas. The scholarships apply to Texas early childhood educators who are continuing their education or pursuing certification for the following:
- Child Development Associate® (CDA) initial and renewal fees
- Associate’s degree tuition fees
- Bachelor’s degree tuition fees
- Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) tuition and fees
Learn more about our current and upcoming scholarship opportunities and how you can apply.
Save the date: Applications open on September 1, 2026!
SCHOLARSHIPS
CDA Scholarships
This scholarship will cover Application Credential Fees paid to the CDA Council for teachers earning a Child Development Associate® credential.
- CDA® Initial Application Fee: $525 paid directly to the CDA Council
- Renewal Application Fee: $250 paid directly to the CDA Council
Application Requirements
Applicants who are interested in the CDA scholarships must provide:
- CDA prerequisite information and proof of “Ready to Pay” confirmation
- Required documentation for Initial or Renewal Application Fee submission
- Read the “Before you Apply” resource to prepare you for this application.
RAP Scholarships
Early Childhood Educator Registered Apprenticeship Program trainees who are active and currently enrolled in a RAP program are eligible for this scholarship.
- RAP Participant Scholarship:
- Up to $1,000 for RAP tuition and fees, paid directly to the program,
- $1,000 completion stipend upon RAP program completion, paid directly to the participant.
- RAP Mentor Stipend:
- Up to $500 for RAP Mentors who support students in our RAP Scholarship program
Application Requirements
Applicants who are interested in the CDA® scholarships must provide:
- Letter of Sponsorship Agreement between the RAP Program and Participant
INFORMATION WEBINARS
Want to learn more? We are now offering virtual information sessions to help you learn more about the Child Development Associate® (CDA) and Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) scholarships opening in September. Join us to explore scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, and the application process. Click on a date/time to register.
English Webinars
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm and 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Spanish Webinars
Martes, 18 de agosto de 2026 | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm y 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Miércoles, 19 de agosto de 2026 | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Jueves, 20 de agosto de 2026 | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
RESOURCES
Helpful resources are available to support CDA® and Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) applicants throughout the scholarship process. Explore the links below for guidance on eligibility, application requirements, credentialing, and program participation. These tools can help you navigate each step and make the most of your scholarship opportunity.
CDA Application Resources
COMING SOON
- CDA Training at IHE scholarships (opens November 2, 2026)
- Associate degree scholarships (opens November 2, 2026)
- Bachelor’s degree scholarships (opens March 2, 2027)
- High School CTE Prep Program scholarships (opens March 2, 2027)
HELP CENTER
Access guidance on the scholarship process, application preparation, and additional resources. Contact us at [email protected] or submit an interest form for questions or assistance.
Funding Acknowledgement
The Early Childhood Professional Development Scholarships (ECPDS) program is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial award totaling $3,500,000 with 100 percent funded by ACF/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement, by ACF/HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit the ACF website, Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
Scholarships awarded by Children’s Learning Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health Houston) are made possible by, and in accordance with, a grant award from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) under the ECPDS program.