Early Learning Equity Scholarship

Application opens:
March 1, 2025

Deadline:
June 15, 2025

We are excited to share the newly launched Early Learning Equity (ELE) Scholarship, made possible by an extremely . The mission of this scholarship is to strengthen, increase, retain and diversify Washington state’s early learning education workforce by removing financial barriers to degree programs.

This 2-year scholarship supports newly enrolled Early Care & Education and Early Childhood & Family Studies - Teaching and Learning students, or those returning after 1 or more years away from UW. It covers a student’s , including the  for . Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to entering or remaining in the early education field after graduating.

Open to all ECE and ECFS students, the ELE Scholarship is committed to increasing underrepresented students in the early learning field, especially those who identify as  and/or BIPOC*, especially underrepresented minority* students.

Current and prospective UW students interested in the scholarship are welcome to with Savanna Carreño, Early Learning Scholarship Community Liaison.

*BIPOC: An acronym used to refer to Black, Indigenous and People of Color. It is based on the recognition of collective experiences of systemic racism. As with any other identity term, it is up to individuals to use this term as an identifier.

*URM = Federally recognized underrepresented minority populations (Black/African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Latino/Hispanic) 

Award amount

The scholarship amount is dependent on a student’s calculated unmet financial need. Unmet financial need is calculated by the Office of Student Financial Aid, using your WASFA or FAFSA, and other sources of financial assistance you have available to help pay for your education, which may include private scholarships, UW departmental scholarships, and government grants/scholarships. 

These are some factors that may impact your total scholarship amount:

  • Additional or loss of government, UW, or some private scholarships or grants
  • Significant changes to your financial aid package, which may increase or decrease your award amount
  • Not meeting , leading to a loss of financial aid
  • Student changes from full-time to part-time or vice versa
  • Student withdraws from the university
  • Studying abroad or double majoring (applies to ECFS only)

Eligibility

In order to be considered for the scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a
  • Be a newly enrolled student, or returning to UW after at least one year away, and admitted to one of our early learning bachelor’s degree programs:
  • Submitted or in the process of submitting one of the following financial aid applications for the academic year you hope to receive funds for:
  • Committed to joining or remaining in the early learning education workforce after graduating, and working in WA state
  • Clearly demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to racial equity and educational justice for children, families and communities that are disproportionately impacted by systemic racism and poverty
  • Will be or is within their final 2 years of program completion. Occasional exceptions may allow for up to 1 additional year of funding on a case-by-case basis.

DACA recipients and other undocumented Washington residents must submit a WASFA application to be eligible for state financial aid, including the ELE Scholarship.

Deadlines

The application deadlines for the ELE scholarship will depend on the quarter you intend on enrolling in your program.

Starting Autumn quarter:

  • Application open March 1 - June 15

Starting Winter quarter:

  • Application open September 15 - October 15
Graphic listing due dates for the ECFS major, the ECE major, and the ELE scholarship.

 

 

Application process

  1. Apply for and be accepted to the ECE or ECFS program
    1. Note: you do not need to have received a decision letter at the time you submit the ELE scholarship application. The award is contingent upon being accepted into the program.
  2. Ensure your or is submitted for the correct academic year
    1. We recommend submitting by UW’s priority deadline, January 15 for the next academic year to ensure your paperwork is processed in a timely manner.
  3. with your UW NetID and complete the application.

Selection process

Step 1: Application screening

Applications are screened to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.

Step 2: Application review

Our selection team reviews applications and score them using a comprehensive rubric. The selection team consists of staff and faculty familiar with the ECE and ECFS programs.

Step 3: Award determination

Recipient amounts are determined by student's unmet financial need, which is calculated by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Step 4: Decision letter

Applicants receive decision letters prior to the start of the quarter. If selected, you MUST reply to notify us whether you accept or reject the award.

 

Although we do our best to process applications and send decision letters to applicants as quickly as possible, sometimes unforeseen circumstances may delay the process (i.e. systems being overwhelmed, financial aid undetermined, etc.). We understand that scholarships and financial aid are critical factors in a student’s educational success and wellbeing. We aim to distribute letters to applicants prior to the start of the quarter and will communicate as immediately as possible of any issues we may come across that impact this timeline.

If you have questions about the scholarship, please reach out to edscholar@uw.edu. 

The team has advisors that coach students on submitting strong applications and interview preparation for local, national and international scholarships, grants or fellowships you may be considering.