Skip to content

Child Development Associate® Other

CDA® Voucher Only Scholarship

The CDA® Voucher-Only scholarship is tailored for early childhood education (ECE) professionals nearing the completion of their Child Development Associate® (CDA®) credential. This scholarship does not include one-on-one or group support.

Scholarship Incentives

  • $525 CDA® assessment fee
  • $1,500 Retention Stipend after six months of continuous employment for at least 20 hours per week in Delaware, serving children from prenatal to 2nd grade or their families, based on the credential date on the CDA® Credential uploaded to the ECIC DE RISE CDA® Voucher Only scholarship application.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Fully completed CDA® Portfolio
  • Prepared to schedule observation and examination
  • Work a minimum of 20 hours per week directly with children in a Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) licensed early care and education program.

Application Document Checklist

Ensure you have the following documents ready before applying:

  1. High School Diploma/Transcript or GED Certificate
    • Diplomas or transcripts from non-U.S. institutions (including Puerto Rico) must be evaluated by an independent credential evaluation agency. Click here for details.
  2. 120 Clock Hours Certificate(s)
  3. Two Recent Paystubs (from the past 60 days)
    • Each paystub must include:
      • Your full name and address
      • Employer’s name and address
      •  Pay period dates
      • Total hours worked for each pay period or hourly rate
  1. Voided check or Direct Deposit Authorization Form, (request from your bank)
  2. W-9 Form Download Here 
  3. YourCouncil.org 7-Digit Customer ID (Log in or create an account at YourCouncil.org to retrieve your Customer ID.)

Make sure all documents are clear and accurate to avoid delays in processing your application.
 

CDA® Renewal Scholarship

The CDA® Renewal Scholarship supports Delaware ECE professionals in renewing their valid CDA® credential. This scholarship does not include support for meeting renewal requirements from the Council for Professional Recognition.

If your current CDA Credential will expire within the next six (6) months, you may qualify for the ECIC DE RISE CDA Renewal Scholarship, which covers the $250 CDA renewal fee for the Council for Professional Recognition’s online renewal application.

Please note: You must renew your CDA Credential before it expires. CDA Credentials remain valid for three years from the original award date.

Important: The ECIC CDA Renewal Scholarship application is not the same as the Council for Professional Recognition CDA Renewal application.

Scholarship Incentives

  • $250 CDA® renewal fee

Eligibility Requirements

  • Valid CDA® Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition expiring within six (6) months
  • Work a minimum of 20 hours per week directly with children in a Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) licensed early care and education program.

Application Document Checklist

Ensure you have the following documents ready before applying:

  1. Valid CDA® credential expiring within six (6) months
  2. Two Recent Paystubs (from the past 60 days)
    • Each paystub must include:
      • Your full name and address
      • Employer’s name and address
      •  Pay period dates
      • Total hours worked for each pay period or hourly rate
  3. YourCouncil.org 7-Digit Customer ID Log in or create an account at YourCouncil.org to retrieve your Customer ID

Make sure all documents are clear and accurate to avoid delays in processing your application.

CDA® Renewal Amnesty Scholarship

The CDA® Renewal Amnesty Scholarship supports Delaware early childhood education (ECE) professionals whose CDA® credential has expired and who are eligible to renew through the Council for Professional Recognition’s CDA® Renewal Amnesty Program.

The limited-time Amnesty Program allows individuals with a CDA® credential expiration date as far back as January 1, 2016, to complete the current renewal requirements and make their credential active again without starting the CDA® process over.

The CDA® Renewal Amnesty Program is available from July 6, 2026 through April 26, 2027.

Important: The ECIC CDA® Renewal Amnesty Scholarship application is not the same as the Council for Professional Recognition CDA® Renewal Amnesty application. Applicants must meet the Council’s current renewal requirements and complete the renewal process through YourCouncil.

Learn More About the CDA® Renewal Amnesty Program

Scholarship Incentives

  • $250 CDA® renewal fee

Eligibility Requirements

  • CDA® credential with an expiration date as far back as January 1, 2016
  • Meet all current CDA® renewal requirements established by the Council for Professional Recognition
  • Work a minimum of 20 hours per week directly with children in a Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) licensed early care and education program
  • Complete the CDA® renewal application online through YourCouncil
  • Complete the renewal process before the Amnesty Program deadline of April 26, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST

Application Document Checklist

Ensure you have the following documents ready before applying:

  1. Expired CDA® Credential: The credential expiration date must be January 1, 2016 or later
  2. Two Recent Paystubs (from the past 60 days)
    • Each paystub must include:
      • Your full name and address
      • Employer’s name and address
      •  Pay period dates
      • Total hours worked for each pay period or hourly rate
  3. YourCouncil.org 7-Digit Customer ID Log in or create an account at YourCouncil.org to retrieve your Customer ID

Make sure all documents are clear and accurate to avoid delays in processing your application.

How to Apply

  1. Log in or create an account in the Delaware Early Care and Education Portal.
  2. Click the “Professional Portal” icon.
  3. Select “View My Scholarship Journey” and complete the requested information.
  4. From the “My Scholarship Type” dropdown, choose either DE RISE CDA Voucher Only Scholarship or Child Development Associate Renewal.

Note: Only one application can be submitted at a time. Some applications may currently be closed; information regarding availability is provided on the “My Scholarship Type” page.

APPLY HERE