AmericanScholarship - Update on Scholarships in America

Student Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship, a student must:

• Be employed, for at least one year, as an early educator or provider in an early education or care program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and continue employment in this field while pursuing your course of study
• Be enrolled in an eligible undergraduate program of study, and has not earned a prior bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
• Sign an agreement to teach or perform service as a provider in an early childhood public school, agency, or care program in Massachusetts as required by the Board of Higher Education and Department of Early Education and Care, as specified
• Be a permanent resident of Massachusetts and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen for at least one year prior to the start of the academic year
• Be eligible under Title IV and not in default of a state or federal student loan, or owe a refund on any federal or state grant

Student Responsibilities:
As a recipient of the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship, you are responsible for:

Notifying the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance of any change in your name, address or social security number, or employment status as an early educator or provider
• Informing the Office of Student Financial Assistance of any change in your plans to pursue a course of study
• Annually file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Annually complete and return all required forms relating to the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional standards

Scholarship Acceptance Terms:
If you accept the scholarship, you agree to:

• Remain employed in an early childhood education and care program in Massachusetts while completing the requirements for your degree program
• Enroll as a matriculated undergraduate student in an eligible degree program meeting the standards of the Department of Early Education and Care
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional policy on all college work
• Complete your educational program within a reasonable timeframe upon entering college
• Continue employment in Massachusetts as an educator or provider in the field of early childhood education and care for a minimum of six months for each semester of scholarship assistance received, not to exceed two years for an associate’s degree or four years for a bachelor’s degree

If you fail to comply with the service obligation as outlined, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will require that you repay the amount of the scholarship received, prorated according to the fraction of service obligation not fulfilled, as determined by the Board of Higher Education and the Department of Early Education and Care.

By my signature below, I have read and agreed to the above terms and conditions of the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program.

PRIORITY DEADLINE: JULY 1, 2007
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Please return this form to:
Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program
Massachusetts Office of Financial Assistance
454 Broadway, Suite 200
Revere, MA 02151
Telephone 617.727.9420 Fax 617.727.0667
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