Virginia Child Care Provider

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Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship Program
VCCPSP
Investing in the future
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What is the Virginia Child Care Provider
Scholarship Program?

• Provides payment for tuition and technology fees
  to those employed in child care in Virginia or
  those who plan to enter the field of child care.
• Provides tuition assistance for VCCPSP-approved
  courses in child care, child development, early
  childhood education, or child care administration
  at Virginias institutions of higher learning.

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Purpose of Scholarships

• To provide early care and education professionals
  with better training and qualifications for
  advancement.
• To provide families with highly trained child
  care providers.
• To provide child care businesses with highly
  qualified staff.

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Who Sponsors The Scholarships?

• Federal funding is given to the Virginia
  Department of Social Services (VDSS) for child
  care programs.
• VDSS provides the scholarship money from the
  Child Care and Development Fund.
• The Office of Early Childhood Development
  administers the scholarship program.

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Who Is Eligible For Scholarships?

• Virginia residents working
• as early care and education providers.
• Residents from other states who work as early
  care and education providers in Virginia.
• Virginia residents who want careers in early care
  and education.
• Note you may be required to provide proof of
  residency and/or employment.

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What Classes Are Covered?

• Early Childhood Development
• Child Care
• Child Care Administration
• Early Childhood Development Degree required
  classes

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How Much Does The Scholarship Pay?

• The maximum lifetime benefit for eligible
  participants currently is 2,068.
• The scholarship may pay for up to 2 courses per
  spring or fall semester.
• The scholarship covers tuition and technology
  fees.
• All other fees, books, and expenses are the
  applicants responsibility.

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When Is The Application Due?

• The dates are listed on the application for each
  semester.
• Applications must be fully completed and
  submitted online or mailed and postmarked by the
  deadline to be processed and approved.
• Applicants attending 4-year institutions must use
  the paper application and attach the course
  description for the course for which they are
  requesting a scholarship.
• Early and late applications will not be
  processed.
• Applications on old forms will be returned to the
  applicant.
• Applications are processed on a first-come,
  first-served basis only with priority given to
  individuals currently working in child care or
  early care and education settings.

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How Soon Will I Be Notified?

• You will be notified by U.S. mail or e-mail
  within thirty days of receipt of your
  application.
• Please do not call the VCCPSP Hotline or e-mail
  the program to inquire about the status of an
  application before the end of the 30-day period.

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What If I Change My Mind?

• The scholarship pays only for the courses that
  were approved and only for the applicant who was
  approved.
• The course and college chosen may not be changed,
  unless the course was cancelled, rescheduled, or
  filled.
• If you cannot use the scholarship, you must
  notify VCCPSP immediately, by completing the
  Course Change form.

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Step 1Apply for Admission

• Apply for admission to the college or university
  you choose.
• Take all placement tests.
• Obtain and learn your student identification
  number for that school.
• Include that ID number on your scholarship
  application.
• Ensure that you have reliable transportation
  to/from classes.
• Ensure that the selected course does not conflict
  with your work schedule.

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Step 2Apply For The Scholarship

• Apply for the scholarship.
• Be thorough and accurate, so your application may
  be processed quickly.
• Make sure you submit the application within the
  start and end deadlines.
• Keep a copy of your application.

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Step 3Register For Courses

• You may register for the courses you want either
  before or after you hear from VCCPSP.
• Some schools may require that you pay tuition and
  fees in advance to hold a spot in the course.
• If you choose to pay while waiting for your award
  decision, make sure the school will reimburse
  you, if you get the award. VCCPSP will not
  reimburse or pay students directly.
• Check on the dates when payments are due and take
  appropriate action.
• Present the original award letter when you
  register.
• Sign an Authorization to Release Grades form and
  send it to your colleges or universitys
  Admissions Records office.

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Step 4Notify VCCPSP

• Complete and submit the VCCPSP Course Change Form
  when
• The course for which you received an award is
  cancelled, rescheduled or filled.
• You can not to use the scholarship because of an
  emergency situation.
• You need to change the college or university.
• The VCCPSP must approve any substitutions or
  changes.
• Failure to notify VCCPSP in writing may result in
  forfeiture of future scholarship awards.

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Things You Must Do

• You must show proof of employment and/or
  residency when requested.
• You must be in good financial and academic
  standing to receive the scholarship. Previous
  debts must be paid.
• You must reapply each semester.
• If you ever drop or withdraw from a course, you
  must follow your institutions procedures and
  deadlines and notify VCCPSP immediately.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Does the scholarship program pay for books,
  parking and other fees?
• No, the scholarship will pay the tuition and
  technology fees only.
• Can the scholarship be used at any college or
  university?
• The scholarship can be used at all Virginia based
  public and private accredited institutions of
  higher learning approved by the State Council of
  Higher Education for Virginia.
• Do scholarship applicants have to be employed
  full-time in child care or in a particular
  setting?
• Applicants do not have to be employed full-time
  in child care, however first priority will be
  given to applicants currently working in the
  early care and education field.
• Will the scholarship pay for the same course more
  than once?
• No, it will pay for a course only once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What if I drop a course after the schools
  deadline?
• You will be responsible for paying the tuition
  and technology fees. It is very important that
  you follow the registration and drop policies of
  the educational institutions so as not to incur
  any penalties.
• If I am denied a scholarship can I appeal the
  decision?
• There is no appeal process for scholarships
  denied based on
• Lack of funds
• Untimely application
• Incomplete application
• To appeal other circumstances, you must file a
  written appeal to the program within 33 days of
  the date on the denial letter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I remain in good standing?
• To be in good standing, there must be no more
  than one instance in which
• You did not register for the course after getting
  a scholarship.
• You did not complete the course, and received a
  grade of W.
• You failed to notify VCCPSP about course changes.
• You received a failing grade.

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Contact Information?

• Website
• http//www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cc/scholarship
  .cgi
• Email us at
• childcare.scholarship_at_dss.virginia.gov
• Phone
• 1-866-636-1608 (toll free)