CDA Training Scholarships

The program ended in 2025.

The following documents must be uploaded with your application:

• Copies of two recent paystubs reflecting the name of your employer, your name, and gross and net year-to-date wages. If you are a Family Child Care Learning Home or a Director/Owner and do not pay yourself W-2 wages, you should submit a copy of last year’s Schedule C, Schedule K, or other federal tax form documenting net business income. If your paystubs do not meet these requirements, we may ask for additional information.

• Invoice from CDA trainer outlining the cost of CDA training, name of applicant, and who is to be paid (applicant, business, or trainer). The date of the invoice must be within the past 30 days of submitting your application. Have the trainer sign and date the invoice if possible.

• Copy of the FRONT and BACK of a secure and verifiable document.

• Copy of your Georgia Professional Development System profile reflecting your GaPDS number, the name of your current employer, and a “Pending” or “Active” status (click here for more information).

Yes, if the trainer you choose is a Georgia-approved CDA trainer eligible for our CDA Training Scholarships on the Georgia Professional Development System (GaPDS) for Early Childhood Educators. You can search for a trainer based on the language they offer their training in as well as their training format (face-to-face, online, or hybrid). Make sure you check the box for CDA Training in the search criteria.

Click here to visit their website and find your trainer.

Sí, si el formador que elijas es un formador de CDA aprobado por Georgia y elegible para nuestras Becas de Capacitación CDA en el Sistema de Desarrollo Profesional de Georgia (GaPDS) para Educadores de la Primera Infancia. Puedes buscar un formador según el idioma en el que ofrecen su capacitación, así como el formato de la capacitación (presencial, en línea o híbrido). Asegúrate de marcar la casilla para “Capacitación CDA” en los criterios de búsqueda.

Haz clic aquí para visitar su sitio web y encontrar a tu formador.

While not a college credential, the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is an entry-level credential that is widely recognized in the industry, issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.

Earning the CDA credential is a three-step process that requires:

• 120 clock hours of CDA training covering 8 subject areas
• Experience in the classroom and compiling a portfolio
• CDA Exam and verification visit by a Professional Development Specialist (PDS)

The CDA credential must be renewed every three years. Click here to visit the Council for Professional Recognition’s website for complete information.

Several technical colleges provide programs that allow for the transfer of CDA training into college credits, although the specific rules vary among institutions. To obtain more information on this opportunity, it is recommended to contact the early childhood education department at the technical college of your preference.

Congratulations on completing your CDA training!

The next step is to create an account on YourCouncil to apply for your CDA credential. YourCouncil has all of the information you need to learn how to compile your CDA portfolio, select your PD specialist, choose an observation date, and choose your exam date. DECAL Scholars offers a CDA Application Fee Scholarship to cover the cost of the exam and verification visit. Learn more about the Application Fee Scholarship here.

It is important that you send all supporting documents at the time of completing your application to avoid any delays in processing.
DECAL Scholars accepts legible PDFs, screenshots, photo copies, scans, and photos (only in JPG format, not HEIC). Please do not send documents as links.

The CDA Council awards the CDA credential. Therefore, they are the first and best source for all of your questions about the credential itself. Visit their website, contact them by phone at (800) 424-4310 or email at cdafeedback@cdacouncil.org.

Our team has created this helpful “7 Steps to Earn Your CDA” infographic that can help you understand the timeline of earning your credential with support from DECAL Scholars. Plus, there are helpful contacts and FAQs on the back.

Click here to download the Guide

Yes, you can submit your receipt for reimbursement, provided you submit your complete application with all supporting documents within 30 days of the date you paid for the CDA training. To be reimbursed, you must include your receipt as proof of payment in place of the CDA trainer’s invoice.

Please note that your DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarship application cannot be submitted after you’ve already submitted your DECAL Scholars CDA Application Fee Scholarship application.

Once your CDA Scholarships application is approved, DECAL Scholars will cover up to $500 of the cost of the CDA trainer, paid directly to the CDA trainer.

Find a Georgia-approved CDA trainer eligible for our CDA Training Scholarships on the Georgia Professional Development System (GaPDS) for Early Childhood Educators. You can even search for a trainer based on their training format (face-to-face, online, or hybrid), or based on the language they offer their training in. Make sure you check the box for CDA Training in the search criteria.

Click here to visit their website and find your trainer.