FAQ Categories: CDA Training Scholarships

What documents must be uploaded with my POWER-ED application?

The following documents must be uploaded with your application for the first payment:

Applying for your first two payments, or all three payments together? You can upload more than one CDA Experience Verification Page to document your 480 hours and a copy of your CDA credential under the “Additional Documents” during the “Documents” section of your application.

What documents must be uploaded with my CDA Training Scholarships application?

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). 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).
  • Copy of CDA Competency Standards Book receipt from within 6 months of book purchase date (must be purchased from the CDA Council) (Upload during the “Documents” section of your application as an “Additional Document”)

Can I choose a Spanish CDA trainer? (¿Puedo elegir un formador de CDA en español?)

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.

Is POWER-ED taxable?

Yes, POWER-ED is considered taxable income. You will receive an IRS Form 1099 as required and must report the Incentives payment as income on your tax return.

Please contact a tax professional with any questions you have about how to report this on your taxes.

What is the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential?

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.

I’ve completed my CDA training. How do I apply for my CDA credential?

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.

What is the substitute stipend and how does it work?

The Substitute Stipend program supports DECAL Scholars Scholarship recipients in the time and effort it takes to further their professional growth. It also encourages employers to advocate for their employees’ educational pursuits, recognizing the beneficial impact of higher-quality care on the children they serve. Through this program, employers of Academic, Montessori, or CDA Training Scholarships recipients can opt to receive a $15-per-hour stipend to help cover the cost of a substitute, offsetting part of the expense of providing paid time off for employees to attend classes, study, complete assignments, or take exams as they commit to their professional development.

To participate, employers must provide their employee with paid time off for the purposes mentioned above. The program offers a standard rate of $15 per hour to help offset expenses incurred while the employee is on paid time off. Each scholarship recipient’s employer is eligible to receive a maximum of $1,500 in substitute stipends for a maximum of 100 hours of paid time off per recipient per semester, term, or CDA class.

To qualify for reimbursement, this accurately completed log must be signed by both the employer and the employee and submitted to support@decalscholars.com. Logs can be submitted monthly or at the end of the semester or CDA class, but all submissions must be received by the end of the final month of classes to be eligible for the stipend.

How do I apply for POWER-ED for CDA Training Scholarships?

Providing Our Workforce Essential Recognition for Educational Development (POWER-ED) is a program that distributes wage supplements to support the workforce as they attain higher educational credentials. POWER-ED Workforce Supplements are available for DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarships recipients to apply to.

Click here to learn more about POWER-ED for CDA Training Scholarships.

Which supporting document formats will DECAL Scholars accept?

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.