Providing Our Workforce Essential Recognition for Educational Development (POWER-ED) is a program that distributes wage supplements to support the workforce as they attain credentials and degrees in Early Childhood Education.
POWER-ED workforce supplements are currently only available for DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarships recipients. Click here to learn more about POWER-ED for CDA Training Scholarships recipients.
If you have completed your CDA training, you can create a YourCouncil account and get ahead with filling in all of the information needed, compiling your portfolio, selecting your Professional Development Specialist (PDS) and your exam date, and more. However, you will not be able to complete your PDS verification visit or exam until the CDA Council receives payment from the CDA Application Fee Scholarship. Once the CDA Council receives payment, you will have 6 months to complete your exam and verification visit.
DECAL Scholars offers each applicant two Application Fee Scholarships—one for the initial application and another for a second attempt if the exam is not passed on the first try. If this applies to you, simply submit a new Application Fee Scholarship application. Don’t forget to upload the letter from the CDA Council for Professional Recognition notifying you that you did not pass the CDA exam in the “Documents” section of your application under “Additional Documents.”
Yes, DECAL Scholars Scholarships programs are here to support you throughout your educational journey. Visit our Academic Scholarships page to learn more about the next steps you can take to receive a college credential or degree.
Yes, if you have completed your CDA training with a Georgia-approved trainer and you meet the eligibility requirements of our CDA Scholarships program, you can apply for the CDA Application Fee Scholarship.
The following documents must be uploaded with your application:
Copy of certificate or academic transcript documenting 120 clock-hours of CDA training with a Georgia-approved trainer.
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.
Submitting your application and allowing DECAL Scholars to pay the CDA Council directly for your application fee after approval is a much faster payment process.
You also have the option to pay the CDA application fee yourself to the CDA Council and submit the receipt to DECAL Scholars with your application for reimbursement. Please note that this method may require a longer payment process.
Once your CDA Scholarships application is approved, DECAL Scholars will cover up to $425 of the cost of the CDA Application Fee, paid directly to the CDA Council.
Approved DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarships recipients can apply to receive $1,000 payments for each 200-hour stage of obtaining their CDA, for up to 3 payments of $1,000:
If you continue to receive Academic Scholarships from DECAL Scholars, you will continue to receive POWER-ED $1,000 payments each semester in which you are enrolled and continue to receive Academic Scholarships, for as long as the POWER-ED program is available.
Rules and eligibility requirements are subject to change without notification. Applications are updated when program revisions occur.
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