Archives

My student loans are in default. Can I still receive Scholarships?

If you are not eligible for Pell or other financial aid because your student loans are in default, then you cannot receive Academic Scholarships. You must submit proof that your loans are no longer in default before you can receive Academic Scholarships. To find out more information about managing loans in default, click here.

What is the Professional Development System (GaPDS)?

The Georgia Professional Development System (GaPDS), offered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, supports the early care and education workforce. It enables you to build a comprehensive profile of your career, including your employment history, training hours, and earned credentials or degrees. You must create a profile on the GaPDS website to apply for DECAL Scholars programs.

Getting started is simple! You can register even if you haven’t earned a credential or degree yet. Download your free guide to creating a GaPDS account by clicking here. To learn more or to create your account, visit gapds.decal.ga.gov.

For questions or technical assistance, contact the GaPDS team at 404-334-6461 (or toll-free at 866-258-7737 outside metro Atlanta) or email them at gapds@decal.ga.gov.

Do I need to wait until I receive my notice of award or denial from financial aid before I apply to Academic Scholarships?

We understand that it may take some time to receive notice of award or denial from financial aid. Please complete your Academic Scholarships application and attach your FAFSA Submission Summary with your application. Once your official financial aid offer is reflected in your student account for the term (whether you have received approval or denial for financial aid), please upload that information to your DECAL Scholars account, or email it to support@decalscholars.com.

How do I renew my Scholarship each semester?

You can renew your Academic Scholarship if you maintain an eligible employment status and minimum GPA requirement. The requirement is a 2.0 GPA for TCC, TCD, and Associate Degree programs. The requirement is a 2.5 GPA for Bachelor’s Degree programs.

No earlier than 60 days prior to the start of your next semester, submit a renewal application. Please include the following documents (if there isn’t a designated upload category for any of these documents, you can upload them as “Additional Documents” under the “Documents” section of your application):

  • Copy of schedule of classes for the next term.
  • 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.
  • Copy of updated financial aid documentation (if eligible for FAFSA (HOPE and Pell)) (documentation is only needed once per year).

You also must submit a copy of your grades upon completion of the prior term once they are posted (or Good Standing Letter from Montessori Credential Program) for your application to finish processing.

Can I receive Academic Scholarships for more than one credential or degree?

As long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements for our Academic Scholarships program, you can continue to apply each time you are working towards a new credential or degree.

If you are enrolled in two different educational programs, you may be able to receive scholarships for both programs at the same time. For example, if you are earning your CDA credential and Associate degree at the same time, you can receive our CDA Scholarships program and Academic Scholarships program at the same time.

If you have earned your Bachelor’s degree with tuition assistance from DECAL Scholars, and desire to further your education, you could go back and earn your CDA or TCC (such as a TCC in Early Childhood Care and Education Program Administration) and apply to receive tuition assistance from DECAL Scholars. However, you may not be eligible for any additional Incentives payments once you complete your program if the credential or degree you have recently earned is considered a lower level than your highest level credential or degree earned in early childhood education.

How much will I receive from the Academic Scholarships program?

(1) Tuition and Fees

If you meet the eligibility requirements each semester you are enrolled, you will receive Academic Scholarships funds as follows, after any financial aid or outside scholarships are taken into account:

  • 80% of tuition and mandatory fees per semester at a public college/university
  • Up to $2,496 of tuition and mandatory fees per semester at a private college/university

Tuition and fees are paid directly to the college or university.

 

(2) Support Stipend

You will also receive a support stipend as follows:

  • $250 per semester for 1-3 credit hours
  • $500 per semester for 4(+) credit hours
  • Special programs
    • Infant/Toddler program of study: $500 per semester for 1-3 credit hours or $1,000 for 4(+) credit hours
    • DECAL-licensed Family Child Care Learning Home providers: $750 per semester for 1-3 credit hours or $1,500 for 4(+) credit hours

The support stipend is paid directly to the applicant after the end of the drop/add period each semester.

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.