Scholars For Excellence in Child Care

Providing Educational Opportunities for Child Care Professionals

The Scholars for Excellence in Child Care (SECC) program ensures that eligible child care professionals in the state of Oklahoma have an opportunity to attend a community college to further their education while earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Certificate of Mastery, Director's Certificate of Completion, and/or an associate degree in child development or early childhood education.

At Rose State College, the scholarship will provide 90% of tuition and fees and 100% of required books for eligible scholars for the following:

Child development courses leading toward a CDA credential
Certificate of Mastery
School-Age Certificate of Completion (school-age teachers and directors only)
Director's Certificate of Completion
Associate in Arts in Family Services and Child Development

In addition, the Scholars program also offers the following scholarships:

Early Education: Pathway to Your National Credential (a comprehensive CDA or CCP curriculum) coursework taken through technology centers leading toward the national CDA credential.
CDA/CCP Direct Assessment Application

Eligibility Requirements

Tuition Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

The Facility

Must be a DHS licensed child care facility. The facility must also be a one star or higher star status with Child Care Services QRIS. Only facilities on permit due to an ownership change are permitted.
If the facility is licensed by the military or tribe, they must be a two star or higher with Child Care Services QRIS. Please contact the scholarship office for clarification of possible eligibility.

CoM Scholar

Work at least 30 hours per week*
Teacher/Assistant Teacher/Family Child Care Assistant must work with children.
Family Child Care Providers must be paid to care for children other than their own.
Assistant Director/Director can have a combination of administrative duties and caring for children.
*If the scholar continues to receive pay during the summer with the facility not open to care for children, the scholar can continue to take courses. If the scholar is not paid, and the facility is closed, the scholar cannot take courses through the summer semester.
Must be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma or high school equivalency (HSE) certificate. If the applicant does not have a high school diploma or HSE certificate their high school class must have graduated.
Once approved for the scholarship, the scholar must be on a child development or early childhood degree plan. Scholars cannot enroll at any other career technology center, community college, or university while on scholarship.

AA/AAS/AS Scholar

Be employed at an eligible child care facility at least three months before beginning coursework
Within the three-month total, a provider may have a time of non-employment not to exceed 30 calendar days; however, the combined working total must equal three months or longer.
If it is not three consecutive months of employment with the same facility, written verification confirming previous employment working in a child care facility/family child care home must be provided.
The scholar coordinator must verify employment history and complete the Employment Verification Form and submit with application.
Work at least 30 hours per week
Teacher/Assistant Teacher/Family Child Care Assistant must work with children.
Family Child Care Providers must be paid to care for children other than their own.
Assistant Director/Director can have a combination of administrative duties and caring for children.
Must be at least 18 years old and/or have a high school diploma/GED.
Once approved for the scholarship, be on a child development or early childhood education plan of study.

Verification of Hours

Directors, Assistant Directors, Teachers, and Assistant Teachers must provide a current check stub indicating the hours worked per week, name of the applicant, and the facility name. (If for some reason the facility name is not on there, please submit along with the check stub, a letter from the Director on letter head)
Family child care providers must complete the Verification of Hours form.
If a check stub does not reflect a regular work week (30-40 hours) because of absence from the job, written verification from the director regarding the regular weekly scheduled hours should also be submitted

Head Start

Head Start employees are eligible for the Scholarship beginning Fall 2021.

Employment at Multiple Centers

If a recipient works in more than one center (all of which are owned by the same person or organization) to work a total of 30 hours per week. Providers must work in a facility participating in the state QRIS system with the rating of one star or higher

Scholars Program Benefits

Scholars program scholarships
Support services and technical assistance from Scholars program coordinator
Academic and career advisement
Networking with other child care professionals
Education stipend of $800 for the Certificate of Mastery, $1,000 for the Director’s Certificate of Completion, and $1,500 for the Associate in Arts in FSCD–Child Development