EIP Scholarships Program 2024-2025 Application Form

The Educational Incentive Program EIP Scholarships Application is proudly sponsored by the Educational Incentive Program (EIP), aimed at supporting child care providers.

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What is the Educational Incentive Program?

The Educational Incentive Program (EIP) is a scholarship initiative designed to support child care providers in covering the costs of training and educational endeavors. Its aim is to enhance provider knowledge, skills, and competencies, thereby elevating the quality of child care services.

Eligibility for EIP requires child care providers to undergo training and be responsible for children in programs regulated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS) or the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH).

To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must submit a completed application by December 1, 2024.

The maximum annual award amounts are as follows:

College courses: $2,500
CDA and all other pre-approved credential training: $2,500
Coaching: $1,100
CPR/FA: $125 for classroom, $95 for online with face-to-face skills testing component
Trainings, conferences, and workshops: $700

For further details on child care in New York State, please visit:

EIP Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility for EIP scholarships is determined by several factors, including current employment status, chosen training and organization, and the applicant’s household income. Child care providers have the opportunity to apply for multiple scholarships within the current year until they reach their maximum annual scholarship amount. Applicants are responsible for any tuition and costs not covered by EIP.

Employment Requirement

Applicants must meet all three of the following employment requirements, with employment verification necessary for each application:

Legal Work Authorization:
- Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Resident Aliens authorized to work in the U.S.
Employment Status:
- Applicants must either be paid employees or direct supervisors of paid employees in one of the following NYS OCFS or NYC DOHMH registered or licensed child care programs:
  - Registered family day care program
  - Licensed group family day care program
  - Registered school-age child care program
  - Licensed day care center or child care Head Start
Direct Care Requirement:
- Applicants must be directly involved in caring for children or supervising employees who fulfill child care duties, meeting the adult/child ratio requirement.

Ineligible Categories for EIP Scholarships:

The following individuals are not eligible for EIP scholarships:

Volunteers
Substitutes for a family day care or group family day care (Exceptions apply for CPR/FA scholarships)
Adjunct child care staff
Consultants
Staff not included in the adult/child ratio
Legally Exempt and No Permit Required (NPR) programs
Providers, staff, and supervisors of programs licensed by the NYS Department of Education
Home-based Teacher / Family Advocate
Summer Day Camp Staff

Training and Training Organization Requirements:

All training organizations must be participants of EIP and maintain good standing. All training sessions must be pre-approved through the EIP event approval process. Trainers must fall into one of the following categories:

Professional Development Specialist: Early Childhood and/or School-Age
Verified Trainer
Content Specialist
Credentialed or Verified Coach
Higher Education Faculty
EIP approved Subject Matter Expert or Nationally Recognized Expert

Training or coursework must align with the topic areas required by the NYS Social Services Law and the NYS OCFS Regulations.

Eligible Expenses Covered by EIP:

EIP may cover expenses related to:

Trainings, conferences, and workshops
College tuition and mandatory college fees
Coaching
Training and assessment fees associated with CDA and other credential programs

All college courses taken as part of an early childhood or related degree program are eligible for scholarships.

Expenses Not Covered by EIP:

EIP does not cover expenses such as:

Repeat attendance of the same training within a single year
Books or training materials
Elective student fees, room, or board
Test fees or examination preparation
Registration or membership fees

Confidentiality:

Application and award information is held confidentially by EIP. Permission must be granted in writing to EIP for the sharing of information with third parties.

Income Requirements:

Applicants’ household adjusted gross income, as reported on the most recent IRS Form 1040, must fall within specified ranges outlined on the income chart provided by EIP. EIP reserves the right to request additional verification to ensure accuracy and authenticity of income documentation.

Upstate Award Eligibility

To determine eligibility for the Upstate Award, consider the following income thresholds based on family size:

Family Size: 1

100%: $0 – $45,538
75% of amount requested: $45,539 – $60,718

Family Size: 2

100%: $0 – $59,550
75% of amount requested: $59,551 – $79,400

Family Size: 3

100%: $0 – $73,562
75% of amount requested: $73,563 – $98,083

Family Size: 4

100%: $0 – $87,574
75% of amount requested: $87,575 – $116,765

Family Size: 5

100%: $0 – $101,586
75% of amount requested: $101,587 – $135,447

Family Size: 6

100%: $0 – $115,597
75% of amount requested: $115,598 – $154,130

For each additional family member, add $14,012 for 100% eligibility and $18,682 for 75% of the requested amount.

Downstate Award Eligibility

If you reside in New York City, Nassau, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, or Westchester counties, refer to the following income thresholds for eligibility for the Downstate Award:

Family Size: 1

100%: $0 – $56,923
75% of amount requested: $56,924 – $75,897

Family Size: 2

100%: $0 – $74,438
75% of amount requested: $74,439 – $99,250

Family Size: 3

100%: $0 – $91,952
75% of amount requested: $91,953 – $122,603

Family Size: 4

100%: $0 – $109,467
75% of amount requested: $109,468 – $145,956

Family Size: 5

100%: $0 – $126,982
75% of amount requested: $126,983 – $169,309

Family Size: 6

100%: $0 – $144,497
75% of amount requested: $144,498 – $192,662

For each additional family member, add $17,515 for 100% eligibility and $23,353 for 75% of the requested amount.

Note: If you are applying for CDA assessment or renewal fee, a pre-approved credential or accreditation fee, or CPR/FA training, your income will not be used as a factor to determine scholarship eligibility.

College Credit Eligibility and Guidelines

EIP scholarships can be utilized to cover college courses and mandatory fees at regionally accredited colleges. All courses pursued as part of an early childhood or related degree program qualify for the scholarship. Ensure to include evidence of your major when submitting your application.

For those not enrolled in an early childhood or related degree program, college coursework must align with the following topic areas mandated by New York State Social Services Law and NYS OCFS regulations:

Principles of childhood development, encompassing appropriate child supervision.
Addressing the needs of children with physical or emotional challenges enrolled in the program.
Behavior management and discipline techniques.
Nutrition and health requirements of children.
Development of child day care programs.
Safety and security protocols, including parent-staff communication.
Business record maintenance and management.
Identification and prevention of child abuse and maltreatment.
Relevant statutes and regulations regarding child day care and child abuse prevention.
Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention.
Understanding trauma and fostering resiliency in adverse childhood experiences.

All courses must commence in 2024 to qualify for EIP scholarships. These scholarships should be applied to a student’s higher education account after all other state and federal scholarships, grants, and financial aid have been utilized. Pell Grants may be refunded to students who have received EIP scholarships.

However, expenses such as books, elective student fees, room, board, training materials, test fees, and examination preparation courses are not covered by scholarships. Applicants are accountable for tuition and expenses not covered by EIP.

The maximum annual scholarship for college credit stands at $2,500 per year. If undergoing CDA training through a college without receiving college credit, a separate CDA application must be completed.

EIP Scholarship Process: 6 Simple Steps

STEP 1

Log in or create an account on the Early Childhood Education and Training Program (ECETP) website at www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu.
Complete the EIP application online. Ensure all required documents are ready for upload during the application process. Online applications are preferred, but paper applications are accepted.

STEP 2

EIP processes your application. This step typically takes 4-6 weeks.

STEP 3

You will receive an email notifying you of the status of your application. You will receive separate emails for each approved or declined activity.

STEP 4

Review the terms and conditions provided in the email and electronically sign your award using the link provided. The award is valid for 60 days from the issue date. If not accepted within 60 days, EIP will automatically cancel the award.

STEP 5

Once you accept the award, the education or training organization will receive an email notification to review the terms and conditions of the award. They must electronically sign the award within 90 days of receipt. If not accepted within this timeframe, the award will be automatically canceled. You can request reissuance of an expired award from EIP.

STEP 6

EIP processes a check payable to the education or training organization on your behalf. Training organizations should expect payment to be sent within at least 10 weeks from the date EIP receives a completed scholarship application.

Eip Scholarship Application Information

Section 1 – Applicant Information: EIP needs to confirm your name, Social Security number (SSN), family size, and household adjusted gross income. Verification is done using your submitted IRS Form 1040. Only the first 2 pages of the IRS Form 1040 are required; the entire form is not necessary. If your full Social Security number is not visible on your IRS Form 1040, you must provide an official document containing your full Social Security number, such as your Social Security card or W-2, for verification.

If you’re applying before April 15, 2024, you may submit either a 2022 or 2023 IRS Form 1040. After April 15, the 2023 IRS Form 1040 is mandatory.

EIP reserves the right to request additional verification to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the income documentation submitted.

Section 2 – Child Care Employment Information: Every EIP application must include the necessary documentation to verify current employment. EIP may also request further proof to validate the accuracy and authenticity of the employment information provided.

Acceptable Documentation for Proof of Employment

(Submit one of the following with each application:)

Program Owner:

A copy of a valid child care license or registration with your name listed as the On-Site Provider.

Employee:

A copy of your paystub or paycheck dated within the past 8 weeks, clearly displaying the program’s name. If the employer name on your paystub differs from the child care program name or license number you provided, please include a letter from your director on company letterhead explaining the discrepancy.

For FDC/GFDC Only:

OCFS Clearance letter confirming your authorization to provide care for children in a licensed or registered program.

For further clarification on eligibility, contact EIP at: eip@albany.edu.

Section 3 – Training Information

Indicate the Delivery Type and Training Type of your training by checking the appropriate box. Details on different training types can be found under Trainings, Conferences and Workshops, Credential Training other than CDA, College Credit, and CDA Credential sections in this brochure.

Please note that CDA Credential requires a separate EIP application.

EIP typically awards one scholarship per training per applicant within a program year. Ensure that the training start and end dates listed on your application match the dates of your actual attendance. If the training’s end date has passed, include a certificate of completion as part of your supporting documentation.

Section 4 – Agreement

Each applicant must sign and date the agreement, indicating understanding and agreement with all listed statements. Incomplete paper applications will be returned. Applications lacking a signature, tax documentation, proof of employment, or other required documents will be deemed incomplete. You will be notified via email regarding missing documents.

Submission of completion documentation, such as training certificates or college transcripts, for EIP-sponsored activities is mandatory. Failure to provide proof of successful completion for each sponsored activity will result in a hold on your EIP account, prohibiting future applications until proof is provided.

EIP awards may be taxable income, and recipients are responsible for complying with all relevant tax regulations.

Please be aware:

EIP scholarships will be granted until funding is exhausted or the scholarship year concludes, whichever occurs first.
EIP reserves the right to prioritize scholarship awards based on training type.

EIP Scholarship Application Instructions

Ensure all required supporting documents are included with your application.

Online Applications

Visit www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu and click on “APPLY.”
Select “Apply Online Now!” and log in or create a new ECETP account.
Complete all fields and upload necessary documents.

Paper Applications

Complete Sections 1, 2, and 3 of the application form.
Sign the agreement in Section 4.
Mail the completed application and all required documents to the Educational Incentive Program (EIP).

Note: Faxed or emailed paper applications and supporting documents will not be accepted.

Mailing Address: Educational Incentive Program 4 Tower Place, 4th Floor Albany, NY 12203

Educational Incentive Program Application Checklist

For all EIP scholarship applications, ensure the following are included:

Signed EIP Agreement
Copy of paycheck or paystub from the last 8 weeks
First 2 pages of your most recent Federal Tax Form 1040 showing full Social Security Number, number of dependents, and adjusted gross income.

Additional Documentation Required for:

College Credit Coursework

Documentation from your college indicating your major if the course is unrelated to early childhood education or a related field.

Coaching

Coaching Plan prepared by you and your coach, including details like coach name, participant’s name, start and end dates, total hours, total cost, coachee-directed goals, OCFS topic areas, and Core Body of Knowledge topic areas.

Credential/Assessment Fee

Copy of the first page of your most recent Federal Tax Form 1040 for Social Security Number verification.
Checkout email from the Council for Professional Recognition and Council Customer ID number.
Copy of your paper CDA Council application if applying via paper application.

Official website: https://www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu/mytraining/EIPApp/before-you-apply.aspx?Prog=eip