Financing Graduate School: Financial Aid
Choose from financial aid, grants, and scholarships for your Early Childhood Graduate School Program.
“We promise that the scholarship you receive for the first year of your studies is guaranteed for subsequent years provided you maintain good academic standing and reapply as needed.”
Financial Aid for grad school Overview
Your Graduate Degree in Early Childhood Education is Within Your Reach
At Erikson, our Financial Aid team can help you find the funding and support to achieve your degree in early childhood education. Erikson’s mission is to educate and promote leadership to serve the needs of children and families. Our vision is to provide easy access to our distinctive and high-quality education to diverse populations.
Financial Aid for Early Childhood Education: Erikson Institute Scholarships
You will have multiple pathways for aid with two types of scholarships and the ability to qualify for both. And teacher licensure students have an additional grant opportunity.
Earn a merit-based Leadership Scholarship as an admitted master’s or certificate program student with your academic and professional achievement as well as your potential for leadership in your field.
Qualify for an Affordability Scholarship annually as a master’s degree or graduate certificate student based on your demonstrated financial need.
Master of Early Childhood Education (Triple Endorsement) students may be awarded this grant from Erikson that covers full Erikson Institute tuition and fees based on serving underinvested communities in Illinois post-graduation.
Master of Early Childhood Education (Triple Endorsement) students may be awarded this grant from Erikson that covers full Erikson Institute tuition and fees based on serving underinvested communities in Chicago post-graduation.
Earn a merit-based Leadership Scholarship as an admitted certificate program student with your academic and professional achievement as well as your potential for leadership in your chosen fields.
Apply Before a Priority Application Deadline
We accept applications on a rolling basis in most instances. This means we accept applications throughout the year for all academic terms and programs, and applications are evaluated as they are completed.
Want primary consideration for scholarship awards? Apply before our Priority Submission Dates.
Priority Application Deadlines:
- Fall Term: July 15
- Spring Term: November 15
- Summer Term: March 15
Erikson Grants
Full Tuition & Fee Awards Available for MS in Early Childhood Education — Triple Endorsement students
Teacher licensure students could be eligible for Educator Impact Grants that cover all tuition and fees for both full- and part-time students working toward earning their degree in early childhood education.
Today’s classrooms are more diverse than ever, and the need for educators who can support every child’s unique journey has never been greater. Erikson is ready to support teachers in their journey to build on the strengths of every student in their classroom with the Educator Impact Grant or the Crown Chicago Educator Impact Grant. These grants are awarded to admitted students in the Master of Early Childhood Education program who are committed to serving underinvested communities in the State of Illinois or specifically within Chicago for four years post-graduation.
Both grants are open to those eligible to obtain work authorization to work in the U.S. prior to program completion. Grants are limited and competitive. An interview (by invite only) is required. Grants are available on a first come, first served basis. Not all students who interview will be awarded a grant.
Eligibility
Must be an admitted Master’s of Early Childhood Education (triple endorsement) degree in good academic standing and enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours). The Educator Impact Grant is open to applicants who intend to work in educational settings across Illinois, whereas the Crown Chicago Educator Impact Grant requires recipients to commit to working specifically within the city of Chicago after completing their program. Additional criteria may apply based on other requirements.
For Consideration
Read and indicate ‘Yes’ to the interest question on the Program Details tab of the application for admission. Admission to the MS in Early Childhood Education — Triple Endorsement program is required before an invite to interview can be granted. As grants are limited and competitive, early application is highly recommended.
Requirements
Grants are conditioned on recipients, post-graduation, serving underinvested communities for 4 years and participating in 2 years of a professional learning community; failure to meet these conditions will require, in most cases, repayment of Erikson Institute tuition and fee amounts.
For the Educator Impact Grant, the 4-year teaching commitment must take place within the State of Illinois. For the Chicago Crown Educator Impact Grant, the 4-year teaching commitment must take place within the City of Chicago.
Recipients may be required to complete a Recipient Biography form at the beginning of the award year, which is used to compile stewardship reports for the respective donors and/or organizations.
Review Process
Inclusive of an interview with faculty, the review for grant eligibility may include but is not limited to: prior academic performance; recommendations submitted within the application; additional biographical information regarding an applicant’s career, academic and other relevant experiences; and conclusions which the committee may draw as to the applicant’s motivation, character, ability, or potential. Criteria will also include applicant’s willingness to commit to servicing underinvested communities in Illinois or Chicago for 4 years and participation in the professional learning community for 2 years post-graduation.
Utilize Federal and State Grants, Scholarships & Aid to Earn Your Early Childhood Development Degree
As an Erikson student, you could also participate in several federal and state financial aid programs. Based on your eligibility, you may have access to the following sources of funding:
HOW TO APPLY
Start Your Application for ECE, Social Work, & Child Development Program Financial Aid for Grad School
Leadership Scholarship applicants will complete a scholarship application as part of your graduate school application.
The only form you need to complete for an Affordability Scholarship is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can complete the FAFSA online for free. The Erikson code for the FAFSA is G 35103. You must have an FSA ID to complete your Renewal FAFSA on the Web. If you do not have an FSA ID, you may create one online .
Erikson’s Affordable Graduate Education
Erikson Institute offers generous financial aid packages, making a graduate degree in early childhood education, child development, and social work more affordable.
Find The Help You Need with Erikson’s Financial Aid Office
If you are awarded a scholarship, we promise to spell out in writing the amount of scholarship funding you will receive for each year that you are enrolled in your program. And there is no work or service requirement attached to our scholarship awards.
Erikson Institute Tuition & Fees
Hear From an Alum
Your Financial Aid Application Checklist for Financing Graduate School
- Gather federal income tax documents (W-2s, tax forms, etc.) and current checking and/or savings account and investment information.
- If you do not have an FSA ID, create one at Federal Student Aid.
- Submit 2024-2025 FAFSA online at studentaid.gov.
- Receive financial aid award letter after admission notification and FAFSA information received.
- Return signed award letter to Erikson’s Financial Aid Office.
If receiving federal student loans, complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and loan entrance counseling online at studentaid.gov.
Get Closer to The Career You Want with a Degree in Early Childhood Education
Discover the graduate child development degree program that will help you advance your career and help serve the needs of children and families.