Scholarships for Your Early Childhood Graduate Degree
Scholarships Overview
Access to premier education shouldn’t depend on your financial situation.
At Erikson, we help build pathways for aid and degree completion for all students using Erikson scholarships, external scholarships, and access to state and federal programs. Erikson awards over $2 million in scholarship and aid each year.
Our vision is to provide easy access to our distinctive and high-quality education to diverse populations so that you can reach your academic and professional goals.
You may be eligible for multiple scholarships offered by Erikson, in addition to other sources of aid. You are as unique as each financial award at Erikson. We know your life changes and we will work to support you throughout your journey with us.
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
These scholarships are merit-based and awarded to admitted students in master’s or certificate programs who have demonstrated academic and professional achievement, as well as strong potential for leadership in their chosen fields. Leadership Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis.
Leadership Scholarships are available for both U.S. and international entering students. Other requirements and criteria may apply.
Must be a fully-admitted master’s degree or graduate certificate student and enrolled at least half-time (3 credit hours). Additional criteria may apply based on any named scholarships with other requirements.
Complete the scholarship application including one essay, in addition to the admissions application for the degree or certificate program of your choice.
The review 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 may also include applicant’s place of residence, past or future attendance at a particular school or past or proposed course of study.
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.
Awards may vary based on additional scholarship requirements, such as but not limited to, degree program, program modality, chosen field and/or service commitment.
Established to honor Barbara Bowman, Erikson’s cofounder, former president, and current faculty member, this award recognizes Barbara’s deep commitment to social justice and her unparalleled impact on the field of early childhood. Recipients are selected for their record of academic success and their demonstrated commitment to social justice.
Established by the John and Kathleen Schreiber Foundation, this scholarship is designed to support educators and activists who are seeking to complete a master’s degree. Ideal candidates will have had a demonstrable impact with respect to social justice movements in their communities through past and present volunteer, professional, and educational experiences. Ten students will be awarded this $10,000 scholarship.
Established in honor of Erikson Institute’s cofounder, former president, and current faculty member Barbara T. Bowman, these scholarships are awarded annually to two entering on-campus master’s degree students who have demonstrated a commitment to creating a more equitable world for children.
Established in honor of Cari Sacks, an Erikson alumna and longtime member of our Board of Trustees, this is intended to encourage and support on-campus students who have made a commitment to the fields of early childhood and family services and who are most likely to have a significant impact on the profession. Only one incoming master’s degree student will receive this honor each year to cover full tuition (38 credits).
Named in honor of businessman and philanthropist Irving B. Harris, one of Erikson’s founders and a long-time advocate for young children, Harris Scholarships are intended to encourage and support students who are most likely to have a significant impact on their chosen fields of child development, social work or early childhood education.
Need-Based Scholarships
Demonstrated need is determined by Expected Family Contribution (EFC) obtained from a completed FAFSA. EFC takes into consideration several indices including household size, debt, investments, and income to name a few.
Affordability scholarships are open to U.S. citizens and legal residents.
Must be a U.S. citizen, a fully admitted master’s degree or graduate certificate student, and enrolled at least half-time (3 credit hours).
Complete the federal financial aid application (FAFSA) in addition to the admissions application to the master’s degree or certificate program of your choice.
The review may include, but are not limited to, the following: FAFSA data which contains Adjusted Gross Income, Household Size, NSLDS Student Loan Debt, financial need and conclusions which the Committee may draw as to the applicant’s motivation, character, ability, or potential.
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.
ERIKSON SCHOLARSHIP
Earn an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate
As a student in the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate Program, you could qualify for one of a limited number of special scholarships for experienced infant/family specialist and mental health professionals. The scholarship valued at 25% of tuition is awarded to a select group of students.
PHD SCHOLARSHIPS
As a PhD student you may be eligible for one of Erikson’s limited number of doctoral scholarships and assistantships each year.
These are awarded to new doctoral students at the time of admission to the program based on academic promise, experience, and research interest. Doctoral scholarships provide tuition support for up to 24 credit hours of course work and do not have a service requirement.
Doctoral assistantships are awarded contingent upon available funding through faculty research and community engagement projects. Assistantships are valued at $22,000 for 20 hours of work over a 50-week period each year.
All other types of financial assistance for doctoral students, such as federal or private student loans, are handled through Loyola University Chicago. Learn more about your eligibility for and availability of student loans from Loyola University of Chicago .
If you are an Illinois resident seeking initial teacher licensure you may qualify for this scholarship through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. The MTI scholarship is limited to minority students. Both programs require a commitment to teach in Illinois and a promissory note. Scholarship application deadline is March 1.
If you are enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Master’s program leading to initial teacher licensure and bilingual/ESL endorsements, you may be eligible for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program. You must agree to complete a teaching service obligation within designated schools.
Learn more about available scholarships, grants, and aid by speaking with our Financial Aid Office today.