2026-27 ECACE Scholarship Application Available Priority Consideration Date: May 31

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The 2026-27 application for the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program is now available to complete and submit. 

Please be sure to carefully read this communication before completing and submitting an application. 

General Information 

• The ECACE Scholarship Program was created to address the shortage of early childhood educators and build a well-prepared workforce by encouraging the pursuit of credentials and advancement of already-held degrees in early childhood education. 
• Awards are available for study at public and non-profit private two- and four-year Gateways-entitled and Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity member institutions. 
• Applicants must submit an ECACE application and the FAFSA or Alternative Application for each academic year in which benefits are to be used. 
  • The priority consideration date for the 2026-27 ECACE Scholarship application and the 2026-27 FAFSA or Alternative Application is May 31, 2026.
    • Applications received after May 31 may still be considered for an award if scholarship funds are still available after all on-time eligible applicants have been awarded. 
  • To determine your eligibility for the scholarship, the ECACE-participating Illinois college at which you plan to use the award must be listed on your FAFSA or Alternative Application. 
  • Be sure to review the program eligibility requirements for the 2026-27 academic year prior to submitting an application. 
• Although there is no teaching commitment connected to the award, recipients are expected to continue or return to teaching or direct services in the early childhood care and education field after they complete their program of study. 
• Learn more about the program – including eligibility requirements and how to apply – by visiting these resources at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) website (isac.org): 
  • ECACE information page 
  • ECACE application 
  • FAFSA information and access to application 
  • Alternative Application information and access to application

Need Assistance Completing the FAFSA?

• Book a free virtual appointment with our ISAC FAFSA experts at https://bit.ly/4birpF5. 
• Participate in an upcoming Financial Aid Application Completion Workshop. 
  • Find an event near you by visiting the Events page, which is located in the ISACorps section of the ISAC Student Portal. 

Additional Teaching Resources 

Visit the Teaching page of the Students & Parents area of the ISAC website to find links to resources that
include (but are not limited to):

• details about teacher preparation and certification in Illinois; 
• information on state and federal gift assistance programs that are designed for students who plan to teach; and, 
• facts about state and federal loan cancellation/forgiveness/repayment programs that are available for teachers. 

Invite Your Colleagues/Friends to Subscribe to ISAC's e-Messaging Service 

If you have colleagues or friends who may be interested in the "Students" and/or "Teaching Professionals/Education Major Students" groups but do not currently subscribe to ISAC's e-Messaging service, encourage them to sign up at the Students/Parents e-Messaging page.