ECACE Frequently Asked Questions

To receive the ECACE scholarship, you must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on a full- or part-time (at least 3 credit hours) basis at an approved Illinois institution.  You can still apply for the ECACE scholarship if you are not currently enrolled, but during the application process you must select the institution you plan to attend. The code for Northern Illinois University is 001737.

When applying for the ECACE scholarship, you must select the institution you plan to attend. If you are undecided, list your first choice of the college you plan to attend. If necessary, you can change that after your application has been submitted.

The order in which you apply is up to you, but be aware that the ECACE Scholarship priority deadline was July 15, 2022. You may still apply for the scholarship after the priority deadline. When you complete the ECACE application, you will need to indicate the college you plan to attend. If you are undecided, list your first choice of the college you plan to attend. If necessary, you can change that after your application has been submitted.

NIU is a four-year institution and approved ECACE member serving the entire northern Illinois region, including Chicago. You are not restricted to specific institutions in your area for using your ECACE funds. However, the institution must be an approved ECACE member.

Apply now using the 2022-23 Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program application if you meet the following criteria:

• Current juniors or seniors (completed at least 60 credit hours) who are part of the ECE incumbent workforce.
• Transfer students who plan to start their degree program in spring 2023 or summer 2023.

July 15, 2022 was the deadline for priority funding consideration, but you can still submit an application after that date.

ISAC has produced a video to walk students through applying for the scholarship. 

No. If you are not starting your program until fall 2023 (and not taking any summer 2023 classes) you will need to wait until the 2023-2024 Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program application is available on the ISAC website. The 2023-2024 application should be posted in early summer 2023.

Yes, an ECACE Scholarship application must be submitted for each academic year in which benefits are to be used. You also need to complete the FAFSA for the same academic year that you are applying for the scholarship.

No, but you must submit the FAFSA to be eligible for the ECACE scholarship. The FAFSA results will be used to prioritize awarding, although you do not need to demonstrate financial need to receive the award. The FAFSA also helps to establish what the costs associated with your college attendance will be, making your financial award more accurate.

The ECACE website does not specify a number of required hours, just the age band (birth to age 5).

Priority will be given to returning students until the program ends, but you must reapply for the scholarship each academic year.

Each student will work with their NIU academic advisor to map out a degree-completion plan. This will include credits from the prior learning assessment and whether classes can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Funding applications for the ECACE program will be available through June 30, 2024, so while it is possible you may not complete your degree, if only attending part-time, it is still a great benefit to you in furthering your education.

For students attending community colleges and public universities, the scholarship will cover the applicant's total cost of attendance for an academic year (including summer) after other financial aid is received.

While the ECACE scholarship is only available to juniors or seniors at 4-year institutions, you can receive the scholarship to attend an Illinois community college to earn your associate degree.  If you wish to attend NIU or another 4-year institution, you may be eligible to receive funding through the Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship program. This scholarship will pay the participating college or university a percentage of the cost of tuition (up to 100%), dependent upon your income level. To be eligible for this scholarship you must work an average of 15 hours per week in an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) licensed program* or Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) funded Preschool for All/Expansion program, meet income guidelines, and commit to future work in early care and education in IL (IDCFS licensed or ISBE funded). For more information about the Gateways scholarship, including eligibility requirements and the application process, please watch the Understanding the Gateways Scholarship Program Webinar or visit the Gateway Scholarship website.

*If you do not currently work for a DCFS licensed childcare program, consider student employment at the award-winning NIU Child Development and Family Center. Working at least 15 hours per week at the CDFC for 90 days could qualify you for the Gateways Scholarship. Please visit https://www.chhs.niu.edu/child-center/about/staff.shtml for more information.

After you submit your application, you will immediately receive an email confirming that your application was received at ISAC. Be sure the financial aid office of the college you plan to attend knows you will be enrolling and that you have submitted an ECACE Scholarship Program application. After ISAC determines that both the ECACE Scholarship application and the FAFSA have been submitted, you will receive a letter stating that your application is considered complete. There is nothing more for you to do at this point.

If your application, including required documentation, is incomplete, you will receive a letter from ISAC explaining the reason(s) and advising you how to resolve the issue.

There is nothing more for you to do at this point. Your college (the one you indicated you planned to attend) will certify your eligibility and request payment on your behalf. Program funds are disbursed directly to the college. If the college determines you are not eligible, you will receive a Notice of Ineligibility.

You will immediately receive an e-mail confirming that your application was received at ISAC. Application processing time may be up to four weeks. Please remember that applications are processed in the order they are received, so it’s important to apply for the scholarship as soon as possible.

ECACE is designed to be as student friendly for transfer as possible. Specific questions about courses should be directed to an NIU academic advisor.

• For the College of Education, contact: Amber Ruland at aruland@niu.edu.
• For the School of Family and Consumer Sciences, contact: Tifarah Jackson at t_jackson@niu.edu.

If you don’t have an associate’s degree or 60 credit hours of college credit, you can only use your ECACE funds at a community college. If you plan on attending a four-year institution, you must be at the junior level or above (60 credit hours), or hold an Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, or Associate of Science degree focused in early childhood education.

There are a total of 50 ECACE scholarships available at the post-baccalaureate and/or master’s level for the entire state. You are welcome to apply for these funds, but the scholarships will be highly competitive and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education
College of Education Office for Student Success
815-753-8352
coestudentsuccess@niu.edu

Learn more about applying to NIU.

Term                                                   Deadline

Spring 2023                                         Dec. 1, 2022

Summer 2023                                      May 15, 2023

Fall 2023                                              Aug. 1, 2023

You can find a list of approved EC-ACE schools on the ISAC website.