Tuition Assistance – Early Childhood Education

Looking to increase your education and qualifications for your Early Childhood Education career while working in that career?

The Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund might be a great fit for you!

Apply for the Maryland State Department of Education Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund (CCCPDF) program and earn your A.A.S. or A.A.T. in Early Childhood Education with financial assistance from MSDE..

The Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund covers the cost of degree-required courses, fees and books based on the availability of funds as provided by the State of Maryland on an annual basis. Graduation with your two-year degree is required for proper completion of the program.  

Please note that the program is not a loan but a grant that must be fulfilled with a service commitment (see below). Not meeting the service commitment will result in the immediate payback by the student of the funds provided to the student. All applicants should be prepared to continue with the program throughout the complete path to their chosen degree once they begin with the grant.

Applications are open from Jan. 1 – March 2 for the 2026 CCCPDF Grant.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be credentialed at a level two or higher (must have their 45 Clock Hours of Core of Knowledge Training)
• Applicants must have at least one year of experience at an early learning center or family child care center
• Applicants must be working a minimum of 10 hours per week in a licensed Early Childhood Education environment in the State of Maryland at the time of education and continuously during their education
• A 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) measured from the time of entry into the grant is required to maintain participation in the program
• Applicants must be in and remain in good standing with the college.
• Upon mandatory graduation from the program, you are required to begin your service commitment. This commitment is completed in an approved Early Childhood Education setting by working at least 20 hours per week.
• The service commitment is required and equates to two years for an associate degree (or possibly less if the program was begun towards the end of the student’s education at Carroll).

Why Earn Your Associate Degree at Carroll?

In addition to a high-quality program designed to produce skilled and influential instructional leaders, our students also benefit from:

• Accessible Grant Coordinator who works with students to move them along in the degree program, provide troubleshooting when needed to encourage success, and assist with general student needs related to the grant program, such as advising on course registration.
• Fully staffed and available Academic Center and Tutoring to assist in coursework.
• Flexible classes offered in in-person, hybrid and online formats to meet the needs of students with varied work schedules.
• The ability to gain experience in the classroom by participating in required Directed Practicum work.
• On-campus Early Childhood Development Center where students can apply the skills they learn in class.
• The opportunity to prepare to transfer to a four-year school while possibly continuing in the CCCPDF grant (where available).