The Early Learning Equity (ELE) Scholarship seeks to diversify and increase the number of highly qualified early educators and leaders in WA state, reducing financial need barriers they encounter in obtaining an early learning bachelor's degree. The scholarship will cover students' unment financial need, including cost of attendance in their final 2 years of their program! Students who identify as BIPOC, particularly those who identify as Black or African American, Native American/American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and/or Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e are highly encouraged to apply.
The ELE Scholarship is made possible by an extremely generous gift from the Ballmer Group.
Eligibility and Criteria
The following factors will be considered in the selection process for the ELE Scholarship:
- Be a Washington state resident
- Recently applied to be an incoming student, or returning to UW after at least one year away, in one of our early learning bachelor’s degree programs:
- Submitted one of the following financial aid applications for the upcoming academic year:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)
- DACA recipients and other undocumented students should submit this form to be eligible for state assistance and this scholarship
- Students who identify as part of an underrepresented minority group
- First-generation students. The University of Washington defines first-generation as:
- An individual, neither of whose parents completed a baccalaureate degree.
- An individual who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree.
- An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or adoptive parent.
- If your parent(s) and/or guardian(s) attended college but do not have a bachelor’s degree (i.e., did not graduate), you are first-generation.
- Students intending to work in early learning education field after graduation, preferably in Washington state (i.e. preschool teacher, childcare worker, family support services for early childcare center, etc.)
Apply for the Fall 2023 Scholarship
The deadline to apply is August 15, 2023. Before applying, be sure you have:
- Been accepted into (or awaiting your decision letter) the ECE or ECFS program for an Autumn 2023 start
- Submitted either a FAFSA or WASFA for the 2023-2024 academic year
For questions about the scholarship, contact your adviser or the Community Liaison & College Navigator, Sala Sataraka at salas@uw.edu.
