FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can I take classes online?
Answer: Yes. If the class is through any Washington State community or technical college, click on colleges , or visit Washington Online to search for online options in the state of Washington.
Question: Does my center have to participate?
Answer: Yes, the child care center in which you work needs to support you by paying 15% of tuition and books for the general scholarship or 15% of the assessment fee for the CDA Assessment scholarship. They will need to fill out the center participation agreement in the application. We require that your center supports you to help create sustainability within the field. We strive to maintain high levels of quality within the field, and therefore ask that your center participate in this process, as they too will reap the benefits of your education.
Question: Which college can I attend?
Answer: You may attend any community or technical college within Washington State.
Question: What kind of certificate or degree can I get?
Answer: You may pursue the certificate or degree which best suits your individual needs. Most scholars are pursuing a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, ECE certificate or two year degree. There are many different two year degree options available in Early Childhood Education in the state. You will want to research which options are available in your area and if they meet your educational and professional goals.
If you are considering transferring to a four year college or university in the future we highly recommend you take that into consideration when choosing a two year degree program, as not all two year programs transfer into all four year colleges and universities. For this reason, we suggest you check into transfer and articulation agreements early on in your search.
Question: Does my spouse’s income count towards my eligibility?
Answer: Your eligibility is based on your income alone. We do require your spouse’s income on the application (Earning Job #2 under Applicant’s Income), although we do not use the household income to establish your hourly rate of pay and scholarship eligibility.
Question: I just received a call from the counselor saying I was approved. Now what?
Answer: You will receive your award packet by mail. It will include two copies of your contract (Form A), Form Bs, Form Cs, and other program information and instructions. Fill out the enclosed W-9 and return it with the signed contract. If you are a center participant, your center must also sign the contract, as well as return a W-9 and center information form.
Question: Now that I am approved, how do I register?
Answer: You will want to go to the college and register for your course/s. Ask the college to put your classes on hold and that you are a recipient of WA Scholarships. After you have registered, be sure to call your counselor immediately. You will be asked to provide the course name and number for your course/s, the number of credits and the college you will be attending. You can also email or fax a student schedule directly to us. We will send a voucher to the college once we have verified and approved your courses. Please note, if anything changes with your schedule be sure to contact your counselor to update your records and ensure the correct voucher has been sent.
Question: Now that I am registered, what do I need to do next?
Answer: Once you are registered, and have purchased your books, fill out the Form B and submit with your student schedule and original book receipts. Without your Form B, we cannot reimburse for release time nor can we register you for the next quarter. Form B is an important and required form and must be submitted each quarter that you are registered regardless of purchasing books or not.
Question: I filled out my Form B and sent in the required information. What happens next?
Answer: Once we verify we have received the required and complete information, we will reimburse 90% of books; award a $50 travel stipend and deduct 10% for tuition. The net benefit will be awarded to you as a check or invoice. At this time, if you are a center participant, your center will also be billed for their 15% portion of tuition and books.
Question: What do I do with the Form C?
Answer: Form C is to be completed and returned twice during each quarter; once at mid-term (6 weeks) and the remaining time at the end of term (12 weeks). This is release time (paid at $7.50/hour, increasing July 1, 2006 to $8.50/hour) that you can claim to attend class, travel to class, or study. The maximum amount you may claim is 3 hours per week. How you schedule release time is up to you and your center, but we do expect the release time to be taken each quarter that the student is enrolled, and to be request in a timely manner. If you are a center participant, release time is paid to your sponsoring center, and we expect that they pay you your regular wage during your regular pay period. It is a reimbursement; not an advance.
Question: What if I drop a class?
Answer: Follow college guidelines for registration, adding/dropping courses, etc. If you drop a class past the 100% refund deadline, you may have to reimburse WA Scholarships if the class was not dropped in a timely manner and we had already paid the college. You will not be able to register for the next quarter until the class is paid in full.
Question: What if I fail a class?
Answer: If you fail a class, WA Scholarships will pay for you to retake it, and earn a passing grade, once. If you do not retake the class you will have to repay the tuition. Please call your college advisor and/or Scholarship Counselor if you are having difficulty with courses to discuss options before you fail a class.
Question: What if I am having difficulty with coursework?
Answer: Please call your college advisor and/or Scholarship Counselor if you are having trouble with courses to discuss options.
Question: I hear I may be eligible for a bonus. How does that work?
Answer: The first half of your bonus ($150) is awarded after you have completed a minimum of 12 credits and two quarters in a contract year. The bonus will be paid once we verify that your file is completely up to date and in good standing. The second half of your bonus will follow in 6 months once we verify you are still employed and again, we have received all the necessary information and your file is completely up to date. As you receive bonuses from WA Scholarships, we will also send a reminder letter to your center to pay their promised bonus.
Question: Now that my one-year contract is complete, what is the renewal process?
Answer: We usually begin the renewal process during the last quarter of your current contract. If you have submitted all the necessary forms, grades, and have a completely updated file, an award packet will be mailed to you (and your center if you are a center participant). You will need to sign and complete the information in the renewal packet and return to us in a timely manner (along with a current pay stub). Without a current, signed contract, we will not be able to register you for the next quarter. If you decide you are unable to accept the contract, please contact your Scholarship Counselor as soon as possible. We would like every scholar to continue until they complete their degree, if possible. We have an on-going waitlist and we would like the opportunity to present the scholarship to someone who is able to accept the contract terms.
Your Scholarship Coordinators are here to help ensure you are successful in college, and in your career. Please feel free to call with any questions or concerns you may have. (866) 308-3224.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
