You could receive a Gateways Scholarship to help pay for your college coursework if you...

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1. Care for Illinois children in an IDCFS licensed program or ISBE funded Preschool for All program.

   Employed by an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) licensed full-day/full-year child care program in one of the following positions: center director, assistant director, teacher, assistant teacher, school-age teacher, or school-age assistant. 

   OR

   Employed by/own an IDCFS licensed full-day/full-year family/group child care home in one of the following positions: family child care provider, family child care assistant, group home provider, or group home assistant. 

   OR

   Employed by an IDCFS licensed school-age care program operating nine months per year in one of the following positions: center director, assistant director, teacher, assistant teacher, school-age teacher, school-age assistant. 
   
   OR
   
   Employed by an ISBE funded Preschool for All program that operates a minimum of 9 months per year, as a teacher or teacher's aide.  

2. Have been employed at your current program for at least a one year. 
3. Work an average of 15 hours per week. 
4. Meet wage requirements.

   The maximum hourly wage is $24.00. Your hourly wage determines the amount the Gateways Scholarship will pay for tuition.

   % of tuition Gateways Scholarship Program Would Pay	Applicant responsibility to college or university.	Hourly Wage	Gross Yearly Wage Working Full Time
   100	0	up to $12.50	up to $26,020
   90	10	$12.51 - $15.00	$26,021 - $31,220
   80	20	$15.01 - $18.00	$37,460 - $43,699
   70	30	$18.01 - $21.00	$37,460 - $43,699
   60	40	$21.01 - $24.00	$43,700 - $49,920

   Gateways Scholarship Program will not pay out of district costs.
5. Be a citizen of the United States or a legal resident.
6. Commit to future work in early care and education or school-age care depending on scholarship type.

   Work commitment periods follow:

   • 6 months for completion of a coursework contract
   • 1 year for AA or AAS completion
   • 1 year for BS or MS completion
   • 1 year for certificate, approval, endorsement completion

   The work commitment must be completed in one of the following early care and education or school-age care programs:

   • IDCFS licensed full-day, full-year family/group child care home
   • IDCFS licensed full-day, full-year child care center
   • Licensed school-age program operating a minimum of 9 months a year 
   • ISBE funded Preschool for All program