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For anyone who wants to begin college, return to college or take college courses, finances should not be a barrier. If you are a member of the after-school or youth development workforce, you may be eligible for a scholarship, grant, loan or paid employment, depending on your individual needs and circumstances.

Read on to learn more about your options. To receive personalized advice or more information, contact Damali Dublin at (646) 943-8848, or ddublin@afterschoolexcellence.org.

Center Financial Assistance

The Center for After-School Excellence offers scholarships to after-school or youth development staff members who are enrolled in any of our certificate programs, and whose employers participate in the Partners in Excellence program. Check to see if the organization where you work is a partner.

If you don’t see your organization listed, you should speak to your site coordinator or program director. Organizations which are interested in becoming Center Partners in Excellence should contact Chymeka Olfonse, Director of Operations, at (646) 943-8847, or e-mail colfonse@afterschoolexcellence.org.

If you have not taken the Introductory Course for After-School Staff which is offered at Hunter College, and you are interested, the Center offers financial assistance to eligible program staff. To learn if you are eligible, contact Damali Dublin at (646) 943-8848 or ddublin@afterschoolexcellence.org.

Education Incentive Program (EIP)

The Education Incentive Program (EIP) is a scholarship program for child care providers who work in a facility regulated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services or the New York Department of Health. You can find out if your program is licensed, and if you are eligible for this scholarship, by checking with the coordinator or director of the program where you work. You may apply for this scholarship if you currently care for children as a:

  • Registered family child care provider
  • Licensed group family child care provider or assistant (substitutes are not eligible)
  • Child care classroom staff in a registered school-age program
  • Child care classroom staff in a licensed child care center or Head Start.
    * In New York City, volunteers and staff members who hold permanent or professional New York state teaching certificates are not eligible. Staff working with youth ages 13 and older are not eligible.

For additional information on EIP, please download Financial Aid FAQ - EIP (PDF). 

Financial Aid

Financial aid is any grant, loan or paid employment offered to help a student meet his or her college expenses. It is based on need. To learn more about the different forms of financial aid and the application process, you can visit:

Grants & Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are forms of aid that students receive but do not have to repay. These include:

  • FSEOG: This is a federal grant that colleges award to students who are seeking degrees, and who have exceptional need. You must use the FAFSA form to apply.
  • EOP: This is an award for New York State residents who are academically and economically disadvantaged. Students must be in school full-time and working toward a degree. You must use the FAFSA form to apply.
  • APTS: This is a grant for part-time students enrolled in 3-to-11 credit hours per semester.

Please be aware that scholarships are derived from a variety of sources. There are scholarships based on:

  • Athletics
  • Academics
  • Heritage
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Unions
  • Community Affiliations

To learn more about available scholarships, please visit the College Answer website or Fast Web.

For additional information on financial aid and the application process, please download Financial Aid FAQ - FAFSA (PDF).

You may also contact Damali Dublin at (646) 943-8848 or ddublin@afterschoolexcellence.org.