Scholarships

General Scholarship Options:

National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP)

  • The applicant must:

    1. Currently attend a NACCTEP member college (MCC is a member).

    2. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible U.S. permanent resident; in good academic standing with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale);

    3. Be enrolled in and maintain a minimum of six credit hours at a NACCTEP member college during the (current academic year) SPRING semester;

    4. Be enrolled in and maintain a minimum of six credit hours at a NACCTEP member college or transfer to an education program at a four-year institution during the (following academic year) FALL semester; and

    5. Have earned a minimum of 18 college credit hours by the end of the (following academic year) FALL semester (for alternative certification/post-baccalaureate program students, credits may be from their bachelor’s degree program course of study).

  • This scholarship application window is usually early spring and due mid-March. Apply via NACCTEP application

  • For questions, contact NACCTEP: nacctep@riosalado.edu

First Things First (FTF) College Scholarship for Preschool or Childcare Employees and Volunteers

The First Things First's College Scholarship program provides the early childhood workforce access to education and training to achieve degrees, credentials and specialized skills to promote children’s development. Eligible applicants may take up to 24 college credits per year (including general studies coursework) toward completing a credential, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree in fields determined by FTF to be related to the early childhood education field, such as:

  • Early Childhood Education,
  • Early Childhood Special Education,
  • Early Childhood Administration,
  • Child Development, or
  • Child and Family Studies

FTF Eligibility:

  • Early Childhood Professional working in Arizona with or on behalf of children birth through five (priority enrollment for those who work directly with young children who do not already have a degree) or volunteering 15 hours per month in an approved birth-age 5 setting,
  • Minimum age as defined by college or university acceptance policy,
  • Earn $20.00 per hour or less,
  • Arizona Resident, and
  • Lawful Presence in the United States per A.R.S §1-502.

FTF Step 1: Apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

  • Complete your FAFSA. MCC’s federal school code is 001077.
  • If you need assistance with completing your FAFSA, you may call 1-800-433-3243.
  • Note: MCC will receive your FAFSA information 1-2 weeks after you successfully submit it online.

FTF Step 2: Begin the process for admission to Mesa Community College.

  • Create or reactivate your Maricopa Colleges student account. Go to https://my.maricopa.edu/ and in the Technical Help box on the right, click on either Create MEID or Reactivate MEID. Follow instructions to set up your account user name (MEID), your personal password, and obtain your student ID number (eight-digit number that starts with 3).
  • Return to https://my.maricopa.edu/, click the Student Center icon and log in using your MEID and your password. It may take some time after creating a password to be able to use it to log in to the system.
  • Scroll down to the Admissions section and click on the Admissions hyperlink (Mesa CC, credit/degree, the term you wish to enroll in), and continue answering the questions. When the system asks for which program you're pursuing, choose from the following options: ​
    • (AAS-ELD) Associate in Applied Science in Early Learning Development: for early childhood educators and child care professionals.
  • If you need assistance with your Maricopa student account, you may call 1-888-994-4433.

FTF Step 3: Meet with an MCC Education Studies Department advisor to develop your program of study.

  • Annapurna Ganesh, director for MCC Early Care and Education Program
  • If you have prior college credit from a non-Maricopa County Community College, please bring an unofficial copy of your transcripts with you.

FTF Step 4: Enroll in the Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry.

  • Gather the Information you will need:
    • Statement of Lawful Presence Form,
    • Front and back of picture ID's listed on Statement of Lawful Presence Form,
    • Education Plan/Course of Study provided by and signed by Annapurna Ganesh,
    • Unofficial Transcripts, and
    • Proof of FAFSA application.
  • Go to https://www.azregistry.org/ and click on Register Now.
  • Upload and submit required documentation by utilizing your Registry Account Participant File Manager.
    • Click on My Profile under My Tools & Settings (Click here for instructions), then
    • Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Participant File Manager.
  • Apply for the scholarship through the registry.
  • If you need assistance with your First Things First scholarship application, call 1-855-818-6613 or email info@thearizonaregistry.org/.
  • Note: The scholarship application process can take up to two weeks once all documentation is submitted by the scholar. Payment to MCC is required at least 35 days before your first class begins, or the same day of registration if enrolling less than 35 days before it starts.

FTF Step 5: Finish the process for MCC admissions and enrollment.

  • Due to state law, students are automatically charged out-of-state tuition until they prove residency. See LINK.
  • Enroll in classes. See LINK.
  • If your program of study is either the AAS-ELD degree or the AAEE degree, take the reading, writing and math Accuplacer placement tests in the MCC Testing Center. For sample test questions, testing locations and times, see LINK.
  • If you earned prior college credit, take steps to have them officially transferred to MCC. See LINK.

Professional Career Pathway Project (PCPP)

The Professional Career Pathway Project is a scholarship funded by the Department of Economic Security Child Care Administration through federal Child Care Development Block Grant Funds. The PCPP Offers tuition for up to 18 credits per school year for early childhood courses (CFS, ECH, EED), and a textbook stipend of $50 per credit at the college bookstore. Students may use either the First Things First scholarship or the PCPP scholarship, but not both in the same semester.

Eligibility:

  • Must work a currently registered DES program/provider (center, family, tribal providers). Note: volunteers are no longer eligible.
  • Must identify an educational goal (certificate / degree pathway) and pursue early childhood education coursework to accomplish your goal.
  • Must complete all courses paid for by the PCPP with a grade of “C” or above to maintain eligibility.

PCPP Step 1: Meet with an MCC Education Studies Department advisor to design your educational pathway.

  • Annapurna Ganesh, director for MCC Early Care and Education Program
  • If you have prior college credit from a non-Maricopa County Community College, please bring an unofficial copy of your transcripts with you.

PCPP Step 2: Enroll in the Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry.

PCPP Step 3: Complete the PCPP forms.

  • Contact Annapurna.Ganesh@mesacc.edu to obtain a paper PCPP Tuition Application and Demographic Information forms.
  • The approval process may take up to 3 weeks.

Honors Student Scholarships

  • Presidents' Honors Scholarship - LINK
  • Honors Achievement Award - LINK

Arizona Teachers Academy University Transfer Scholarships

ATA provides incentives to increase recruitment & retention of AZ teachers. It was announced in 2017 by Governor Ducey - LINK

  • ASU - LINK For most P-12 teacher certification programs; Covers tuition and mandatory fees after student has accepted all other non-loan aid.
  • NAU (extended campuses included) - LINK For most P-12 teacher certification programs; Covers tuition and fee costs after all other grants and scholarships have been applied.
  • UA - LINK For post-baccalaureate students only.