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Early Education Teacher Development Grant

UPDATE ON LIMITED FUNDS: As of July 2025, due to limited funding, stipend distributions are currently on hold. However, please continue to submit Grade Verifications and required backup documentation. We will review documents and release stipends as funds become available. Please note, funding is not guaranteed.

The EETDG is designed to support a portion of the tuition costs for California's current and future early educator workforce. EETDG Tuition Support Stipends will be awarded to candidates intending to advance their career as a California State Preschool/Head Start or Transitional Kindergarten Teacher employed within Riverside County. The grant is divided into four different tracks designed to support specific career goals described below.

Program Ends Spring 2026 - Or until grant funds are exhausted.
Due to the high number of submissions, applications received
after March 21, 2025, were added to a waitlist.

As of August 4, 2025, we are not accepting new applications, and the waitlist is full.

Apply for one of the below four tracks to see if you qualify to receive the EETDG Tuition Support Stipend.

For teachers in a school district or charter school needing early childhood development units to teach Transitional Kindergarten (TK). Teachers do not need to be assigned to TK to participate in this grant:

Track 1: Early Education/Child Development 
Tuition Support Stipend: $300 per unit, not to exceed $7,200 per person.

For early educators interested in obtaining a Multiple Subject, Preschool to Third Grade (PK-3), or Early Childhood Special Education Teaching Credential required to teach TK or above, Career Technical Education for early childhood and family studies, or Administrative Credential to support TK-12 early education for candidates who currently hold a Child Development Program Director Permit. This Track is intended for coursework that is required for a credential to support the growth of Transitional Kindergarten:

Track 2: Credential Pathway
Tuition Support Stipend: $650 per unit, not to exceed $19,500 per person

For all educators interested in obtaining early childhood development units to apply for or upgrade their Child Development Permit as required to become a preschool teacher, site supervisor, or director:

Track 3: Child Development Teacher Permit or Above
Tuition Support Stipend: $300 per unit, not to exceed $7,200 per person

For all educational staff interested in obtaining infant/toddler growth and development units in order to support 0-3 year old children:

Track 4: Infant/Toddler Growth and Development
Tuition Support Stipend: $300 per unit, not to exceed $3,600 per person

As of August 4, 2025, we are not accepting new applications.

Due to the high number of submissions, applications received after March 21, 2025, were added to a waitlist, and the waitlist is full.

Once your application is accepted and eligible course units are completed with a passing grade of C or better, complete the EETDG Tuition Support Stipend Grade Verification form (link below) and follow instructions outlined on the form to initiate stipend distribution. Distribution of funds are based on availability.

EETDG Grade Verification for Teacher Support Stipend-English (PDF)

EETDG Grade Verification for Teacher Support Stipend-Spanish (PDF)

Required Document for non-RCOE employees: Form W-9 (Rev. October 2018) (irs.gov)

Have you moved? If you have moved, be sure to complete and email a new Form W-9 to reflect the correct address in our vendor system.

Submit completed Grade Verification form and required documentation to eetdg@rcoe.us

Grade Verifications and ALL required documentation must be emailed in PDF format. Not submitting ALL required documents may result in delays and may impact the availability of funds.

Important note: In order to comply with EETDG's Grant Award Notification and fiscal year regulations, all eligible courses must be completed by participants between July 1, 2022 - May 30, 2026.

EETDG Frequently Asked Questions

Update on Limited Funds: As of July 2025, due to limited funding, stipend distributions are currently on hold. However, please continue to submit Grade Verifications and required backup documentation. We will review documents and release stipends as funds become available. Please note, funding is not guaranteed.

July 2025 marks the third year of the Early Education Teacher Development Grant (EETDG). Since its launch, the grant has managed over 1,100 applications and awarded more than 1,300 stipends. This successful initiative has empowered early educators to pursue their career goals and has significantly contributed to strengthening the early education workforce within Riverside County.

HOW TO APPLY

As of 8/4/25, we are not accepting new applications. 

Applications received after March 21, 2025 were added to the waitlist. 

Step 1: Email the following documents in PDF format to eetdg@rcoe.us

  • Completed EETDG Application
  • Current proof of employment – paystub (Not applicable if unemployed)
  • Brief letter of intent of early education career goals

Once your documents have been reviewed and accepted by the RCOE EEDG Committee, an email will be sent with instructions for Step 2.

Once accepted, and eligible course units are completed with a passing grade of C or better (between July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2026), submit documents for Step 2.

Step 2: Email the following documents in PDF format to eetdg@rcoe.us

Not submitting all required documents can result in delays or the unavailability of funds.

Grade Verifications received from July 2025 to present will be reviewed; however, stipends are on hold and will be released as funds become available. Note, funding is not guaranteed.

  • Completed Grade Verification Form - Click the link to download the form
    • Candidate MUST sign or electronically sign (type) form
    • Be sure to enter a valid mailing address (not place of employment), as the address on file is where a check will be mailed
  • Transcripts
    • Unofficial transcripts are accepted only if posted between July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2026
  • Proof of coursework payment
    • College financial statement – other funding sources do not affect the EETDG
  • Current proof of employment – paystub (Not applicable if unemployed)
  • Brief letter of intent of early education career goals
  • Form W-9 - Form W-9 (Rev. October 2018) (irs.gov) - Click link to download form
    • Exception: RCOE employees do not need to complete this form
    • Candidate MUST sign or electronically sign (type) form
    • The stipend cannot be processed without this completed and signed form
    • The Form W-9 is a one-time only submission, unless you have moved
    • If you have moved since receiving a stipend, you must complete a revised Form W9 with a current address – not updating your address will delay stipend distribution

 **Not submitting all required documents will delay the stipend process or result in the unavailability of funds.

EETDG participants can submit the Grade Verification form and supporting documents after each completed course or once all qualified courses are completed. Email all documents to eetdg@rcoe.us. 

Availability of Funds: It is to your advantage to submit required documents immediately following completion of courses, as funds are limited based on availability. Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and are not guaranteed.

Yes, all current and future early educators intending to be employed within Riverside County are eligible to apply for EETDG funds. Courses taken must fall under at least one of the four EETDG tracks toward early education.

No. This grant is specific to California’s Early Educator workforce. Funds will be allocated only toward ECE units, MS credentials to teach TK or above, child development permit increase, and infant/toddler growth and development courses.

Tuition support stipends will be distributed once eligible courses have been fulfilled and the grade verification of passing grade of C or better has been completed by authorized RCOE staff. Applicants can submit the Grade Verification form after each completed course or once all qualified courses are completed.

EETDG PROGRAM ENDS SPRING 2026
(Or until grant funds are exhausted)

The EETDG timeline is July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2026. However, in order to comply with EETDG's Grant Award Notification and fiscal year regulations, all eligible courses must be completed by participants between July 1, 2022 - May 30, 2026.

  • Applications received after March 21, 2025 will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Grade Verifications and required documentation must be emailed to eetdg@rcoe.us. Beginning July 2025, stipends are on hold and will be released as funds become available.

It is to your advantage to submit required paperwork immediately following completion of courses, as funds are limited based on availability.

If you are enrolled in qualified courses on or after July 1, 2022, and complete the eligible courses by June 30, 2026, yes, you qualify for the EETDG Tuition Support Stipend.

The Tuition Support Stipend will vary and be determined by the educational track and availability of funds per EETDG tracks listed below:

  • Track 1: Early Education/Child Development
    Tuition Support Stipend: $300 per unit, not to exceed $7,200 per person.
  • Track 2: Credential Pathway
    Tuition Support Stipend: $650 per unit, not to exceed $19,500 per person
  • Track 3: Child Development Teacher Permit or Above
    Tuition Support Stipend: $300 per unit, not to exceed $7,200 per person
  • Track 4: Infant/Toddler Growth and Development
    Tuition Support Stipend: $300 per unit, not to exceed $3,600 per person

Processing times vary; however, it does take several weeks before a check is mailed. After you have qualified for the grant, completed eligible coursework, and the Grade Verification form has been approved, a tuition support stipend check will be mailed directly to the address on the Form W-9 and/or application form. Applicants can submit the Grade Verification form after each completed course or once all qualified courses are completed.

Yes, all participants must enroll themselves into an accredited institution for higher education (IHE) college or university. If you would like information on an accredited IHE, contact eetdg@rcoe.us. 

No. Prior completion of courses within the four EETDG tracks do not qualify. Eligible courses must be completed within the EETDG timeframe of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2026.

To meet the early education workforce need for working professionals to access college programs and associated costs of furthering early childhood education, the below tuition support stipend increases have been implemented for the duration of the EETDG. Retroactive stipend checks will automatically be mailed (by mid-December) to EETDG candidates who received the original rate. No action is needed.

Note: If you have moved since receiving your last EETDG tuition support stipend, you must email an updated Form W-9 to eetdg@rcoe.us as soon as possible. Not updating your address on the Form W-9 will delay receipt of all stipends.

EETDG Tuition Support Stipend Approved Increase

Track 1
Increased from $150 per unit to $300 per unit
Increased maximum from $3,600 to $7,200

Track 2
Increased from $300 per unit to $650 per unit
Increased maximum from $9,000 to $19,500

Track 3
Increased from $150 per unit to $300 per unit
Increased maximum from $3,600 to $7,200

Track 4
Increased from $150 per unit to $300 per unit
Increased maximum from $1,800 to $3,600