ECDA SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION (ECCE) BACHELOR AND MASTER DEGREE PROGRAMMES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General
1. What is the ECDA Scholarship?
The ECDA Scholarships are offered to outstanding and deserving early childhood educators who wish to pursue a part-time Bachelor or Master Degree in Early Childhood Education.
The Scholarship is designed to support in-service educators who have demonstrated the competency level of at least a Senior Pre-school Teacher, possess strong leadership qualities and are committed to taking on larger roles in the organisation or Early Childhood sector. As part of the support given to the Scholarship recipients, ECDA and the nominating centre will work closely with the recipients e.g. by providing paid study leave to complete assignments and/or prepare for / sit for examinations, and further professional development and networking opportunities.
2. How do I know if I have demonstrated the competency level of at least a Senior Pre-school Teacher?
Please refer to the Skills Map for Senior Pre-School Teacher under the Skills Framework for Early Childhood Care & Education here. In your application for the ECDA Scholarship, your nominating centre will need to rate and describe your competency level for each sub-domain, together with documentary evidences. Please refer to the application form for details on the rubrics and information required.
3. If I apply for the ECDA Scholarship, do I need to apply directly to the Programme Provider for entry into the Programme?
Yes. Applicants are advised to apply for both the Scholarship and the programme at the same time. Apart from meeting all Scholarship application and interview requirements, applicants are required to secure a place in the Programme before they can be offered the Scholarship.
4. What is the selection process for the ECDA Scholarship application?
Shortlisted applicants will be required to complete a written essay and attend an interview at ECDA. ECDA will make the final decision with regard to the selection of recipients, and no further appeals will be considered.
5. I have started on the programme. Can I still apply for the ECDA Scholarship?
Applicants are required to apply for the Scholarship prior to commencement of the programme. Please refer to the application period stated above.
6. Are all in-service educators eligible to apply for the ECDA Scholarship?
Yes, all educators currently employed in an ECDA-registered/licensed preschool or MOE Kindergarten can apply for the ECDA Scholarship. Please send your applications directly to ECDA.
Benefits & Liquidated Damages
7. The programme fees for Singaporeans are different from the programme fees for Permanent Residents. Will the sponsored programme fees for the Scholarship also be different?
Yes. The sponsored programme fees for Permanent Residents are capped at the fees payable by Singapore Citizens.
The sponsored programme fees would be after MOE subsidies and SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy for Singapore Citizens aged ≥ 40 years old (if applicable).
8. How are the liquidated damages calculated?
The liquidated damages are calculated based on the total amount of benefits disbursed by ECDA plus compound interest per annum. The liquidated damages will be reduced proportionately if the award recipient has served part of the bond.
Should there be a breach of the agreement, the Scholarship recipient and the sureties will be liable for the liquidated damages.