Financial Assistance

Talk to Your Preschool Director

Your preschool director is an important resource in your search for financial assistance for education. Not only will they know of any local or state aid that exists, but they will be aware if any federal assistance for early childhood educators is available. (This is especially true of Head Start programs.)

Additional Options

There’s a wealth of information available from federal and state governments online.

1. All Students
   Tax Credit for Tuition, Fees, & Course Materials
   Under the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Federal Government will reimburse students for tuition costs and the cost of required textbooks & course materials. For individual filers who earn under $80,000 and joint filers who earn under $160,000, the program will provide a tax credit for 100% of a student’s first $2000 in tuition, fees, course materials, and 25% of the next $2000. The credit is also 40% refundable, so even if a student doesn’t owe taxes, he or she can effectively get a 40% rebate from the federal government for all tuition, fees and course materials. For more information, visit TextBookAid.org or the IRS Website.
2. California Students
   Career Incentive Grants (CIG)
   This program reimburses eligible students the cost of their tuition, books, and other required enrollment fees. For more information and to determine eligibility, visit ChildDevelopment.org
3. Current Employment in the ECE Field
   $60 per unit discount on lower division ECE classes
   To reward the diligents work of those currently employed in the Early Education Field, Vnaguard University is offering a tuition discount to students working with children from 0-8 years old. Students will receive a $60 per unit discount on all lower division ECE classes, contingent upon employment verification. For more information, visit the Financial Aid Steps page.
4. ACSI Early Educators
   10% Tuition Discount on Vanguard ECE Courses
   As a result of the University Collaboration Agreement between Vanguard University and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), ACSI early educators are eligible to receive a 10% tuition discount on all Early Childhood Education classes at Vanguard. For more information, visit the Financial Aid Steps page.
5. Certificate Students
   Apply for Federal Financial Aid
   Financial aid is available for students who are applying for the Certificate Program and will be enrolled at least part time (6 units) each semester. For financial aid steps, forms, and timelines visit the Financial Aid Steps page.