Georgia: DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarship

Georgia DECAL Scholars offers eligible Georgia early childhood educators up to $500 toward CDA training with an eligible Georgia trainer. DECAL Scholars reviews applications and pays approved scholarship funds to the trainer. Awards depend on eligibility and available funds. The award may not cover the full cost of training, and you are responsible for any remaining balance or costs not covered by the award.

ChildCareEd offers CDA training options in Family Child Care, Infant/Toddler, Preschool, and Birth to Five. Course prices and availability can change; your invoice will show the price for your selected training.

Who may be eligible?

DECAL Scholars currently requires applicants to:

• Be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or qualified alien.
• Have at least three continuous months of paid employment with the same employer in an eligible role: teacher, assistant teacher, floater, director, assistant director, or owner. Unpaid hours do not count.
• Work at least 30 paid hours per week at an eligible DECAL- or Department of Defense-licensed child care learning center, DECAL-licensed family child care learning home, exempt Georgia Head Start center, or Georgia Lottery-funded public school Pre-K; or at least 15 paid hours per week at a DECAL-licensed after-school program.
• Have a GaPDS profile showing your GaPDS number and current employer. DECAL accepts a profile marked Pending or Active.
• Not have previously received a DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarship.

DECAL’s requirements and funding availability can change. Review the official eligibility requirements before applying.

How to get started

1. Choose the CDA training that fits your setting. Confirm that ChildCareEd is listed in GaPDS as an eligible CDA trainer for the scholarship.
2. Click I am interested and follow the email instructions to request an invoice from ChildCareEd. Tell us your name, contact information, employer and facility type, job role, paid hours per week, and selected CDA training.
3. Before submitting your DECAL application, check DECAL’s enrollment and invoice requirements. DECAL says you must be enrolled and have an invoice dated within 30 days of applying. 
4. Submit your application and required documents directly to DECAL Scholars. The applicant is responsible for completing and submitting the application.
5. If DECAL awards the scholarship and notifies ChildCareEd, we will verify the award, assign the approved training to your account, and contact you with next steps.

DECAL requires supporting documents with the application, including recent paystubs or applicable business income documentation, a qualifying ID, a GaPDS profile, and an invoice from the trainer. See the official document list and application guidance. Submit documents directly to DECAL, not through the ChildCareEd interest form.

Already paid for your training?

DECAL says reimbursement may be available if you submit a complete application and proof of payment within 30 days of paying for training. The CDA Training Scholarship application must be submitted before the CDA Application Fee Scholarship application. Check DECAL’s current instructions before applying.

Click I am interested below and follow the email instructions to request an invoice from ChildCareEd. Tell us your name, contact information, and selected CDA training.