DECAL Scholars Georgia Explained: How to Get Help Paying for Early Childhood Training

image in article DECAL Scholars Georgia Explained: How to Get Help Paying for Early Childhood Training If you work with young children in Georgia, training can feel expensive. The good news is that Georgia has a program called DECAL Scholars that can help pay for early childhood training and education. #GeorgiaChildCare

What is DECAL Scholars in Georgia?

DECAL Scholars is a group of programs funded by Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). It is meant to help early childhood educators grow their skills and stay in the field. DECAL Scholars includes help for CDA scholarships, college credentials and degrees, Montessori credentials, and educational counseling. The programs are managed by Care Solutions, Inc.

One important note: these programs are funded through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and depend on available funds, so parts of the program can change over time.

What kinds of help can DECAL Scholars provide?

DECAL Scholars support is usually in one of these areas:

CDA Scholarships (help with costs tied to earning or renewing a CDA)
Academic Scholarships (help with tuition and a support stipend for eligible college programs)
Montessori Scholarships (help for a Montessori program credential at a MACTE-accredited program in Georgia)
Educational Counseling (free support to help you choose a path and apply; available in Spanish)

If you are not sure which one fits you, start at the main site and click the program that matches your goal: https://www.decalscholars.com/

What should I do first before I apply?

A great first step is setting up your Georgia Professional Development System (GaPDS) profile. DECAL Scholars explains that you must create a GaPDS profile to apply for their programs.

Start here: https://gapds.decal.ga.gov

Once you have a GaPDS profile, keep your information updated:

your employer name
your job role
your contact info
your GaPDS number

This makes the application process smoother later.

How do CDA Training Scholarships work?

Many educators start with the CDA because it is a widely recognized early childhood credential. DECAL Scholars says that after an eligible applicant chooses and signs up with a CDA trainer listed in GaPDS, the CDA Training Scholarship can cover up to $500 of the cost of the CDA training (paid directly to the trainer).

A simple way to think about it:

Find a Georgia-approved CDA trainer through GaPDS (you can filter by format and language).
Sign up for training with that trainer.
Apply through DECAL Scholars and upload the documents they request (often items like paystubs, a trainer invoice, and a copy of your GaPDS profile).

Tip: DECAL Scholars says you can search for a Spanish CDA trainer if the trainer is eligible and listed in GaPDS. #CDA

How do Academic Scholarships help with college costs?

If you want a college credential or degree in early childhood, Academic Scholarships may be the right fit. DECAL Scholars says their Academic Scholarships (Four-Year Colleges & Universities) provide tuition assistance and a support stipend to approved early childhood educators pursuing credentials or degrees in early childhood education.

They also say scholarships are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

DECAL Scholars lists application windows. For example, Spring Semester 2026 is listed as open December 15, 2025 and close March 15, 2026. Always confirm the newest dates on their website.

How do Montessori Scholarships work?

DECAL Scholars also offers Montessori Scholarships. They say this program provides tuition assistance and a support stipend for educators pursuing a Montessori program credential at a MACTE-accredited Montessori program in Georgia (Infant/Toddler or Early Childhood programs of study).

Applications are accepted for limited times while funds are available, and the page lists semester application windows (so it’s smart to check early). #EarlyChildhoodEducation

What is Educational Counseling (and why is it a big deal)?

Educational Counseling can be a lifesaver if you feel overwhelmed. DECAL Scholars says counselors can help you:

understand education options in early childhood
find colleges and universities with early childhood programs
understand how to apply for DECAL Scholars programs
get support in Spanish

If you don’t know where to start, this is a great place:
https://www.decalscholars.com/educational-counseling/

How can ChildCareEd help me move forward?

DECAL Scholars helps with funding, and you still need a clear plan for training. ChildCareEd can help you choose training that fits your goals and role.

ChildCareEd resource (Georgia hub):
https://www.childcareed.com/stateportals-17-ga-georgia.html

Here are 3 ChildCareEd training courses that match common DECAL Scholars goals:

Birth to Five CDA Credential with Portfolio Review (120 hours)
https://www.childcareed.com/courses-birth-to-five-cda-credential-with-portfolio-review-4032.html
This course page notes it is eligible for Georgia DECAL Scholars CDA Training Scholarship.
40-Hour Director’s Course (Georgia)
https://www.childcareed.com/courses-40-hour-director-s-course.html
Helpful if you are moving into leadership or director responsibilities in Georgia.
Montessori Assistant Training
https://www.childcareed.com/courses-montessori-assistant-training-3811.html
A good option if you want a clear intro to Montessori ideas and classroom support skills.

Want quick tips and training reminders? Follow ChildCareEd on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@childcareed #ProfessionalDevelopment

What can directors do to support staff using DECAL Scholars?

If you are a director, you can help your team without doing everything for them:

Share the official site so staff can choose the right program: https://www.decalscholars.com/
Encourage staff to set up GaPDS early (before deadlines).
Give staff time to gather documents like paystubs or school info.
Celebrate progress (finishing a class, submitting an application, completing a semester).

What should I do next?

Pick one goal: CDA, college, or Montessori. Then:

Make sure your GaPDS profile is ready: https://gapds.decal.ga.gov
Visit DECAL Scholars and read the program page that matches your goal: https://www.decalscholars.com/
Choose training and keep your paperwork organized.
Check deadlines often, because funding and windows can change.

And when you’re ready to start Georgia-approved training, visit ChildCareEd’s Georgia hub:
https://www.childcareed.com/stateportals-17-ga-georgia.html

Latest Jobs

Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher
School Age Lead Teacher