EIP Process: Step by Step Tutorial - post

The Educational Incentive Program (EIP) is a scholarship program that helps child care providers pay for training and educational activities with the intent to build provider knowledge, skills, and competencies in order to improve the quality of child care.

The Educational Incentive Program is sponsored by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, funded by the federal Child Care Development Fund, and administered by the Professional Development Program, Rockefeller College, University at Albany.

Scholarship funding to participate in this training may be available through the Educational Incentive Program (EIP)/ Medication Administration Training (MAT). For more information or to apply for a scholarship, please visit www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu. You may also contact EIP/MAT by email at [email protected], MAT by email at [email protected] or by phone at either (800) 295-9616 or (518) 442-6575.

Need help navigating the EIP application process?

ChildCareEd is here to help! As an approved EIP training organization, ChildCareEd is excited to support New York providers in obtaining training. 

Let's get started on your EIP application!

Scholarship eligibility is based on current employment and the applicant's household income. Child care providers may apply for multiple scholarships within the current year until they reach their maximum annual scholarship amount.

Applicants must meet all three of the employment requirements listed below. Employment verification is required with each application.

1. You must be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Resident Alien authorized to work in the U.S.
2. You must be a paid employee, or the direct supervisor of a paid employee, in one of the following NYS OCFS or NYC DOHMH registered or licensed child care programs:
• A registered family day care program
• A licensed group family day care program
• A registered school-age child care program
• A licensed day care center or child care Head Start
3. You must be caring for children, or the direct supervisor of employees who care for children, as part of the adult/child ratio requirement.

EIP may help individuals pay for a portion of the following ChildCareEd trainings:

• CDA Preschool
• CDA Infant and Toddler
• CDA Family Childcare
• CDA Preschool Renewal
• CDA Infant/Toddler Renewal
• CDA Family Child Care Renewal

• Aspire approved ChildCareEd professional development trainings.
• ChildCareEd First Aid & CPR Blended Training 

EIP funds are issued based on the applicant's household income.

The applicant's household adjusted gross income as reported on the most recent IRS Form 1040 must fall within the ranges on the following income charts.

• EIP reserves the right to seek additional verification that the income documentation submitted is accurate and authentic. 
• Income is not used as a factor to determine scholarship eligibility for the CDA Assessment Application Fee or Renewal Fee.
• Income is no longer used as a factor to determine your eligibility for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid (CPR/FA) training scholarships.

To apply for an EIP Scholarship:

• Log in or create an Early Childhood Education and Training Program (ECETP) account at www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu

• Click on APPLY, Select Apply Online Now! complete the EIP application online

• Gather required documents including:

  • IRS Form 1040

  • A copy of your paystub or paycheck dated within the past 8 weeks and clearly showing the program’s name.

• When you have gathered all of your documents, click on "Let's start the EIP application process".

• Once you start the application process, you will proceed through 6 steps entering required information and uploading required documents.

Once you have submitted your application and supporting documents, allow 4-6 weeks for the processing of the application (online applications are quicker!).

• You will receive an email notifying you of an award or if additional documentation is required.
• You will receive one email for each approved or declined activity.
• If your application is approved, use the link in the email to review the terms and conditions and electronically sign your award.
• The award will be valid for 60 days from the issue date and will be automatically cancelled if you do not respond in time.
• Once you accept the award ChildCareEd will be notified and will add your training to your ChildCareEd account.