*Note: You must be a Massachusetts Resident
Contact the MWCC Career Coach/Outreach Counselor:
Fill in the form below with your contact details.
ECE Grant Program Information Request
Register or renew in the EEC Professional Qualifications (PQ) Registry:
Being listed in the MA EEC PQ registry is required for all educators working in EEC-licensed facilities. MWCC will need your PQ Registry number in step 9. Register or renew for the PQ at https://www.eec.state.ma.us/PQRegistry/
Apply to MWCC!
To take advantage of free Early Childhood courses, you must be a registered student at MWCC. Fill our the general application at mwcc.edu/apply. Be sure to select the Early Childhood Education – Career Associate degree option. Being registered in the associate degree program gives students the most flexibility and ensures all courses are recorded in one transcript.
Request your transcripts.
If you have completed college-level courses, you must request official transcripts from your previous college to establish your academic background and readiness. Transcripts must be “official” —do not open them— in order to be deemed authentic. This process takes many weeks, so get started on this step as soon as possible. Transcripts should be sent electronically to records@mwcc.edu. If electronic transmission isn’t available, send by mail to MWCC Records Office, 444 Greet Street, Gardner, MA 01440.
Set up your college accounts
After you receive notice of your acceptance at the college, you’ll follow the Accepted Students page instructions to activate your accounts.
Complete Mount 101
Mount 101 is an informational program that familiarizes you with college procedures. It is not a full college course. What you learn in this short program will help you be successful in navigating your education with us. You start this course by using the code you received through your iConnect account. This program steps you through the rest of the enrollment steps. You also schedule an appointment with a college advisor in this step.
Meet with a college advisor
Meet with a college advisor and let the advisor know you are part of the ECE Career Pathways Grant. The advisor will confirm that you qualify to take the Early Childhood Education course you’re interested in. You may be asked to take a placement test to determine your readiness for college-level courses. In this meeting, you may also learn there are other courses you need to take before you can take the Early Childhood course you want. If English is a recent second language for you, you may need to take English 101 first.
Apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA) and the state scholarship
All students need to fill out the FAFSA form for financial aid to take advantage of our grant and other resources. After a year, you will also apply for the Massachusetts Early Childhood Educators scholarship when the application period is open. The priority deadline for filing a FAFSA form is May 1 and all applications are due by June 30. MWCC offers many opportunities to help students complete the FAFSA. Contact the Financial Services office for help. The state requires that eligible working students apply for the scholarship before being helped by the ECE Career Pathways grant. After the first year, all students in our grant program complete the FAFSA form and apply for the scholarship. MWCC’s federal school code for the FAFSA is 002172. For more information, see the Apply for the Early Childhood Educators scholarship page on the mass.gov website.
Return the Professional Development Form to the MWCC ECE Pathways Counselor
Your counselor will have sent you a Professional Development Plan in order to gather information about you and your professional goals. Your counselor will review this plan with you each year to make sure you have what you need to achieve your goals.