Incentives
Georgia's program that rewards early childhood educators with an annual payment who have recently earned a credential or degree in early childhood education
In 2024, you can apply to receive an annual payment (with a degree or credential earned in the past 5 years in an early childhood education program of study) in the following amounts:
- For remaining 1-3 years with your current employer: $1,500
- For remaining 4(+) years with your current employer: $2,500
Program changes to Incentives will take effect for the 2025 Summer Incentives period, opening April 2025. In 2025, you can apply to receive an annual payment (with a degree or credential earned in the past 5 years in an early childhood education program of study) in the amount of $1,000.
DOWNLOAD:
Your guide to Incentives
Our team created a handout that has all of the important details about Incentives on one page. Feel free to download, print it out, and share it.
When to apply?
Summer Incentives
Were you hired by your current employer during the months of December – May? You’re a Summer Incentives applicant.
Submit your Summer Incentives application between April 3 – June 30.
Winter Incentives
Were you hired by your current employer during the months of June – November? You’re a Winter Incentives applicant.
Submit your Winter Incentives application between September 5 – November 30.
Am I eligible?
To qualify for our Incentives program, you must meet the following criteria:
Legal Status
You’re one of the following:
- United States citizen
- Legal permanent resident
- Qualified alien
Education
You have earned one of the following degrees or credentials in an early childhood education, child development, or elementary education (Pre-K-5) program of study in the past 5 years:
- Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
- Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC)
- Technical College Diploma (TCD)
- Associate Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- MACTE-accredited Montessori Program Credential
Employment
- You must have maintained 12 months of continuous employment in one of the following roles (volunteer work, practicums, and internships do not qualify):
- Teacher
- Assistant teacher
- Floater
- Director
- Assistant director
- Owner
- You must work a minimum of 15 hours per week if your employer is one of the following:
- A child care learning center licensed by DECAL or the Department of Defense
- A family child care learning home licensed by DECAL
- A before/after school program licensed by DECAL
- An exempt Georgia Head Start center
- A Georgia Lottery-funded Pre-K program in a public school
Incentives
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduate-level certificates do not qualify for Incentives.
Refer to the FAQ: “Which credentials and degrees are eligible for Incentives?” for the complete list of accepted credentials and degrees.
Yes, Incentives payments are taxable. You can expect to receive a 1099 tax form during tax season for any financial amounts awarded to you.
If your credential or degree was not earned in the past 5 years, you will not qualify for Incentives. Incentives is an annual salary bonus program that rewards early childhood educators (that have been with their current, eligible employer for at least 1 year) for up to 5 years after receiving each credential or degree in early childhood education.
The following documentation must be sent to DECAL Scholars in addition to your application:
CDA credential:
- A copy of your valid Child Development Associate (CDA)™ credential
College credential or degree:
- A copy of your official transcript (unofficial transcripts are not accepted)
Montessori program credential:
- A copy of your official MACTE-accredited Montessori program credential
Other required documents:
- Copies of two recent paystubs reflecting the name of your employer, your name, and gross and net wages. If you are a Family Child Care Learning Home or a Director/Owner and do not pay yourself W-2 wages, you should submit a copy of last year’s Schedule C, Schedule K, or other federal tax form documenting net business income.
- A copy of your Professional Development System (GaPDS) profile reflecting your GaPDS number, a “Pending” or “Active” status, and the name of your current employer.
- A legible copy of the FRONT and BACK of a secure and verifiable document.
In 2024: If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for the following:
- If you have been employed at your current workplace for 1 to 3 years, you can apply to receive an annual bonus of $1,500.
- If you have been employed at your current workplace for 4 years or more, you can apply to receive an annual bonus of $2,500.
In 2025: If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply to receive an annual bonus of $1,000.
The following credentials and degrees are eligible for the Incentives program:
Awarded by the CDA Council:
- Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
Awarded by a regionally accredited college or university:
- Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC)
- Technical College Diploma (TCD)
- Associate Degree
- With at least 30 credit hours in early childhood education-specific courses
- Bachelor’s Degree
- With at least 36 credit hours in early childhood education-specific courses
- Master’s Degree
Awarded by a MACTE-accredited Montessori program:
- Montessori Program Credential (infant/toddler and early childhood education only)
The program of study must have been in one of the following areas:
- Early Childhood Education
- Child Development
- Elementary Education (Pre-K-5)
- Childcare Program Administration (TCC only)
- Family Child Care (TCC only)
- School Age Care (TCC only)
- Infant/Toddler Care (TCC only)