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.
Apply now
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.
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.
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
Employment
You must have maintained 12 months of continuous employment in one of the following paid roles (volunteer work, practicums, and internships do not qualify):
- Teacher
- Assistant teacher
- Floater
- Director
- Assistant director
- Owner
AND you must work a minimum of 15 hours per week if your employer is a(n):
- Child care learning center licensed by DECAL or the Department of Defense
- Family child care learning home licensed by DECAL
- After school program licensed by DECAL
- Exempt Georgia Head Start center
- Georgia Lottery-funded Pre-K program in a public school
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:
From the CDA Council for Professional Recognition
- Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
OR from a regionally-accredited college/university in the US
- Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC)
- Technical College Diploma (TCD)
- Associate Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
OR from a MACTE-accredited Montessori Training Program:
- Montessori Program Credential in Infant/Toddler or Early Childhood program of study
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 and diplomas 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
- Family Child Care
- School Age Care
- Infant/Toddler Care