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
Program changes to Incentives 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
Winter 2024 Incentives funds have been released. If you’re an approved applicant, you should have received an email with additional details.
Due to increased interest in DECAL Scholars programs, applications are paused until further notice. Any complete applications received before February 17, 2025, will still be processed. Please check back for future updates.
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Your guide to Incentives
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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
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 30 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
Winter 2024 Incentives funds have been released. If you’re an approved applicant, you should have received an email with additional details.
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 is considered taxable income. You will receive an IRS Form 1099 as required and must report the Incentives payment as income on your tax return.
Please contact a tax professional with any questions you have about how to report this on your taxes.
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 documents must be uploaded with your application:
CDA credential:
- A copy of your valid Child Development Associate (CDA)™ credential
(OR) College credential or degree:
- A copy of your official transcript (unofficial transcripts and diplomas are not accepted)
(OR) 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 year-to-date 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. If your paystubs do not meet these requirements, we may ask for additional information.
- 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 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