ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT CHILD DEVELOPMENT
TRAINING AND EDUCATION FORGIVABLE LOANS 2000 - 2001
BACKGROUND:
Minnesota’s Department of Children, Families
and Learning has authorized funding for loans specifically
targeted to early childhood professionals. These
funds are designated for forgivable loans to individuals
who are involved in the direct care of young children
in child care and/or preschool or school-age care environments
to assist with the cost of education/training activities
directly related to their work.
WHAT IS A “FORGIVABLE” LOAN?
These loans are intended to help to defray the cost
of training and education for early childhood professionals. Loans
are available to an individual (group applications will
not be accepted) to pay their costs up front, not on
a reimbursement basis. If the individual completes
the intended training and remains involved in the direct
care of young children for 24 months following that
completion, the loan will be forgiven in its entirety. If
the individual does not complete the intended coursework/training,
the loan must be fully repaid. If the individual
ceases to provide direct care to children prior to the
end of 24 months, the loan must be repaid on a prorated
basis.
WHAT CAN THESE LOANS BE USED FOR?
These loans can be used for three very specific purposes:
1. For college credit-based classes directly related
to the care of young children or the operation of child
care programs (including on-campus or interactive distance
learning). These funds cannot be used for core
college courses (e.g., English, Biology, Computer, etc.).
2. For classes and/or training taken as part of
an individual’s work toward earning a CDA (Child
Development Associate) credential or CDA renewal.
3. For the CDA assessment fee of $325.00. (Family
child care applicants may only apply for ½ -
$162.50. The other ½ is reimbursable upon
completion, through the state. For more information
about this, contact your regional CCR&R training
coordinator.)
Eligible classes/training must be directly related
to the following broad topic areas in early childhood
education: 1) Environment & Curriculum; 2)
Child Development; 3) Professionalism; 4) Families;
5) Program Operations; 6) Program and Staff Evaluations;
7) Cultural Diversity; or 8) Safety & Health. Training
information that is sent out in training brochures/catalogs
can also be found on the internet at: www.cyfc.umn.edu/Ectrain The
training listed on this Minnesota Early Childhood Education
and Training Clearinghouse is listed according to subject
areas.
Individuals may borrow up to $1500.00. Loans can
be used to pay tuition and fees, registration fees,
the cost of books (typically 30% of credit cost, or
call your local college bookstore) or other required
supplies. Up to 15% of the total amount of a loan
can be designated for training-related costs for travel
and/or personal child care expenses.
EXAMPLE: $1,500.00 Loan
$ 225.00 Child care and mileage @ 15%
of loan.
$1,275.00 Remaining for tuition, fees, etc.
Training funded must be completed within one year of
receipt of the loan. Checks will be issued no more
than two months prior to the start of the planned classes/training.
WHO DO I CALL IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Contact Susan Bruss, Project Coordinator, at Western
Community Action, Inc.’s, CCR&R office toll-free
at 1-877-348-0507 for questions regarding the Forgivable
Loan Program.
IMPORTANT DATES
June 26, 2000: First date applications WILL BE
ACCEPTED for courses/training starting after 8-18-00.
July 21, 2000: Last Day Applications accepted.
July 28, 2000: Award letters and contracts will
be mailed out.
August 11, 2000: Deadline for contracts to be
returned.
August 15, 2000: First checks issued.
WHAT CAN THESE LOANS NOT BE USED FOR?
These loans cannot be used for workshops or classes
that do not fall into one or more of the three purposes
listed on Page 1 and into at least one of the eight
listed early childhood topic areas. They cannot
be used to pay the cost of the CDA advisor observations
visit fee. These loans cannot be used for workshops
or classes that are specifically religious in nature
or for correspondence or self-study programs, or core
college classes. These loans cannot be used as
reimbursement for expenses covered through other sources
(e.g.; other college loans or grants; the CDA assessment
fee reimbursed by the state; expenses paid by other
financial aid sources, including CDA Scholarships from
Bemidji State University (contact Cherry Brouwer, 1-888-234-1305
for information about this program). Loans cannot
be used to recover costs of courses or training already
taken or currently being taken.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Eligible applicants for forgivable loans are individuals
who are currently providing direct child care to young
children in a legal early childhood setting. Such
settings include all Rule 2 (family child care) and
Rule 3 (centers and preschools) licensed or legally
unlicensed programs or Head Start home visitors. Individuals
must be working an average of at least 20 hours/week
in the qualifying position. Applicants must live
and work in Minnesota.
HOW TO APPLY:
1. Complete the attached application form in its
entirety. Incomplete applications will be returned.
2. Attach any requested supporting documentation
and be sure that all required signatures are completed.
3. Return the application to Susan Bruss, Project
Coordinator, Western Community Action, Inc., Child Care
Resource and Referral, 400 West Main Street, Suite 201,
Marshall, MN 56258.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY LOAN HAS BEEN APPROVED?
Once the Project Coordinator has received your application,
your eligibility and the appropriateness of your request
will be verified. That agency will determine the
availability of funds. Loan applications are being
processed statewide in the order received, with consideration
to geographical distribution. You will be notified
by mail of the approval/non-approval of your request. The
Project Coordinator will work with you to complete the
necessary contract materials and once those materials
are in place, a check will be issued directly to you
on one of six payment dates. The entire process is intended
to be simple. Receipts will be required and the
Project Coordinator will have the responsibility of
following up with loan recipients to assure that all
conditions of the contract are being fulfilled.
SOME IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS:
Credit-based: Class work offered
for post-secondary credit by an accredited institution.
Direct Care: Family child care,
preschool programs, Head Start, child care centers or
school-age care programs.
Early childhood: Children between
ages birth and 14.
Electronic Training
Clearinghouse: Website where
training is listed according to early childhood education
topic area.
www.cyfc.umn.edu/Ectrain
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