Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What does EIP pay for?
• How much am I eligible for?
• Are there award limits based on the type of training I choose?
• Who accepts EIP awards?
• How do I find out if the training organization I've selected participates in EIP?
• Who receives the scholarship money?
• How long does it take to process my application?
• What forms do I need to send in?
• What is the EIP scholarship process?
• Will EIP reimburse me if I have already paid for my course?
• What should I do if my course is cancelled after I receive the Award Notification?
• Why is the type of training printed on EIP award notifications?
• What if I decide not to take the course or I do not complete it?
• Are EIP awards considered income by the IRS?
• Can homework or other assignments be included in the number of training hours per class?
• Can I apply if I work in New York but live outside of New York State?
• How can I contact EIP?

What does EIP pay for?

EIP scholarships fund college tuition and mandatory college fees.  Training or coursework must clearly reflect one or more of the subject areas that are required by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.

EIP scholarships can also fund assessment fees associated with certain credential or certificate programs. EIP can cover other CDA activities along with the 120 preparatory training hours. The CDA Observation is eligible for up to 3 hours with a maximum of $84 and the assessment fee is eligible for $325.

New in 2009 EIP can cover Field Advisement up to 12 hours for a maximum of $336 per individual.

Books, room, board, and travel expenses cannot be included. Applicants are responsible for any tuition and fees not covered by EIP. A listing of EIP pre-approved credential, certificate or individual accreditation programs is available in the EIP brochure.

How much am I eligible for?

Your scholarship is based on your income and the type of training you choose. You may be eligible to receive 75%, or 100% of your course cost up to a maximum of $1500 per EIP Year. Applicants living in Nassau, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester counties and the five boroughs of New York City have a maximum of $2000 per EIP Year.

Are there award limits based on the type of training I choose?

Yes. Non-college credit courses have an award maximum of $28 per hour of training. Applicants can access up to $756 of their total $1,500 eligibility per year for non-college credit courses, non-credit distance learning classes, conferences, and workshops. EIP can award scholarships for certain pre-approved Individualized Training Programs at a maximum of $55 per hour of training. EIP pre-approved fees (see page 9 of EIP Information Booklet for listing) are not affected by the $28 per hour maximum. These fees are also not based on income. Anyone meeting the employment eligibility is welcome to apply for the fee.

Who accepts EIP awards?

Many of the following organizations have participated in the Educational Incentive Program.

• Colleges and Universities
• Child care resource and referral agencies (CCRRs)
• American Red Cross chapters
• Child care networks
• Professional child care organizations
• Training agencies, libraries, BOCES or high school adult education programs

How do I find out if the training organization I've selected participates in EIP?

Contact the college or training organization directly or visit our searchable list of participating training organizations.

Who receives the scholarship money?

All EIP scholarship award payments are made directly to the education/training organization.

How long does it take to process my application?

• Online applications are generally processed in 2-3 weeks from the date we receive your completed application.
• Mailed applications are generally processed in approximately 4-6 weeks from the date we receive your completed application.

Please allow 10 weeks from the date EIP receives your signed scholarship award for payment to be made to the college or training organization.

What forms do I need to send in?

If you apply online, you must submit a signed online application agreement, your most recent federal tax return (form 1040), and employment verification. Acceptable forms of employment verification are: For Program Owners a copy of a valid child care license or registration. For Employees a copy of a paystub or paycheck dated within the past 8 weeks or a letter from NYS Office of Children and Family Services or NYC Department of Health clearing the applicant to work at the child care program.

If you mail your application, you must complete Sections 1-4 of the application and include your most recent federal tax return (form 1040) and employment verification. Acceptable forms of employment verification are: For Program Owners a copy of a valid child care license or registration. For Employees a copy of a paystub or paycheck dated within the past 8 weeks or a letter from NYS Office of Children and Family Services or NYC Department of Health clearing the applicant to work at the child care program.

What is the EIP scholarship process?

1. YOU complete an EIP online web application and fax or mail your required documents
   OR
   you fill out and mail a completed EIP application with all required documents.
2. EIP processes the application (Allow 2-3 weeks for online applications, 4-6 weeks for paper applications.)
   EIP mails scholarship results to your home address.
3. YOU sign the Award Notification and submit it to the college or training organization.
4. The college or training organization completes and mails the Award Notification to EIP for payment.
5. EIP processes a check payable to the education/training organization on your behalf. Allow at least 10 weeks from the date EIP receives a completed award notification for payment to be sent.

Will EIP reimburse me if I have already paid for my course?

No. It is your responsibility to know the refund policy of the college or training organization. All EIP scholarship award payments go directly to the college or training organization.

What should I do if my course is cancelled after I receive the Award Notification?

Mark the award “COURSE CANCELLED” and return the Award Notification to EIP.

Why is the type of training printed on EIP award notifications?

Each EIP award notification displays the type of course or training beneath the course title. This allows both the training organization and the award recipient to verify the name and type of training for which they are accepting the EIP scholarship. When the training organization and the awardee sign the award and return it to EIP for payment, they are attesting that all the award information is correct. Like any other information on the award, if any information on the award is not correct, the training organization and/or the awardee must notify EIP before redeeming the award.

What if I decide not to take the course or I do not complete it?

The signed Agreement in Section 4 of the submitted EIP Application requires you to notify EIP if you do not complete the course(s).

• Return the Award Notification to the EIP Office with a brief explanation of why it is being returned.
• If payment has already been issued to the college or training organization, restitution may be made in order to qualify for EIP in the future.

Are EIP awards considered income by the IRS?

EIP awards may be considered income by the IRS. Each case will be different. Check with your tax advisor or the IRS for clarification of your situation. Federal tax reporting regulations require the Research Foundation of SUNY to report certain awards dollars paid on behalf of individual awardees in a given calendar year. You are solely responsible for all local, state, and federal taxes.

Can homework or other assignments be included in the number of training hours per class?

No. EIP may only provide scholarship assistance for actual hours spent in the classroom. Hours spent completing homework or other assignments outside of the class cannot be compensated.

Can I apply if I work in New York but live outside of New York State?

Yes. You may apply as long as you are caring for children in a NYS licensed child care program. Please refer to the upstate award eligibly income chart for guidelines.

How can I contact EIP?