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Stipends

Child Care Personnel & PreK Literacy Micro-Credentials 

Congratulations on successfully completing the Emergent or Elementary Literacy Micro-Credential! Complete the secure form below to facilitate payment of your $2,000 completion stipend. Please be sure to provide accurate information as soon as possible so your stipend can be processed quickly! 

All applications will be reviewed in the order they were received by our Stipends Processing Team to determine eligibility according to the requirements set by the Division of Early Learning (DEL) and FDOE (Florida Department of Education). Our team will reach out with next steps. 

Stipend Eligibility

If you are not an Early Childhood Personnel*, you are not eligible for the stipend at this time. Stipend eligibility requirements have expanded for Micro-Credential Completions on or after 7/1/2023.  

Micro-Credential Completions on or after 7/1/2023 

• Be a VPK Instructor or Early Childhood Personnel* 
• Be employed at a Child Care Facility or SR/VPK Contracted Provider upon successful completion of the Emergent or Elementary Literacy Micro-Credential 
• Successfully complete mastery of the Emergent or Elementary Literacy Micro-Credential 

Micro-Credential Completions before 6/30/2023 

• Stipends for Micro-Credential Completions before 6/30/2023 are only available to SR/VPK instructional personnel*  
• Be employed at a provider that has a VPK and/or SR Contract with the Florida Division of Early Learning upon successful completion of the Emergent or Elementary Literacy Micro-Credential 
• Successfully complete mastery of the Emergent or Elementary Literacy Micro-Credential 

*Child care personnel is defined in ss. 1002.88(1)(e) and 402.302(3), F.S.; and VPK instructors is defined in ss. 1002.55, 1002.61, and 1002.63, F.S. 

Payment Options

1. Zelle transfer directly to your bank account (up to 2 weeks) ← fastest option!
   • • You must have access to a smartphone or to online banking through your financial institution to use this option. 
     • Provide an email address or mobile number that’s already connected to your bank profile; or you can connect your bank account later with the mobile number or email address you provide and a debit card. 
     • You will not be asked to share your banking information with UF. 
     • Please follow all steps in the Zelle Guide for Stipend Payments. 
2. Prepaid Visa debit card mailed to you (up to 4 weeks)
   • • An unloaded debit card will be mailed to you.
     • Upon receipt of the unloaded debit card, contact stipends@coe.ufl.edu and request to have stipend funds loaded to your card.
     • UF will add the stipend funds to the card. 
     • Use the card anywhere that accepts a Visa credit or debit card. 

Stipends Application and Employment Verification

All applications will be reviewed in the order received by our Stipends Processing Team for eligibility determination according to the requirements set by Division of Early Learning (DEL) and FDOE. Our team will then reach out with next steps. 

At the end of the application, you must upload your most recent pay slip as verification of your employment at an SR/VPK provider or child care facility. Contact your supervisor or school director, if you need help downloading your paystub.
Recommended paystub file types: PDF, PNG, JPG. 

To be eligible for the stipend, you must complete the micro-credential and submit your application by June 16, 2024. 

By completing the application, you agree to the terms of payment and eligibility upon completion of all requirements, aiding in verifying your eligibility, and that your employer must be eligible at the time of completion as a child care facility or VPK and/or SR contracted as applicable.