ECE Tuition Reimbursement
A reimbursement of up to $5,000 per school-year is available to help cover the tuition-related costs of
recognized early childhood education (ECE) programs offered at post-secondary institutions in Manitoba that lead to an ECE II or ECE III certification in Manitoba.
The ECE tuition reimbursement will make ECE education more accessible by supporting more individuals to enter the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) workforce and those currently working in Manitoba’s licensed ELCC system to obtain their ECE certification. Funding for the tuition reimbursement is provided under the Canada-Manitoba ELCC Agreement.
Eligibility:
The reimbursement is available for:
- A student who will be attending a part-time or full-time recognized ECE program in 2022/2023 (including the Workplace Program);
- A student who completed courses in a recognized ECE program in 2021/2022; or
- An individual who graduated from a recognized ECE program in 2021/2022.
To qualify for the tuition reimbursement, you must also be:
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- Committed to working for two years in Manitoba’s licensed Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) sector following graduation.
For a complete list of recognized educational programs in Manitoba, please visit: Information on the Classification of Early Childhood Educators and Child Care Assistants.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2023
To Apply:
Recommended - For optimal use of the PDF application, download Adobe Acrobat Reader or an Adobe Acrobat product as follows:
- A free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded at https://get.adobe.com/reader/
- Download the Early Childhood Education Tuition Reimbursement Application (PDF) and open in Adobe Reader DC
- Fill in Application and press Submit
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of the reimbursement?
Tuition costs have been identified as a barrier to accessing ECE education at post-secondary institutions. The reimbursement reduces barriers for individuals to enter post-secondary ECE programs, receive their ECE certification and enter the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) workforce. It will also support individuals currently working in Manitoba's licensed ELCC system to obtain certification as an ECE II or ECE III.
- Who is eligible for the reimbursement?
The reimbursement is available for:
- A student who will be attending a part-time or full-time recognized ECE program in 2022/2023 (including the Workplace Program);
- A student who completed courses in a recognized ECE program in 2021/2022; or
- An individual who graduated from a recognized ECE program in 2021/2022.
To qualify for the tuition reimbursement, you must also be:
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- Committed to working for two years in Manitoba’s licensed Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) sector following graduation.
- Is the reimbursement a one-time payment or are there installments?
The reimbursement is a payment of up to $5,000 per school-year to help cover tuition-related costs. Students must provide proof of enrollment, as well as a course list and cost. Students that have not reached the threshold of $5,000 in their first semester may apply again in the following semester until the $5,000 per student limit is met. When applying for additional funds in the same school-year, a new application must be submitted including a class list and course cost.
- Can students attending a private or public ECE institution apply?
Students attending both public and private post-secondary institutions offering recognized ECE programs may be eligible for the reimbursement funding. This reimbursement is a payment that augments tuition supports already offered by public post-secondary institutions.
- Can recent graduates apply for the reimbursement or is it only for 2022/2023 students?
Individuals who attended a recognized ECE program or graduated in the 2021/2022 academic year also may be eligible for the reimbursement, as long as they meet the other criteria.
- Are facilities that have paid for staff tuition eligible for the reimbursement?
The reimbursement is aimed to reduce barriers for students who are interested in pursuing their ECE career. As such, the reimbursement is only available to eligible students.
- If I received other tuition support, am I still eligible to apply for the reimbursement?
If a student already received other financial support to cover their ECE tuition fees, such as employer funding or tuition scholarships/bursaries, they would remain eligible for reimbursement provided that they have not already received the full ECE tuition reimbursement amount of $5,000.
- Why must a student be committed to work in Manitoba for two years after graduation in order to receive the reimbursement?
The implementation of the Tuition Reimbursement is a key step towards building a strong early learning and child care workforce in Manitoba.
- Will students remain eligible for the tuition reimbursement if they drop –out of their post-secondary education program?
To ensure funding is going to students that are working towards their ECE certificate, enrolment in the post-secondary program is expected to be maintained.
- How will the reimbursement be paid?
Reimbursement recipients will receive a cheque in their name to the address provided on the application form.
- When will the reimbursement be paid?
Cheques will be mailed to reimbursement recipients after completed applications have been reviewed and approved.
- When is the application deadline for the reimbursement? Applicants must submit their completed application to the Early Learning and Child Care Division by March 31, 2023 for all 2022/23 students and 2022 graduates.
- Where can I learn more about the child care sector?
A career in Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) can be extremely rewarding. For more information about a career in the early learning and child care sector, including education and training visit: www.gov.mb.ca/education/childcare/students_workforce/index.html
For more information about recent investments in the early learning and child care system, visit: https://www.gov.mb.ca/education/childcare/actionplan.html
