The Public Education Department’s Early Childhood Scholarship Program is a cost-share model designed to ensure a comprehensive approach that will enable teachers and educational assistants working in New Mexico PreK programs in public schools to complete coursework leading to degrees and licensure in early childhood education. The scholarships are awarded through an application process that must be updated annually. The scholarship will pay the cost of tuition only. The educator is responsible for the cost of books, and may request funding from their school districts or charter school. If the district or charter provides funding for books, those books must be turned in to the PreK coordinator following completion of the class so that other scholarship recipients may use the book.