BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the opening of applications for the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Loan Repayment Program, the first state loan repayment program created exclusively for early education and care professionals. 

 

The program was developed through a partnership between the Departments of Higher Education (DHE) and Early Education and Care (EEC). 

 

The $15 million ECE Loan Repayment Program is designed to support workforce retention by reducing the financial burden of student loan debt for eligible educators across a variety of settings. This includes those working in Family Child Care (FCC), center-based programs, after school and out-of-school time (ASOST) programs, residential placement programs and contracted FCC systems who work directly with children, families, or other educators.  

 

The program will provide up to $7,500 per recipient per year, subject to appropriation.   

 

"If we want a strong early education system, we need to support the educators who make it possible," said Governor Maura Healey. "Early educators support children's development, help parents to participate in the workforce, and strengthening our local economies. By helping relieve the burden of student loan debt, we're making it easier for talented educators to stay in the field and continue supporting children and families across Massachusetts." 

 

To be eligible, applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree in a qualifying program of study at an eligible public or private institution of higher education in Massachusetts after July 1, 2013, and must be working in an EEC-licensed or funded early education and care program. Priority will be given to educators who have served five years or more in the field, as well as those who work in communities that predominantly serve children and families with high needs or in regions facing shortages of early education and care seats. 

 

While early educators have previously been eligible for general loan repayment opportunities throughout Massachusetts, this marks the first time the state has established a loan repayment program solely dedicated to early education and care professionals.  

 

In addition to loan forgiveness, Governor Healey's Early Education and Child Care Task Force has been focusing on expanding career pathways through higher education opportunities and the administration administers an Early Childhood Educators scholarship that helps students pay for an associates, bachelor's or?master's degree. As President Trump continues to try and make higher education more expensive, Massachusetts is making it more affordable for educators to stay in the workforce. Recently, Governor Healey called on the Trump Administration to reverse plans that would sharply limit access to low-cost federal student loans for graduate degrees in high-need, high-value fields, including education.  

 

The ECE Loan Repayment Program was developed collaboratively by DHE and EEC to ensure alignment with workforce needs and state priorities. The program received $7.5 million in the state's fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget and an additional $7.5 million through the FY25 Fair Share supplemental budget, bringing total available funding to approximately $15 million. A portion of funding is for program development and implementation. 

 

Applications are open now through June 1, 2026, and interested educators are encouraged to apply. For more information about eligibility requirements, including qualifying programs, how to apply and upcoming information sessions, visit Mass.edu/ECELoanRepayment.