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 Tuition Reimbursement is available for:
- Students who are currently attending a part-time or full-time recognized ECE program at a Manitoba post-secondary institution in the 2022/23 academic year (including the Workplace Program);
- Students who completed courses in a recognized ECE program at a Manitoba post-secondary institution in the 2021/22 academic year; or
- Recent graduates who completed courses in a recognized ECE program at a Manitoba post-secondary institution during the 2021/22 academic year.
To qualify for the Tuition Reimbursement, the applicant 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
Application Requirements:
- Applicants must complete and submit the ELCC provided application prior to March 31, 2023.
- Attach proof of enrollment into a certified ECE program at a Manitoba post-secondary institution, including a course listing and proof of tuition costs for each term and receipt or payment issued by the institution.
- For 2022 graduates, please provide a copy of your 2021/2022 transcript including tuition costs (Does not need to be an original).
Submitting the Application Electronically (Electronic or ink signatures are acceptable):
- Adobe Acrobat – 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
- Email applications with required supporting documents to cdcinfo@gov.mb.ca
Submitting the Application by Mail:
- Mail applications to:
Early Learning and Child Care Division
Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning
Attn: Child Care Information Services
210 – 114 Garry Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4V4
Early Learning and Child Care Division will:
- Review and approve applications.
- Provide notification about the status of your application.
- Mail cheques to successful applicants by Canada Post.
If you have questions about this initiative or application, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions below or contact Child Care Information Services at cdcinfo@gov.mb.ca, 204-945-0776 or toll free in Manitoba at 1-888-213-4754
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 Tuition Reimbursement is available for:
- Students who are currently attending a part-time or full-time recognized ECE program at a Manitoba post-secondary institution in the 2022/23 academic year (including the Workplace Program);
- Students who completed courses in a recognized ECE program at a Manitoba post-secondary institution in the 2021/22 academic year; or
- Recent graduates who completed courses in a recognized ECE program at a Manitoba post-secondary institution during the 2021/22 academic year.
To qualify for the Tuition Reimbursement, the applicant 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, course listing as well as proof of tuition cost and payment. 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 course listing and proof of tuition cost and payment.
- 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?
Recent graduates who completed courses in a recognized ECE program at a Manitoba post-secondary institution during the 2021/22 academic year are eligible to apply for reimbursement, as long as they paid for and completed courses in Fall.
- Can a tuition reimbursement be expected for the 2023/24 academic year for ECEs?
The Manitoba government is committed to the recruitment and retention of dedicated staff in the early learning and child care sector. The ECE Tuition Reimbursement is a 2021-2022 workforce initiative funded under the Canada-Manitoba ELCC Agreement to help to make ECE education more accessible, supporting more individuals to enter the ELCC workforce and obtain their ECE certification. Manitoba will continue to monitor the current implementation of the Tuition Reimbursement. If this initiative is extended or Manitoba creates a similar initiative in the future, information will be shared through a public announcement and communications.
- 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. See question 8 for more details.
- 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.
- Why did I not receive full reimbursement for all of my courses?
The ECE Tuition Reimbursement is available to eligible applicants who completed courses during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years, as determined by an applicant’s institution. Applicants who completed courses outside of the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years are not eligible to receive reimbursement for their studies, or may only be eligible to receive reimbursement for courses taken during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years. Applicants who received financial support from another source such as scholarships/bursaries may only be eligible to receive partial reimbursement for the balance that they had to pay, provided that their tuition was not paid for in full by the other source.
- 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
