Want a degree in Early Childhood Education and don’t know where to start? Use these tips to help you towards your goal!

How To Get Started

  1. Create a free Registry account at www.azregistry.org
  2. Choose an Institute of Higher Education (IHE) to attend (Community College or University) and become a student
  3. Meet with an Advisor at your IHE
    1. Obtain an Education Plan SIGNED by your Advisor
    2. Obtain a list of Tuition, Books, Course and College Fees from your Advisor
  4. Apply for FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov
  5. Apply for the First Things First College Scholarship through your Registry account

IMPORTANT – Check with your academic advisor about the submission of payment, some institutions want payment in 24 hours. If that is the case you need to apply for the scholarship first, then enroll in your College Courses.

Next Steps

After applying for the scholarship, you MUST UPLOAD THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS in your Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry account:

First Time Scholar Applicant

  • Statement of Lawful Presence – located in “My Resource Documents” in your registry account
  • Copy of a photo ID (front and back)
  • Unofficial Transcripts, GED or High School Diploma
  • Course Tuition, Books & Course & College Fees List
  • Proof of FAFSA Application
  • Education Plan Created with your Advisor (Signed by Advisor)
  • If you are a volunteer, volunteer experience must be confirmed by the admin of the childcare/preschool. If your volunteer experience is unable to be confirmed, the volunteer experience form will be accepted in lieu of this requirement.

Continuing Scholar Document Submission

  • Proof of FAFSA Application (1x per year)
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • Education Plan
  • Course Tuition, Books & Course & College Fees List

*Who is a continuing scholar? A continuing scholar is defined as a student who has received a First Things First college scholarship approval from any previous semester as long as they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

Helpful Tip: Uploading documents into the Registry​

On your toolbar under My Tools & Settings, select My Profile and at the bottom select Upload New File.

The average wait time for processing your college transcripts is 30 Days. For questions regarding your Registry account, please contact info@thearizonaregistry.org.