Work Commitment: Frequently Asked Questions

All graduates/completers have 6 months after graduation or completion of program to find employment in a Chicago Early Learning (CEL) program (Community-based Organization or Chicago Public School). All cases will be reviewed on an individual basis should you not be able to find employment within 6 months. In partnership with Chicago Early Learning (CEL), the CELWS team is working to centralize access to resources for employment through the CEL and Education Workforce Center websites. Scholarship advisors at your respective Institution of Higher Education (IHE) will also inform you of career fairs you can attend.

The 3-year period begins upon completion of a degree or program. All graduates/completers have 6-month grace period after graduation or completion of program to find employment in a Chicago Early Learning (CEL) program. If you should continue your education with another degree under CELWS, the work commitment will not begin until the completion of degree or program and you are no longer receiving scholarship funds to earn a degree or credential.

Graduates/completers of CELWS will receive employment verification forms on an annual basis from employment@chilearn.org for 3 consecutive years where they will be expected to show proof of employment by attaching their most current paystub to the form. Additionally, a survey will be sent out on an annual basis to collect more detailed information regarding employment. If employment status changes at any time before official verification is sent, it is the individual’s responsibility to reach out and update their status. Individuals can e-mail employment@chilearn.org.

The 3-year commitment is dependent on your employer/CEL program’s definition of a full year. Some programs run year-round, while others run on an academic school calendar.

Yes, the 3-year work commitment must be consecutive. Should there be a medical/family emergency that would prevent you from fulfilling this commitment consecutively you should reach out to the CELWS Admin team at employment@chilearn.org. All cases will be reviewed individually, and documentation should be provided if necessary.

In the event that an individual should go on FMLA/Parental leave, this time will be observed as a protected leave and continue to count toward the 3-year work commitment. If circumstances do not allow an individual to return, they should contact the CELWS Admin team at employment@chilearn.org All cases will be reviewed individually.

All graduates/completers are expected to fulfill their 3-year work commitment at a Chicago Early Learning program. All individuals sign a Commitment Letter during the onboarding phase. If graduates/completers are not able to fulfill their commitment, the process for repayment of scholarship will take place. Please contact employment@chilearn.org for any questions.

The amount required to pay back will be pro-rated according to the percentage of the 3-year work commitment completed by the scholarship recipient .

No, the 3-year work commitment verification process begins after graduation or completion of your approved education program.

As long as your family childcare business is a CEL program, you may continue to fulfill your 3-year work commitment at your childcare business. If you are unsure if your family childcare business is a CEL site, please visit the Chicago Early Learning website to verify whether your site is CEL-funded.

ALL graduates/completers must commit to be in the ECE workforce for a minimum of 3 years after graduation or completion of program. If the 3-year work commitment is not something that can be completed, an individual should not apply and will not be eligible for CELWS.

The CELWS 3-year work commitment is required to be completed in a birth- Pre-K setting in the City of Chicago. No exceptions will be made for licensed teachers. After the 3-year work commitment is completed, licensed teachers may choose to move to older grade bands. Documentation regarding the CELWS requirements will be provided for these individual cases if needed. If challenges are presented due to unforeseen grade band changes, individuals are asked to reach out to CELWS at employment@chilearn.org.

All students will receive an exit guide from the CELWS advisor with resources for each IHE’s career resources and employment tips for success. All scholars are encouraged to use this guide and to reach out to their CELWS advisors, contact career centers at their college/university for work resources and postings during their last semester before graduation/completion. All IHEs have different resources and events, which assist students with work opportunities. Additionally, in partnership with Chicago Early Learning City partners, the CELWS team is working to centralize access to resources for employment through the CEL and Education Workforce Center websites. The EWC (www.chicagoewc.org) website can be used as a resource after graduation/completion for employment opportunities. For any specific questions, please reach out to employment@chilearn.org.

Individuals are encouraged to ask their CEL Site administration what the funding stream(s) of their program are to ensure that they are a CEL approved site. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to visit the Chicago Early Learning website to verify whether their site is CEL.

If your place of employment loses funding and is no longer an approved Chicago Early Learning (CEL) site, please notify the CEL Workforce Scholarship (CELWS) team by emailing scholarships@chilearn.org. CELWS can assist you in identifying alternative employment resources. Active CELWS Scholars whose scholarship eligibility is based solely on their employment at a CEL site will not lose their scholarship while completing their degree or academic program, even if their site is affected by funding loss. This protection also applies to Scholars fulfilling their 3-year work commitment. Should your place of employment lose funding and no longer be an approved CEL site, you should notify CELWS by e-mailing employment@chilearn.org.

All graduates/completers are required to fulfill their 3-year work commitment at a birth- to Pre-K site. Should there be a change in your job location/position please e-mail employment@chilearn.org to update your records.

Regardless of the number of courses taken, all scholarship recipients are required to fulfill a 3-year work commitment upon graduation at a Birth- Pre-K CEL site.

No, you do not have to be a classroom teacher. The CELW Scholarship is designed to support a diverse population and careers within Early Childhood. Please see the list of approved, but not exclusive, list of professional tracks that qualify for CELWS listed on the Scholarship homepage. If you are unsure of a specific role/title, please reach out to employment@chilearn.org.

If this situation arises, please contact the CELWS Administration team at employment@chilearn.org to discuss further. All cases will be reviewed on an individual basis. Documentation may be required.

No, any site that is considered a CEL site, whether Chicago Public Schools (CPS) or a Community-based Organization, will fulfill the work commitment. All Pre- K classrooms in Chicago Public Schools are considered CEL work sites.