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. All cases will be reviewed on individual basis should you not be able to find employment within 6 months. In partnership with the Chicago Mayor’s Office, the CELWS team is working to centralize access to resources for employment through the CEL website. 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 degree or program. However, all graduates/completers have 6 months 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.

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 scholarships@chilearn.org. All cases will be reviewed individually, and documentation should be provided if necessary.

Graduates/completers of CELWS will receive employment verification forms. These are to be signed by the CEL program director or principal to verify place and length of employment. Additionally, a survey will be sent out on a yearly 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 scholarships@chilearn.org.

The 3-year commitment is dependent on your CEL program’s definition of a full year. Some programs run year-round and some programs run on an academic school calendar.

In the event that an individual should go on FMLA/Maternity 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 scholarships@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.

The amount the student will be required to pay back will be pro-rated according to the percentage of the 3-year work commitment that has been completed by the individual.

No, the 3-year work commitment begins after graduation or completion of your approved education program. This is clearly stated on the commitment letter that all students sign after attending the scholarship onboarding.

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 child care business is a CEL site, please visit the Chicago Early Learning website to verify whether the site is CEL funded: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/chicagoearlylearning/home/programs.html

The commitment letter that is signed during scholarship award onboarding clearly states that ALL graduates/completers must commit to be in the 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- five classroom. 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 scholarships@chilearn.org

All students are encouraged to reach out to their advisors and contact career centers at their college/university for work resources and job 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 the Chicago Mayor’s Office, the CELWS team is working to centralize access to resources for employment through the CEL website.

Individuals are encouraged to ask their Director/Fiscal Manager/ Principal/ Administrator 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.

Should your place of employment lose funding and no longer be an approved CEL site, you should notify CELWS by emailing scholarships@chilearn.org. CELWS can help provide other resources for employment. Active CELWS Scholars whose eligibility for the Scholarship is solely dependent on their CEL employment status will be held harmless during degree/academic program attainment if their site is impacted by loss of funding. The same applies if a program loses funding while the Scholar is completing the 3-year work commitment.

All graduates/completers are required to fulfill their 3-year work commitment at a birth-five-year-old CEL site, whether at a Community-based Organization or Chicago Public Schools setting. Should there be a change in your job location/position please e-mail scholarships@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- five 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. If you are unsure of a specific role/title, please reach out to scholarships@chilearn.org.

If this situation arises, please contact the CELWS Administration team at scholarships@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 at a Community-based Organization or Chicago Public Schools (CPS) setting, will fulfill the work commitment. All 3-5 Pre- K classrooms in Chicago Public Schools are considered CEL work sites.

Please ensure that you are aware of your employer’s hiring and employment policy. If you should lose your job due to new employment requirements, you should e-mail scholarships@chilearn.org immediately. All cases will be reviewed on an individual basis.