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Applying usually takes less than
20 minutes.

What you’ll need to apply

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Completed application

You will need your banking information and a contact for your director.
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Income verification

Submit income documentation to verify you fall under our salary cap for eligibility.
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Official transcript

Order an official college transcript OR submit your CDA certificate of completion.
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How to verify your income with us

For employees:

Send a copy of a current pay stub (we only need one) that accurately reflects your normal schedule. If you work 40 hours per week, your pay stub should show very close to 40 hours.

For family child care owners:

Submit Schedule C from your most recently filed taxes.

For facility owners:

Please supply your most recent 1040 tax form, all supporting schedules, and the W-2 form. If you file jointly, the W-2 forms from both parties must be submitted. Additional tax documentation may be requested if necessary.

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Transcript

How to send us your college transcripts

What to send

Submit official transcripts by mail for ALL college coursework completed at a regionally accredited college or university. Official transcripts are generally printed on special school paper for security purposes and may also feature a stamped school seal. Copied or faxed transcripts cannot be accepted. Workshops and training hours are not acceptable documentation.

Send electronically (recommended)

Electronic submissions can be sent to wages@signalcenters.org.

Send by mail

Child Care WAGE$® TENNESSEE
109 N. Germantown Road
Chattanooga, TN 37411

Tips for getting your college transcripts

1

Go to your college/university website and use the search bar to locate "transcript request”

2

Select the transcript request option and fill out the request form completely.

3

Request transcripts be electronically delivered directly to
wages@signalcenters.org.

If your college does not do electronic delivery, request a transcript be mailed to our Chattanooga office:

Child Care WAGE$® TENNESSEE
109 N. Germantown Road
Chattanooga, TN 37411

4

Pay any transcript fee if required (cost will vary by college/university and state).

5

Submit form.

* Official transcripts are printed on special school paper for security purposes. Official transcripts cannot be faxed or altered. WAGE$ cannot accept copies or unofficial transcripts.

The supplement scale

Supplement totals shown reflect full-time hours worked in the classroom. Applicants working less than full-time will receive a prorated amount. All college credit hours must be earned through a regionally accredited institution.

Level

Education Required

Annual Supplement

Level

01*

Education Required

6 credit hours in early childhood education

or

or

Annual Supplement

$600

Level

02*

Education Required

National CDA [course credit or training hours (must show certificate of completion for training CDA)]

or

12 early childhood education credit hours

or

Basics in Early Childhood Technical Certificate

Annual Supplement

$800

Level

03*

Education Required

18 hours early childhood credit hours

or

Infant Toddler Technical Certificate/Early Childhood Education Technical Certificate

or

24 credit hours of general education with at least 12 in early childhood education

Annual Supplement

$1,350

Level

04*

Education Required

36 credit hours of general education plus or including 18 in early childhood education

or

or

Annual Supplement

$2,100

Level

05*

Education Required

50 credit hours of general education plus or including 24 in early childhood education

or

or

Annual Supplement

$2,850

Level

06*

Education Required

60 credit hours of general education plus or including 3 0 in early childhood education

or

or

Annual Supplement

$3,300

Level

07*

Education Required

Bachelor's or Master's Degree with fewer than 12 credit hours in early childhood education

or

or

Annual Supplement

$3,750

Level

07

Education Required

Associate Degree plus or including at least 24 credit hours in early childhood education

or

or

Annual Supplement

$3,750

Level

08

Education Required

90 credits toward Bachelor's Degree plus or including at least 18 credit hours in early childhood education

or

Bachelor's Degree plus or including at least 12 credit hours in early childhood education

or

Annual Supplement

$4,050

Level

09

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree plus or including 18 credit hours in early childhood education

or

Master's Degree plus or including 12 credit hours in early childhood education

or

Annual Supplement

$5,400

Level

10

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree plus or including 30 credit hours in earl childhood education

or

Master's Degree plus or including 24 credit hours in early childhood education

or

Annual Supplement

$7,800

*Retain eligibility by moving up the scale

Teachers awarded with a supplement must move up to a higher level within two years in order to retain eligibility. Deadlines will be reestablished at each temporary level. Family child care providers have three years to achieve the education needed to move up.

Educators give WAGE$ a gold star

Not ready to apply?

Don't let your questions keep you from getting a salary supplement. We are here for you, so don't hesitate to reach out via our live chat with questions, comments, or concerns.

$1.3k
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$5.4k
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$2.1k
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Apply to receive up to $7.8k a year

The work you do matters. Get acknowledged now for your education and commitment to the early childhood field.

$2.1k
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$3.3k
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