NHSA provides scholarships and awards opportunities to make it possible for early childhood professionals to advance in their careers and professional development.
The quality of our nation’s early childhood programs and system depends upon the caring, knowledgeable people who work with children and families everyday.
Scholarships and Awards applications are now closed.
- November 15 – Applications open.
- January 31 – Nominations are due.
- February – NHSA notifies awardees.
- April/May – National Head Start Conference Scholarship and Awards Ceremony (must attend in person)
NHSA Scholarship and Award recipients serve as models and ambassadors for the Head Start community. Recipients will be encouraged to share successful strategies with others during NHSA conferences, institutes, and gatherings.
- Applications are nominated from the Regional Associations, the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association, or the National Indian Head Start Directors Association, for your respective grant. You only need support from one of your affiliated regional or national associations.
- Your nomination must include a nomination letter from your nominating association. The letter shall state your nomination, the award you are applying for, and their support of your nomination. The nomination letter must be on their letterhead.
- Applicants must be associated with a program that is a current member of NHSA. For Sargent Shriver Excellence in Community Service Award and the Edward Zigler Innovation Award, a grant recipient and a community partner are required.
- An individual may not be nominated for more than one scholarship or award per year. Local member programs may not nominate more than one person or program.
- Applications must be submitted online. Incomplete applications will not be considered; nominees will be contacted primarily via email.
- Individuals selected for an award or scholarship must be able to provide required information to redeem cash awards.
- Applicants allow NHSA to publicize their nomination.
- NHSA board members, staff, and family members are ineligible.
Aubrey Puckett Memorial Award
This national staff award celebrates a Head Start alumna, alumnus, or parent now working for a Head Start or Early Head Start program.
Edward Zigler Innovation Award
The Edward Zigler Innovation Award celebrates local programs who have partnered to create high impact services to children and families.
Vanessa Rich Leadership Award
This award celebrates a new Head Start/Early Head Start director with three or less years of service.
Ron Herndon Head Start Parent Scholarship
This scholarship supports Head Start parents who, through their own efforts to mobilize other parents and community members, have affected real change in their programs and communities.
Sargent Shriver Excellence in Community Service Award
The Sargent Shriver Excellence in Community Service Award celebrates a significant individual organizational achievement in poverty alleviation, early education, or community health.
Alumni Scholarship Award
In honor of Head Start’s proven model of success, the National Head Start Alumni Scholarship is a non-renewable merit award to celebrate Head Start student achievement in high school and support students as they begin the next leg of their educational journey.