This bill establishes two federal programs to support the early childhood education workforce. The first program authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to repay up to $6,000 per year in student loans for early childhood educators who commit to working in childcare settings for five years, with a total cap at their actual loan balance. The second program directs the Department of Education to provide grants of up to $4,000 per academic year to students pursuing associate's degrees or certificates in early childhood education, with recipients required to work in licensed early learning programs for at least one year within four years of completing their program. Both programs target educators working with childcare providers that receive federal assistance and include provisions for hardship extensions and income-based repayment if recipients fail to meet their service obligations. The bill authorizes $25 million annually through 2030 for the loan repayment program and $10 million annually through 2029 for the grant program, with the Department of Education required to submit implementation reports to Congress.
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