SAN DIEGO, Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashford University announced today the launch of the Head Start Grant Program. Effective immediately, the program is designed to help employees of Head Start advance their education with grants and waivers for degree programs at Ashford University.

With the new Head Start Grant, all Head Start teachers and employees who apply and are accepted to Ashford University will be eligible for a ten percent tuition grant. They will also receive a waiver of Ashford's technology services fee and free required course materials for all mandatory courses.

"Ashford University created the Head Start Grant Program because we wanted to help prepare pre-school teachers nationwide for new federal requirements," said Ashford University president Dr. Elizabeth Tice.

As of September 30, 2013, at least half of Head Start teachers will need to have a bachelor's or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education, or a bachelor's or advanced degree in any subject with coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education with experience teaching preschool-age children.

"By helping Head Start teachers meet these educational requirements, Ashford is also helping to prepare some of the country's youngest students to be successful in school and in their lives after graduation," Dr. Tice said.

Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of preschool age children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. Head Start organizations include community action agencies, public/private school systems, non-profits, government agencies, tribal governments and consortia.

To apply for the Head Start Grant, students must submit a completed Head Start Grant Eligibility Request form and a copy of a paycheck stub issued within the last 30 days indicating that they are an employee of Head Start.

More information about Ashford University's new Head Start Grant Program can be found online at success.ashford.edu/headstart or by calling 888.851.0643.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.

About Head Start

Established in 1965, Head Start promotes school readiness for children, ages three to five, in low-income families by offering educational, nutritional, health, social and other services. Programs actively engage parents in their children's learning and help them in making progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals. Significant emphasis is placed on the involvement of parents in the administration of local Head Start programs. For more information, call 866.763.6481.

Contact: Shari Rodriguez, Associate Vice President of Public Relations

858.513.9240 x2513 - shari.rodriguez@ashford.edu

SOURCE Ashford University