Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential Stipend Application (FY26-27)

Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential Stipend Application (FY26-27)

Instructional and Child Care Personnel with courses ending between 07/01/2026 - 05/18/2027 applying for the $1000.00 stipend.
Welcome!

STIPEND APPLICATION CODE: LSTP-27-011-LIT

Please read the information below before proceeding:

This application is for Instructional and Child Care personnel who are applying for the Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential Stipend for $1000.00.

Micro-Credential Completions between July 1, 2026 and May 18, 2027 only.
- The application for stipends will close at midnight June 1, 2027.
- All submissions will be reviewed in the order they are received.
- Stipends are limited to one (1) Literacy Micro-Credential stipend per person.
- Participants who have already received one (1) Literacy Micro-Credential stipend, will not receive another stipend.
- Stipends are not guaranteed and dependent upon budget availability and eligibility. Stipend processing may take up to 8 weeks to process after the official course end date, grading period, final grade, mastery completion, and submitting an accurate stipend application, please understand this is just an estimation and processing times are not definite.
- Stipends are only available for courses officially ending between 07/01/2026 - 05/18/2027.
Payment Distribution

The primary stipend distribution method will be via JP Morgan Concourse (ACH/Zelle).
- The University of Florida has transitioned from Zelle to the J.P. Morgan Concourse payment system. Concourse supports Zelle and ACH payment options and requires only an email for transactions. There is no pre-payment account creation for Concourse, you will receive an email from JP Morgan when funds are sent. The email will have the payment details with a link to register and accept your stipend payment. Please check your spam/junk folder for the J.P. Morgan Chase Concourse registration email to ensure you do not miss it. You will have 14 days to claim your payment after receiving the Concourse registration email.
- JP Morgan Concourse registration email will come from University of Florida (donotreply@jpmorgan.com), please add this to your email contacts or safe sender list to ensure quick processing of the email.
- The University of Florida is not responsible for any erroneous payment information.You will  not  be asked to share your banking information with UF.
- Note: UF anticipates moving to a new participant payment system in 2027. Participants whose payments are issued in 2027 should be aware that current payment options and procedures may change. Please refer to the latest instructions provided by our stipends team.
IMPORTANT:
1. At the end of the application, you must upload your most recent pay slip as verification of your current employment at a Child Care Facility and/or SR/VPK provider. Prepare this document before continuing and be sure to follow the specific file naming requirements detailed on the upload page before submitting.
2. For Child Care personnel, please ensure your workplace information for provider name, address, and License Number matches the information on https://caressearch.myflfamilies.com/PublicSearch
3. Visit our website (https://lastingerlearning.com/stipends/) to learn more about stipend eligibility requirements and use our interactive eligibility tool.
4. All participant incentives are considered taxable income by the IRS, please expect to be issued a 1099 tax form by UF.
5. Please enter ALL your personal details consistent with your IRS profile and EXACTLY as they appear on your SSN card.
6. Each year, the University of Florida will enforce a Fiscal Year-end pause on all financial activity in June/July. This means stipend payment distributions are expected to pause in mid-June and return with the new fiscal beginning. If you are an eligible participant and not paid the stipend by this pause, your stipend will be distributed once the University resumes financial activity, estimated in mid to late July.
By completing the application, you agree to the terms of payment and eligibility upon completion of all requirements, aiding in verifying your eligibility, and that your employer must be eligible at the time of completion.

All data entered is required for processing your stipend eligibility, payment, and is subject to UF Data Policy: Data Security - Information Security - University of Florida (ufl.edu).

Please fill-in each field in the form. Ensure correct information is included in your submission for faster and successful processing.

Personal Information

Please include all required* information to ensure a speedy processing time.
Stipend Agreement

I understand and attest that my application is contingent on available funds, is not guaranteed, and will be processed in the order submitted. I attest that I am an eligible person employed at an eligible workplace, and attest my employer is aware and sponsors my participation in this Micro-Credential. By completing the application, I agree to the terms of payment and eligibility upon completion of all requirements, aiding in verifying my eligibility, and that my employer must be eligible at the time of completion as a childcare facility or VPK and/or SR contracted provider as applicable. Additionally:
- I understand that stipend availability, timelines, and eligibility are not guaranteed.
- I understand that stipends are contingent upon available funding and are subject to changes, restrictions, and limitations.
- I understand stipend distribution is dependent on being an eligible person who is employed at an eligible workplace and meets all eligibility requirements.
- I understand that it is my responsibility to successfully apply for the appropriate stipend within 30 days of course completion.
- I understand that providing incorrect or incomplete documentation or information may result in a delay or prevent the processing of my stipend application.
- I understand that stipends are considered taxable income by the IRS and, if applicable, I will receive a 1099 tax form from UF. Therefore, I will provide my full name and Social Security Number (SSN) exactly as they appear on my SSN card, along with other personal details, such as my address, that match the information on my tax filings.
- I understand that the University of Florida is not responsible for any erroneous payment information.
Please Attest
First Name
Your first name as it appears on your SSN Card.
Middle Name
Your middle name (if applicable) as it appears on your SSN Card.
Last Name
Your last name as it appears on your SSN Card.
SSN
9 numeric digits as they appears on your SSN Card. - This will be used for determining eligibility and tax purposes. Your SSN is required for the University to perform its duties and responsibilities as prescribed by Florida’s Public Records Law, Florida Statute 119.071(5). All participant incentive payments are considered taxable income.
Confirm SSN
Please re-enter your SSN.
Please ensure both SSN fields match.
DOB

MonthDayYear
Street Address
Include apt/suite, if applicable (Do Not Use PO Box Address). If you input a PO BOX address your application cannot be processed.
City
State
Please select one option.
Zip Code
5 numeric digits
Personal Email
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Lastinger Learning Portal Email
example@example.com (The username used for Lastinger Learning Portal login; Your application may not be processed without a valid and accurate Lastinger Learning username.)
Lastinger Learning ID
You can find this number by signing into https://portal.lastingerlearning.com, your learner ID will be on the top right corner. Your application may not be processed without a valid and accurate Lastinger Learning ID.
DCF Student ID
Your Personal Department of Children and Families (DCF) Student ID Number. Typically found on your DCF transcript. For those working at a public school who do not have a DCF Student ID Number, your FDOE Teaching Certificate Number can be substituted.

Payment Information

JP Morgan Chase Concourse
The University of Florida has transitioned from Zelle to the J.P. Morgan Concourse payment system, and is now the primary payment method for stipends. Concourse supports Zelle and ACH payment options and requires only an email for transactions. There is no pre-payment account creation for Concourse; you will receive an email from J.P. Morgan Concourse when funds are sent. The email will have the payment details with a link to register and accept your stipend payment. Please check your spam/junk folder for the J.P. Morgan Chase Concourse registration email to ensure you do not miss it. You will have 14 days to claim your payment after receiving the Concourse registration email.

The JP Morgan Concourse registration email will come from University of Florida (donotreply@jpmorgan.com), please add this to your email contacts or safe sender list to ensure quick processing of the email.

Please ensure that this email is unique to you and accessible from August 2026 onward. We recommend using a personal email address rather than your work email for JP Morgan Concourse.

Note: UF anticipates moving to a new participant payment system in 2027. Participants whose payments are issued in 2027 should be aware that current payment options and procedures may change. Please refer to the latest instructions provided by our stipends team.

Please provide your Email for Receiving Payment via Concourse:
Email for Digital Payment

Confirmation Emailexample@example.com

Child Care Facility or SR/VPK Workplace Information

The information below is necessary for processing and validation.
EFS ID Number
Please request your Provider Portal number from your Director. This number is also known as your Enhanced Field System (EFS) or Quality Performance System (QPS) number. It is a unique identifier that we use to match your records and process your application. If known, this number can greatly reduce stipend processing times.
Current Educational Role
Select the role that best describes you. If you completed the Elementary or Secondary Micro-Credential, do not use this application.
Workplace Type Description
Please make one selection. If 'Other', please include type in next field.
Other Workplace Classification
If you selected 'Other' on the previous question, please provide a description in this field.
School District
Select your District.
Early Learning Coalition
Select your Coalition.
Type of Provider
Please make one selection.
School
Workplace or School Name
Workplace Address
Include apt/suite, if applicable.
Workplace City
Workplace State
Please make one selection.
Workplace Zip Code
5 numeric digits
DCF License Number
Enter your workplace or school's DCF license number or exemption number. If known, this number can greatly reduce stipend processing times. This number can be easily found online at: https://caressearch.myflfamilies.com/PublicSearch
Is your workplace SR or VPK?
Select if your school is School Readiness (SR) or VPK contracted with FDOE/Division of Early Learning.
SR or VPK Provider Selection
Important!

You must upload your most recent pay slip as verification of your current employment at a Child Care Facility or SR/VPK provider. Contact your supervisor or school director if you need help downloading your paystub.

The pay slip you upload must include your name and workplace name and address as verification of your employment at an eligible workplace.

When naming your document file for upload, please use only one period and remove any special characters or spaces. For example, 'lastname.pdf' is the required file name format.

Not adhering to the required format may prevent or delay your application processing.

Please ensure only one document is uploaded and your file is not corrupt or password protected.
Pay Slip Upload

Formats: .pdf, .png, .jpg. 10MB limit
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Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential Stipend Application (FY26-27)

Welcome!

Personal Information

Payment Information

Child Care Facility or SR/VPK Workplace Information

Important!