Childbirth Education Scholarships

Childbirth Education Scholarships

The Good Beginnings Childbirth Education Scholarship Program offers a limited number of scholarships to help pay for childbirth education classes (up to a maximum of $125) for expectant parents in the Good Beginnings service area who demonstrate financial need. 

If you and/or your partner would like to take a childbirth education class, but you are worried about cost, please read the eligibility criteria and then follow the application process outlined below. Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted. Good Beginnings may ask for supporting documentation or further explanation from applicants, on a case-by-case basis.  

Who is eligible:

  • Because this scholarship is specifically for childbirth classes, you or your partner must be pregnant to be eligible. 
  • You must live in a community served by Good Beginnings of Central Vermont (all of Washington County, as well as the towns of Hardwick, Wolcott, Elmore, Stowe, Bolton, Orange, Topsham, Williamstown, Washington, Brookfield, Braintree, Randolph, Chelsea, Tunbridge.)
  • Your health insurance provider does not pay for childbirth education classes. 
  • You must demonstrate financial need. Good Beginnings uses household income and eligibility for WIC and/or Medicaid to determine an applicant’s financial need.  
    • Proof of eligibility for WIC (gross household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level) is required for the maximum scholarship of $125.  
    • If you are not eligible for WIC, but you meet the Medicaid income eligibility requirements for pregnant women (gross household income at or below 208% of federal poverty level), you may be eligible for a partial scholarship of up to $65. 
  • We try to keep our basic application as simple as possible, but we reserve the right to request additional information or documentation of financial need on a case-by-case basis.

How To Apply:

  • Fill out this short application and submit to Good Beginnings.
  • Good Beginnings may ask for additional information or documentation, on an as-needed basis, as part of the application process.
  • If your request is granted, you will be asked to provide documentation of enrollment in a childbirth education class and the cost of that class.
  • We will reimburse the childbirth education provider directly, not to exceed a maximum of $125 ($65 for a partial scholarship).   
  • If you choose to enroll in a class that costs more than the amount of your scholarship from Good Beginnings, you are responsible for the remaining balance. You must contact the workshop presenter to discuss a payment plan or waiving of balance.
  • It is your responsibility to select, and enroll in, a specific childbirth education class. Good Beginnings does not offer childbirth education workshops, and receiving a Good Beginnings scholarship does not guarantee you a space in your preferred class.

Funds for this scholarship are limited, and we may not be able to grant all requests.