APPLY EARLY!
All applications require a $250 application fee, unless submitted prior to May 1, which is then reduced to $150.
Deadlines
Students are urged to apply as soon as possible but the only deadlines are tuition due dates.
For students who seek reimbursement through financial aid for fees already paid, the FAFSA application must be at the school (MECR) by the student’s last day of enrollment in the academic year in which the course is completed.
Tuition and Fees
Early Childhood Overview Course is Online
Payment Plan
Early Childhood Overview Course: $ 750 – Due at time of enrollment in Infant & Toddler or Elementary Courses. We strongly recommend that you enroll early to have ample time to complete the Early Childhood Overview.
This is a prerequisite for Infant & Toddler and Elementary applicants.
Infant & Toddler Course Start Date: June 9, 2025
Application Fee: $ 250 ($150 for applications received before May 1st)
Early Childhood Overview Fee: $750 – Due 15 days after acceptance. Not included in tuition. Required for Infant and Toddler students who do not hold an Early Childhood credential from an AMS, AMI, or other MACTE accredited institution.
Registration Fee: $ 500 – Due 15 days after acceptance. Applied to the full tuition.
Infant & Toddler Tuition: $8,000, Academic phase: $4,500
AMS & MACTE Fees: Included in tuition
Plan A: Standard Payment Plan
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 4,000 due June 1, 2025 = $4,500 total for academic phase only
$ 3,500 student teaching practicum fee due August 1, 2025
$ 8,000 Total
Plan B: Deferred payment plan (includes $100 additional charge)
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 3,000 due June 1, 2025
$ 2,300 due August 1, 2025
$ 2,300 due January 15, 2026
$8,100 Total
Plan C: Monthly payment plan (includes $200 additional charge)
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 3,100 due June 1, 2025
$ 4,600 $460 due by the first of each month, July 2025 through April 2026 (10 payments)
$8,200 Total
Plan D: For students receiving Title IV Federal Student Aid
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 3,750 due July 2025 on initial Federal disbursement
$ 3,750 due December 2025 on second Federal disbursement
$8,000 Total
Expenses
Student Teaching Practicum Expenses:
MECR pays the consultant honorarium and local travel expenses for three visits by a qualified Field Consultant to the student’s teaching practicum site. Students at schools more than 60 miles from Denver may expect additional expenses for consultant travel and accommodations unless a local consultant is available. MECR will pay the first $200 of these expenses for each of the first 3 visits (total $600 for 3 visits). The student (or sponsoring school) is responsible for consultant travel and accommodation expenses above this amount.
*Self-Directed students pay an additional fee of $800, which includes the cost of at least two additional Field Consultant consultations.
Books and materials:
Students should budget a minimum of $300 to purchase required texts. A booklist is in the Course Handbook, which is provided at the interview.
Materials-Making: Plan for expenses of at least $200 for making materials in the summer and throughout the year.
Supplies:
MECR uses digital albums. Students will need a computer and camera (your phone is fine) for classwork and homework. Students may print their album at the end of the course at their own expense.
Early Childhood Course Start Date: June 9, 2025
Application Fee: $ 250 ($150 early-bird fee if received before May 1st)
Registration Deposit: $ 500 – Due 15 days after acceptance. Applied to the full tuition.
Early Childhood Tuition: $ 8,800 – Academic Phase only: $5,300
AMS & MACTE Fees: Included in tuition
Plan A: Standard Payment Plan
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 4,800 due June 1, 2025 = $5,300 total for academic phase only
$ 3,500 student teaching practicum fee due August 1, 2025
$ 8,800 Total
Plan B: Deferred payment plan (includes $100 additional charge)
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 3,600 due June 1, 2025
$ 2,400 due August 1, 2025
$ 2,400 due January 15, 2026
$ 8,900 Total
Plan C: Monthly payment plan (includes $200 additional charge)
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 3,600 due June 1, 2025
$ 4,900 10 payments of $490, due by the 1st of each month July 2025 through April 2026
$9,000 Total
Plan D: For students receiving Title IV Federal Student Aid
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 4,150 due July 2025 on initial Federal fund disbursement
$ 4,150 due December 2025 on second Federal fund disbursement
$ 8,800 Total
Expenses
Student Teaching Practicum Expenses:
MECR pays the consultant honorarium and local travel expenses for three visits by a qualified Field Consultant to the student’s practicum site. Students at schools more than 60 miles from Denver may expect additional expenses for consultant travel and accommodations unless a local Field Consultant is available. MECR will pay the first $200 of these expenses for each of the first 3 visits (total $600 for 3 visits). The student (or sponsoring school) is responsible for Field Consultant travel and accommodation expenses above this amount.
*Self-Directed students pay an additional fee of $800, which includes the cost of at least two additional Field Consultant consultations.
Books:
Students should budget a minimum of $300 to purchase required texts. A booklist is provided in the Course Handbook, which is provided at the interview.
Materials-Making:
Plan for expenses of at least $200 for making materials in the summer and throughout the year.
Supplies:
MECR uses digital albums. Students will need a computer and camera (your phone is fine) for classwork and homework. Students may print their album at the end of the course at their own expense.
Elementary I Course Start Date: June 9, 2025
Application Fee: $ 250 ($150 for applications received before May 1st)
Early Childhood Overview Fee: $750 – Due 15 days after acceptance. Not included in tuition. Required for Elementary students who do not hold an Early Childhood credential from an AMS, AMI, or other MACTE accredited institution.
Registration Fee: $ 500 – Due 15 days after acceptance. Applied to the full tuition.
Elementary I Phase: $ 9,200 – Academic Phase only: $5,500
Elementary II Extension: $ 6,400
AMS & MACTE Fees: Included in tuition
Plan A: Standard Payment Plan
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 5,000 due June 1, 2025 = $5,500 total for academic phase
$ 3,700 student teaching practicum fee, due August 1, 2025
$ 9,200 Total
Plan B: Deferred Payment Plan (includes $100 additional charge)
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 3,600 due June 1, 2025
$ 2,600 due August 1, 2025
$ 2,600 due January 15, 2026
$ 9,300 Total
Plan C: Monthly Payment Plan (includes $200 additional charge)
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 3,800 due June 1, 2025
$ 5,100 $510 due by first of each month, July 2025 through April 2026 (10 payments)
$ 9,400 Total
Plan D: For students receiving Title IV Federal Student Aid
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 4,350 due July 2025 on initial Federal fund disbursement
$ 4,350 due December 2025 on second Federal fund disbursement
$ 9,200 Total
Elementary II Course (Start Date: June 16, 2025)
Plan A: Tuition paid in full by June 1, 2025
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 5,900 due June 1, 2025
$ 6,400 Total
Plan B: Deferred Payment Plan (includes $100 additional charge)
$ 500 registration fee, due 15 days after acceptance
$ 3,000 due June 1, 2025
$ 3,000 due August 1, 2025
$ 6,500 Total
**Note: Title IV Federal Student Aid is not available for this continuation course
Expenses
Student Teaching Practicum Expenses:
MECR pays the consultant honorarium and local travel expenses for three visits by a qualified Field Consultant to the student’s teaching practicum site. Students at schools more than 60 miles from Denver may expect additional expenses for consultant travel and accommodations unless a local consultant is available. MECR will pay the first $200 of these expenses for each visit (total $600 for 3 visits). The student (or sponsoring school) is responsible for consultant travel and accommodation expenses above this amount. *Self-directed practicum students receive two additional Field Consultant consultations and there is an added fee of $800.
Books:
Students should budget a minimum of $300 to purchase required texts. A booklist is provided in the Course Handbook, which is provided at the interview.
Materials-Making:
Plan for expenses of at least $200 for making materials in the summer and through the year. MECR uses digital albums and students will need access to Adobe Acrobat. Students will need a computer and camera (your phone is fine) for classwork and homework. Students may print their album at the end of the course at their own expense.
Further Financial Information
Housing and travel arrangements are the responsibility of the student.
Contact information for apartments and rooms for rent is available for accepted students on this site.
We recommend students visit accommodations or obtain references before signing a contract.
Students whose accounts become delinquent by 30 days will not be permitted to participate further in the course (including seminars, field consultant visits, practicum, assessments). Accounts must be fully paid in order for students to be recommended for certification.
MECR reserves the right to cancel courses due to insufficient enrollment up to 6 weeks before classes begin. In case of cancellation, or in the unlikely event that MECR discontinues a course in progress, students enrolled in the course will receive a full refund of tuition. Refunds will be made within 30 days of the official date of cancellation or termination of a course, which is the date when the decision is made by the MECR Board. In the unlikely event that MECR ceases operation, there are no refunds.
Postponement of a starting date, whether at the request of the school or the student, requires a written agreement signed by the student and MECR. The agreement must set forth whether the postponement is for the convenience of MECR or the student, and a deadline for the new start date, beyond which the start date will not be postponed. If the course is not commenced, or the student fails to attend by the new start date set forth in the agreement, the student will be entitled to an appropriate refund of prepaid tuition and fees within 30 days of the deadline of the new start date set forth in the agreement, determined in accordance with MECR refund policy and all applicable laws and rules concerning the Colorado Private Occupational Education Act of 1981.
All payments are refunded if an applicant is not accepted, with the exception of the Application Fee.
Any student wishing to withdraw at any point during the course must submit his or her reasons in writing to the Director. Refunds will be determined by the date that notice is received.
A student has the right to cancel an Enrollment and Tuition Agreement for 3 days after submitting it.
If a student withdraws
Before the first week of classes:
All fees will be refunded except for a $150 processing fee.
After classes begin, academic phase tuition will be refunded with deductions as follows:
10% within Week One
25% within Weeks Two and Three
50% within Week Four
75% within Weeks Five and Six
There will be no refunds after the sixth week
Student teaching practicum phase refunds will be made with deductions as follows:
10% before September 15
25% between September 15 and November 1
50% between November 1 and January 15
75% between January 15 and March 15
After March 15 no refunds will be made.
Refunds will be provided within 30 days of receipt of written notice of withdrawal. This refund schedule is based on instructional hours.
Funds are deposited in the MECR federal account and credited to the student’s tuition account in two equal payments in mid-July and late-December. MECR reserves the right to apply funds to tuition and fees first. Remaining funds are disbursed by MECR in two equal semi-annual payments. The student must maintain satisfactory progress in order to receive continued funding. The maximum time for completion is 1.5 times the published course length. For Direct Loans, a small percentage is taken out of the loan amount by the bank. Online Entrance Counseling is required before disbursement and can be completed at studentaid.gov
This funding is paid directly to MECR and credited to the student’s tuition account. If the student withdraws before completing their course, the unused portion of the tuition must be returned to the AMS Scholarship Fund.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
For more information, contact
Susan Roth
MECR Financial Director
Most students receive stipends from their school during the student teaching practicum phase.
Federal Aid Programs
Students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as candidates for certification in a MECR Infant and Toddler, Early Childhood or Elementary I Course, and are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, and have financial need, may qualify for one of the following programs. (Please note: The Elementary II continuation course component does not meet eligibility requirements for Title IV Aid):
Available only to undergraduates. Do not have to be repaid.
Available to both college graduates and undergraduates.
Loans must be repaid starting 6 months after completion of the course. Unsubsidized loans accrue interest beginning immediately after receiving the loan. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest until repayment begins. Subsidized loans do not require financial need.
Available to eligible parents of students. Must be repaid with interest, starting within 60 days after the final loan disbursement. Yearly limit is equal to the cost of attendance minus any financial aid received.
Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA)
Complete a FAFSA at studentaid.gov
For 2024-2025 Applicants, please use the 2024-2025 FAFSA which will be available in December.
The MECR Federal School Code is 033063 and can be found under our legal name: Rocky Mountain Montessori Teacher Training Program, DBA MECR
studentaid.gov is a U.S. Department of Education website. Here you will be able to fill out a Master Promissory Note, Entrance and Exit Counseling and find a wealth of information about Student Financial Aid.
Telephone assistance is available at 1-800-433-3243 or through the MECR office at 303-494-3002
Application Deadline:
Students are urged to apply as soon as possible.
For students who seek reimbursement through financial aid for fees already paid, the application must be at the school by the student’s last day of enrollment in the academic year in which the course is completed.
American Montessori Society
Teacher Education Scholarship Fund
A limited number of grants are awarded annually to selected applicants who have been accepted for enrollment in an AMS affiliated teacher education course. The application requires a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, a financial statement with a copy of the most recent income tax return, and verification of acceptance by the Director of the teacher education program. Please check the AMS website for the submission deadline.
To be considered for the AMS Scholarship, documentation must be provided by MECR verifying that an applicant has been accepted to an approved training program. To allow MECR time for processing this documentation, we encourage applicants to MECR who are also applying for the AMS Scholarship to apply to MECR by March 31. Those applying to MECR after March 31 may need to accelerate the application process, especially transcripts and references. NOTE: MECR practices rolling admission to our program. We encourage early application to avoid being wait-listed, but continue to accept applications until a course is full (usually May).
Application forms: Available on the AMS website. For information and an application CLICK HERE
FUNDING NOTE
This funding is paid directly to MECR and credited to the student’s tuition account. If the student withdraws before completing their course, the unused portion of the tuition must be returned to the AMS Scholarship Fund.
SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Veterans, their spouses and dependents may be eligible for educational benefits. Call the Veterans Administration Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000 for information.
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Rehabs.org strives to provide equal opportunities to people of all backgrounds, and we are proud to support students in their unique educational journeys.
SCHOLARSHIPS WITH TIES TO…
Federal Funds
Funds are deposited in the MECR federal account and credited to the student’s tuition account in two equal payments in mid-July and late-December. MECR reserves the right to apply funds to tuition and fees first. Remaining funds are disbursed by MECR in two equal semi-annual payments. The student must maintain satisfactory progress in order to receive continued funding. The maximum time for completion is 1.5 times the published course length. For Direct loans, a small percentage is taken out of the loan amount by the bank. Online Entrance Counselling is required before disbursement and can be completed at studentaid.gov