Afterschool Incentive Application Guidelines- Read directions carefully, procedures and forms have changed.
The Utah Afterschool Professional Development Incentive is a financial award designed to support professionals in enhancing their skills, ultimately benefiting Utah’s youth. This program offers a structured professional development system, including coursework, a registry to track accomplishments, and professional recognition.
Each Afterschool Incentive application and verification form must meet high professional standards. Failure to provide the requested information within the specified time will result in denial. It is recommended to review your application and verification form with a mentor or supervisor before submission.
For more details on the application process, check out the FAQ's. If you have questions, please email
Afterschool Professional Levels
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How to Apply for the Professional Development Incentive
Deadline: April 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM
Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Check if your afterschool program is approved for the Afterschool Professional Development Incentive by visiting the Child Care Licensing Website. Refer to the FAQs for guidance.
Step 2: Complete the Application
Complete this linked application for the Online Afterschool Professional Development Incentive Application. Your completed application must also include:
- Afterschool Professional Development Incentive Verification Form
- Employee Work History Form for Afterschool Incentive - requires an employer's signature
- Level 6 applicants must also include their demonstrated competency - proof of an Associate's Degree or higher or the Utah Afterschool School-Age Credential.
The Afterschool Professional Development Incentive Application, along with your Verification Form and Employee Work History Form, and demonstrated competency for Level 6 applicants must be submitted by the due date of April 10, 2026.
Step 3: Fill Out the Verification Form
- Download the Afterschool Professional Development Incentive Verification Form and complete all 4 tabs:
- Work Experience Verification. This tab MUST be completed and submitted as part of your Incentive application. Please note that one school year equals 8-12 months.
- Training Verification. All training must be completed within 12 months of the application date and cannot duplicate training from previous applications. To apply training hours toward Incentive level requirements, all form items must be filled out. A total of 30 hours of training is required. A minimum of 20 hours must be completed in Section 1 and aligned with the NAA Core Knowledge and Competencies; the remaining 10 hours of training can be completed in Section 1 or Section 2. A list of virtual Section 1 Approved Trainings is available for your convivence. If you have completed or would like to complete a course not listed in this document, you may submit it for review using the following form: UAN training application. Please allow 30 days for UAN to review the training.
- Professional Activities have been redesigned to align with the professional activities for the School-Age Credential. We highly recommend reviewing the new list of professional activities at the start of the school year to stay on track and make the most of your progress toward obtaining the afterschool incentive. Approved professional activities go beyond your current role, showing a commitment to leadership, growth, and sharing knowledge to strengthen the afterschool field. Completed professional activities must be linked as a PDF in the verification tab.
- Applicant Summary. This tab MUST be completed; do not abbreviate your name or leave any information blank.
Step 4: Ensure Accuracy
- It is your responsibility to fully complete the application, employment form, and verification form. Incomplete, vague, or inaccurate information will result in denial.
- Denied applicants must wait until the next school year to reapply.
Step 5: Submit Your Documents
- Once all tabs in the Verification Form are complete, save the file as: "First name Last name VF FY26".
- Email the completed document to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or include the completed Verification Form with your online application. - Remember, the Professional Development Afterschool Incentive Application, Employment Form, and Verification Form, which include linked professional activities, must be submitted BEFORE the deadline in order to be considered. Late submissions will not be accepted.
- It is best practice for you to keep all your training certificates in an organized folder for easy access. You do not need to submit training certificates with your application, but they must be available if requested during a random audit for any additional verification purposes. Certificates must include your first and last name, training title, training organization, hours, and date. If any certificate is altered or missing information, the application will be denied. Each year, 20% of applicants will be audited. If selected and you do not submit the required documentation, your application will not be approved.
Receiving Your Financial Award
Since December 17, 2020, the Utah Registry for Professional Development(URPD) has processed financial awards through Payment Works, a secure online platform. This means you no longer need to submit a W-9 or bank routing information with your application. If you’re approved for a financial incentive, you’ll receive an email with instructions to set up your Payment Works account. Please note that if your account isn’t completed by June 1, 2026, URPD will be unable to process your payment. Don’t miss out, be sure to get everything set up in time!
Questions?
For inquiries about your financial award, review the FAQs or contact Payment Works at
