As the Founding Executive Director of IBLCE, JoAnne W. Scott, MA, IBCLC, guided the organization with her knowledge, wisdom, compassion and caring from its inception in 1985 to 2005. Due to JoAnne’s vision, persistence, and hard work, this was a period of exceptional growth for the IBCLC credential. JoAnne passed away on September 18, 2006.Apply for a Scholarship to take the IBCLC Exam
MILCC provides financial assistance to exam applicants who are seeking initial certification to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), or current IBCLCs seeking re-certification by exam or continuing education. The international, annual examination is administered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE), in multiple countries around the world, and in a variety of languages.
The number of candidates supported each year depends on the availability of funds, which come from donations and the sale of pins, and from fundraising. Assistance is available to candidates who demonstrate financial disadvantage, and priority is given to those who work with under-served or disadvantaged families.
Successful MILCC applicants are awarded a full or partial scholarship for exam or recertification fees only. Applicants who require assistance for study materials and/or travel to the nearest exam site should seek funding from alternative sources.
MILCC awards scholarships to candidates who have met the qualifications to sit for the IBCLC exam, or to re-certify by CERPs. We also have two types of specialized scholarships: the JoAnne W. Scott Scholarship and the Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation Scholarship.
General Requirements for Applying
Candidates interested in ANY scholarship must submit financial statements (see application) and prepare a statement of request. The scholarship must be used in the year awarded. Mail your complete IBLCE Application and your MILCC Application together, directly to the IBLCE regional office that serves your country (see the applications for more information).
For your MILCC Application to be considered, you MUST attach:
1. Your complete IBLCE Exam Application or your complete Recertification Application, with all required accompanying materials.
- If you are an applicant for initial certification, you must have completed all IBLCE eligibility requirements (including background courses, lactation education, and practice hours) at the time you send your exam application, otherwise the MILCC application cannot be considered.
- MILCC cannot assess your application without a detailed presentation about your family income and circumstances, as well as detailed information about your paid and/or voluntary work.
- You should include appropriate documents showing family income (e.g., recent tax returns, assessments, or documents showing current income). If your tax return/assessment for the most recent year has not been prepared at the time of your application, you could include a copy of the previous year’s return/assessment with copies of recent payslips indicating the current year’s family income.
- If necessary, include a declaration outlining your family circumstances, signed before a Commissioner for Declarations, Justice of the Peace, or equivalent. In all documents, the currency must be clearly indicated. State also if you have received other funding in relation to IBLCE certification or recertification.
MILCC Scholarship
A MILCC Scholarship is available to a candidate who has met the qualifications to sit for the exam or to re-certify by CERPs (click here to see general information for the exam and recertification on the IBLCE website). This scholarship provides partial or complete financial aid for exam fees. The MILCC scholarship, at this time, does not provide support for preparatory classes or transportation to the exam site. Consideration is given to candidates with financial need, and priority given to the candidate who assists women who have limited access to the services of an IBCLC. The number of scholarships awarded is dependent on available funds.
JoAnne W. Scott Scholarship
The JoAnne W. Scott Scholarship is available to a candidate who has met the qualifications to sit for the exam (click here to see general information for the exam on the IBLCE website) and who is involved with direct "mother-to-mother support". This scholarship provides partial or complete financial aid for exam or recertification fees. If funds are available, the JWS scholarship may cover transportation fees to the exam site and a counseling text. Consideration is given to candidates with financial need, and priority given to the candidate who assists women with limited access to the services of an IBCLC. A detailed description of the candidate’s volunteer service to breastfeeding families must accompany this application. The amount of financial assistance awarded is dependent on available funds.
This is an Endowment Scholarship Fund separate from other MILCC Scholarships. Depending on available funds for this Endowment, at least one candidate may receive a scholarship each year. However, we need your donations to make this happen for mother-to-mother support counselors in need of financial assistance.
Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation Scholarship
The Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation Scholarship is available to a candidate who has met the qualifications to sit for the exam and who is a Canadian citizen (click here to see general information for the exam on the IBLCE website). The CBF scholarship is intended to assist in the development of lactation services in a remote or under represented area of Canada. This scholarship will provide complete financial aid for the exam fees. This scholarship cannot be used for recertification. Funds cannot be used for texts or for transportation to the exam site. Consideration is given to candidates with financial need, and priority given to the candidate who assists women who have limited access to the services of an IBCLC. One or more scholarships may be awarded each year.
