Scholarships for families to help pay for early childhood programs

Description

Early learning scholarships help families with the highest needs access quality early education and care programs for their child. Scholarships provide financial support for children to attend an early learning program participating in Parent Aware.

There are two ways a family can access an early learning scholarship:

• Pathway I - Scholarship is awarded to families that meet eligibility requirements. The funds are paid directly to the early childhood program the family chooses. The program must participate in the Parent Aware Quality Rating and Improvement System and may include Head Start, school district prekindergarten and preschool programs, and family or center-based child care programs. Pathway I scholarships "follow the child" and are awarded to the family for up to 12 months. Children are eligible to renew and use their scholarship each year until they are age five on September 1 or are enrolled in and attending kindergarten, whichever is earlier.

• Pathway II - Some Four-Star Parent Aware Rated programs have funding that they can award to families attending their programs. These include Head Start, school district prekindergarten and preschool programs, and family or center-based child care programs. Families with a child attending or interested in attending a Four-Star Parent Aware Rated program should inquire directly with the program on availability and application.

Additional information is available on the Minnesota Department of Education Early Learning Scholarships webpage or by calling (888) 291-9811 to be directed to the local Area Administrator of scholarships.

Features

• Area Served by County
  • Blue Earth County
  • Brown County
  • Carver County
  • Chisago County
  • Dakota County
  • Dodge County
  • Faribault County
  • Fillmore County
  • Freeborn County
  • Goodhue County
  • Houston County
  • Isanti County
  • Kanabec County
  • Le Sueur County
  • Martin County
  • Mille Lacs County
  • Mower County
  • Nicollet County
  • Olmsted County
  • Pine County
  • Rice County
  • Scott County
  • Sibley County
  • Steele County
  • Wabasha County
  • Waseca County
  • Watonwan County
  • Winona County

• Specialization
  • People with low income

Eligibility

Children birth through age 4 are eligible, and 5-year-olds are eligible if they turn 5 after September 1 of the current school year. (Children age out of eligibility if they are age 5 on September 1 or are enrolled in and attending kindergarten, whichever is earlier.) The child must reside in Minnesota. Eligible families have a household income equal to or less than 47 percent of the State Median Income OR are receiving assistance from an approved state or federally funded program.

Children are prioritized for a scholarship if they meet one or more of the following criteria. Families must also meet income requirements to be eligible, unless noted below.

A child's application is considered priority if they:

• Are in foster care or have a parent/guardian who is in extended foster care up to age 21 (no income documentation required). Note: If your child is in foster care, your foster care case worker must apply online. Foster parents cannot apply for a scholarship themselves.
• Have been referred as in need of child protection services (no income documentation required).
• Have a parent under age 21 who is pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
• Have experienced homelessness in the last 24 months.
• Have a parent currently in jail, prison, detention center or on active supervision.
• Are in, or have a parent currently in a substance use treatment program.
• Are in, or have a parent currently in a mental health treatment program.
• Have experienced domestic violence.
• Currently have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) (ages 3 to 5) or an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) (ages birth to 3).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Families First of Minnesota serves the following counties: Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Isanti, Kanabec, Le Sueur, Martin, Mille Lacs, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Pine, Rice, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, Winona

Application Instructions

Families can apply online for an Early Learning Scholarship – Pathway I Scholarship.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Applications and instructions

If you have any questions, or to request an application, please contact a Families First of Minnesota Scholarship Administrator at (888) 450-2773 or email: elsinfo@familiesfirstmn.org

For families living in other counties in Minnesota, call (888) 291-9811 for further assistance.

Fee

No fee for eligible families, though scholarship may not cover the full cost of the chosen early learning program