Scholarships for families to help pay for early childhood programs

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 85 percent of the State Median Income OR are receiving assistance from an approved state or federally funded program.

In addition to meeting eligibility income requirements, children are prioritized for a scholarship if they meet one or more criteria.

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

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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 Children, Youth and Families Early Learning Scholarships webpage or by visiting the Early Learning Scholarships Hub or contacting the local Area Administrator for your home county.

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