Early Learning Scholarships

There are two pathways to a state early learning scholarship:

 

 

Pathway I scholarships are awarded directly to families who meet eligibility requirements. Pathway I scholarship funds are paid to the early childhood program that the family chooses. The program must be participating in the Parent Aware Quality Rating and Improvement System and may include Head Start, school district prekindergarten and preschool programs, licensed child care centers, and licensed family child care programs. Pathway I scholarships “follow the child” and are awarded to the family with a renewal option each year as long as the child remains age-eligible. Pathway I scholarships are paid directly to the early childhood program that the child attends.

 

 

Pathway II scholarships are awarded to families through an eligible Four-Star Parent Aware Rated program that has been granted Pathway II funds. These include Head Start, school district prekindergarten and preschool programs, licensed child care centers, and licensed family child care programs. Child eligibility for Pathway II scholarships is the same as Pathway I. Pathway II scholarships are paid directly to the early childhood program that awarded the scholarship. If the family chooses a new program, the Pathway II funding stays with the early childhood program that awarded the scholarship. 

 

For more information on Parent Aware, please visit the Parent Aware website.

At this time, maximum scholarship award amounts vary based on the Parent Aware Star Rating of the early childhood program serving the child, up to the limit (cap) of $12,000-$15,000, based on program type and Parent Aware rating, per scholarship year.

 

Starting July 1, 2024, maximum award amounts will be based on the child’s age, program type, county where the program is located, and Parent Aware participation status. View the Early Learning Scholarship Maximum Award Amounts and the Early Learning Scholarships Maximum Registration Fees to learn more.

 

Questions about a specific child’s scholarship should be directed to the awarding Area Administrator if a Pathway I scholarship or the awarding program if a Pathway II scholarship.

The Early Learning Scholarships application for Pathway I is undergoing a digital transformation! At the end of January 2024, Regions 2, 4, and 5 as well as the White Earth and Leech Lake Tribal Communities moved to the new digital system where applicants can apply online and renew via a portal. Area Administrators that serve these regions will process applications and renewals digitally. Find your region’s Area Administrator.

 

This effort will provide a streamlined, guided, and supportive digital application process that makes it easier for families to apply for scholarships. We’re keeping equity and inclusion top of mind and as a result, reducing paperwork and improving connection and communication. If a family cannot apply online, paper applications will still be available so that Early Learning Scholarships are available to as many families as possible, regardless of potential technical barriers.

 

As of January 30, 2024 if you live in one of the pilot regions, please navigate to your Area Administrator’s website to apply online.

 

 

If you are a foster care case worker who serves one or more of the pilot regions (2, 4, 5, as well as the White Earth and Leech Lake Tribal Communities), you can now use the online Pathway I Early Learning Scholarship application link to apply and manage scholarships. If you have existing children with Early Learning Scholarships on your caseload, you will receive a welcome email with instructions when it is time to create your account.

 

The online application is a slimmed-down version of the paper application used in the past, and only displays the relevant pieces that foster care workers need to complete the application and upload required documents. Going forward, correspondence with your Area Administrator will primarily be managed via email, including notices of award, renewal, status updates, etc. If you have any questions, please view this Foster Care Online Application Flyer and the Early Learning Scholarships Hub Training: Pathway I Pilot for Foster Care Case Workers that will walk you through the online application process, or contact your Area Administrator.