Early Learning Scholarships

Eligibility

To be eligible for a scholarship, children must be aged birth to 4 as of September 1 of the current school year and not yet attending kindergarten. The family must also have an income of 85% or less (before taxes) than the State Median Income, as outlined in the chart below. 

Families with income at or below 47% of the State Median Income will be given priority, as well as families receiving assistance from an approved state or federally funded program.

Approved state or federally funded programs include:

• Free and reduced-price meals
• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
• Head Start
• Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
• Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Foster care
• Child protection

By creating an account on the Early Learning Scholarships Hub, you can upload required documents, receive email updates, check the status of your application, apply for other children in your household and renew when it's time.

If you prefer a paper application, contact your local Area Administrator.

How scholarship prioritization works

Early Learning Scholarships are awarded based on two things: your household income and whether your child meets one or more priority categories.

First, scholarships go to families with the lowest incomes. Within each income group, children who meet a priority category are considered first. 

Priority categories

Your child is considered a priority if they:

• Are between the ages of birth–3
• Are in foster care or have a parent/guardian who is in extended foster care up to age 21
• Have been referred as in need of child protective services
• Have a parent under age 21 who is pursuing a high school diploma or GED
• Have experienced homelessness in the last 24 months
• Have an incarcerated parent
• Are in, or have a parent in, a substance use treatment program
• Are in, or have a parent in, a mental health treatment program
• Have experienced domestic violence
• Currently have an individualized education program (IEP, ages 3–5) or an individualized family service plan (IFSP, ages birth–3)

All priority categories are treated equally.

Order scholarships are awarded

1. Families with income at or below 47% of the State Median Income (SMI) whose child meets at least one priority category
2. Families with income at or below 47% SMI whose child does not meet a priority category
3. Families with incomes between 47–85% SMI whose child meets at least one priority category
4. Families with incomes between 47–85% SMI whose child does not meet a priority category 

Review the Supplemental Guide for Priority Populations for more information.

Frequently asked questions