Is financial assistance available? Yes, but there is a limited amount of financial assistance available through the state of MN's Early Learning Scholarships for families who meet the state's criteria.
There is a question on the application process asking if your family is in need of financial assistance. Our office will reach out to families who need assistance.
The state of Minnesota has a limited amount of Early Learning Scholarships available through MDE. The Early Learning Scholarship program awards scholarships up to $7,500 to high-need families who meet eligibility requirements. A family’s income must be equal to or less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level, per the chart below, or be participating in any of the following programs: free and reduced-price lunch, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), Food Distribution on Indian Reservations, Head Start, Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Supplemental Nutritional Aid Program (SNAP), or Foster Care.
MDE prioritizes scholarship funds to first meet the needs of children of teen parents, children currently in foster care, children in need of child protective services, or those who have experienced homelessness in the last 24 months.
The chart below is based on the poverty guidelines published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2019.
Family Size |
Gross Income |
Family Size |
Gross Income |
2 |
$31,283.50 |
6 |
$63,991.50 |
3 |
$39,460.50 |
7 |
$72,168.50 |
4 |
$47,637.50 |
8 |
$80,345.50 |
5 |
$55,814.50 |
9* |
$88,522.50 |
*For family units of more than nine members, add $8,177 for each additional member.
Scholarships are available to children who are 3 or 4 years old on September 1 of the school year the scholarship is used. MDE estimates that funding will support approximately 11,000 scholarships per year, statewide, representing about 21% of the eligible children in Minnesota.