Paying for Preschool
Preschool can be expensive. We are here to help.
Select a topic below to learn about various financial aid and scholarship options to help pay for preschool. Some of these are offered through Centennial Preschool and others through your county of residence.
Types of Financial Aid
- Sliding Fee Scale
- Early Learning Scholarships
- Head Start
- Child Care Assistance
- How to Apply for Financial Aid with Centennial Preschool
Sliding Fee Scale
Centennial Preschool receives limited funding from the state of Minnesota to support early learners. Because of this funding we are able to offer a sliding fee scale for tuition based on household size and income. Each scale has a corresponding percentage discount on tuition as noted on the chart below. Families must qualify for a reduced rate and submit supporting documentation of income after submitting their preschool registration. Please note that students who are 5 years old prior to September 1 are not eligible for the sliding fee scale. Funds to support the sliding fee scale are limited, so not all qualifying families will receive assistance. Here are the scales for the 24-25 school year:
| Annual Household Income (before taxes) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household Size | no discount | 25% discount | 50% discount | 75% discount |
| 2 | $36,482+ | $30,566-$36,481 | $25,636-$30,565 | $0-$25,635 |
| 3 | $45,991+ | $38,533-$45,990 | $32,318-$38,532 | $0-$32,317 |
| 4 | $55,500+ | $46,500-$55,499 | $39,000-$46,499 | $0-$38,999 |
| 5 | $65,009+ | $54,467-$65,008 | $45,682-$54,466 | $0-$45,681 |
| 6 | $74,518+ | $62,434-$74,517 | $52,364-$62,433 | $0-$52,363 |
| 7 | $84,027+ | $70,401-$84,026 | $59,046-$70,400 | $0-$59,045 |
* Household size is the number of adults and children living together who share income and expenses. For example, a roommate who pays monthly rent is not a household member. A grandparent who lives with the family and may or may not help pay for monthly expenses is a household member.
Household income is calculated by adding together the gross income of all household members who contribute to household expenses. For example, a teenager's part-time job would not be included if they keep the money earned for their personal expenses. If a live-in grandparent gives the family their social security payments to help the family pay bills, that income would be included in the household income.
Gross income is the amount earned before any deductions. This number should be drawn from your most recent tax return or W-2 form(s) from your employer(s).
Early Learning Scholarships
An Early Learning Scholarship can help your child attend a high-quality early education program like Centennial Preschool to help your child get ready for kindergarten. As with the sliding fee scale, students who are 5 years old prior to September 1 are not eligible for Pathway scholarships.
Pathway I
Pathway I scholarships are awarded directly to families who meet eligibility requirements. Children ages birth to 4 can receive scholarships for daycare or preschool expenses.
You may use your scholarship at any eligible child care or early education program in Minnesota with a Parent Aware Rating. Pathway I Scholarships “follow the child” and can be used at another eligible program.
You can apply before you know where your child will attend preschool or daycare. The Pathway I application is online in multiple languages.
Pathway II
Pathway II scholarship funds are awarded directly to Centennial Preschool from the Minnesota Department of Education.
The scholarship must be used at Centennial Preschool and funding stays with our program to support other children if your child leaves. The maximum award covers a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule.
Families who register for preschool and qualify for a scholarship will be contacted to apply for Pathway II. Contact our office with any questions.
School Readiness Plus/Voluntary Pre-K
Available only at our Centennial Elementary classroom, this state program provides free tuition for qualifying students attending on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule.
Families who register for this location and schedule will be contacted if they are eligible. Contact our office with any questions.
Head Start
Head Start is a federally-funded, free program offering preschool for children age 3-5 from families that participate in certain public assistance programs, are a foster family, are experiencing homelessness, or are living at or below the federal poverty level. Nearby locations are in Coon Rapids, Forest Lake, and Fridley. (Centennial Preschool is not a Head Start location.) There is an extensive application process, but children may start class at any time during the year once they are approved. Apply through your county of residence:
Child Care Assistance
Your county offers funding to pay for the cost of full-time day care. Many daycares offer a preschool curriculum as part of their program. Co-pays may be required depending on family income. You can apply for child care assistance along with other assistance programs. Centennial Preschool cannot accept this assistance for tuition, though it can be used to pay for Pre-K Kids Club before/after school care.
How to Apply for Financial Aid with Centennial Preschool
Complete an online registration for Centennial Preschool. There will be a question asking whether you will need financial aid. Eligibility for financial aid is based on household size and income. See Sliding Fee Scale above for a chart showing the gross household income ranges needed to qualify for financial aid.
Income documentation is required before aid can be approved. To apply for aid, please send EITHER of the following documents for each adult who contributes to household income:
- most recent tax return: 1040, 1040A, or 1040-NR (without attachments/schedules)
- most recent W-2 forms
If your tax return includes the income for all members of the household (for example, a married couple filing jointly), we only need one copy of the return. If you do not have any of these documents, please call our office at 763-792-6120 to discuss alternatives for income verification. If you anticipate significant changes in your income for the coming year, there is an opportunity in the preschool registration process to give more information.
Please send documents by mail or fax:
- Mail or in person to Centennial Preschool, 575 Birch Street, Lino Lakes, MN 55014. Our office hours are Monday-Friday 8 am-4 pm.
- Fax to 763-392-7743
- Email: Our email system is not secure for sending sensitive information. If you must send your tax document by email, please cover social security numbers.
If you have other questions about financial aid, please contact Centennial Preschool coordinator Sara Ison at 763-792-6122 or sison@isd12.org.