Early Learning Scholarships

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is pleased to announce that the Early Learning Scholarships Program is available for all Minnesota families!

Early Learning Scholarships Pathway I

High-quality early learning ensures our children enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life.

Pathway I scholarships are awarded directly to families who meet eligibility requirements. Families must have a child ages three or four as of September 1 of the current school year, meet income guidelines and other eligibility requirements outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.165.
Pathway I scholarships 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, 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.

In order to be eligible to receive a Pathway I Early Learning Scholarship on behalf of Families First of Minnesota, a child must live in one of the following counties:

Region 9 – Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca and Watonwan
Region 7E – Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine and Mille Lacs
Metro West – Carver, Scott and Dakota
Region 10 – Dodge, Freeborn, Fillmore, Mower, Houston, Olmsted, Goodhue, Rice, Steele, Winona and Wabasha

For families living in all other Minnesota Counties not served by Families First of Minnesota, call 1-888-291-9811.