Eligibility Requirements
- Age: Children birth through age 4 are eligible, and 5-year-olds are eligible if they turned 5 after September 1 of the current school year. (Children age out of eligibility if they are age 5 on September 1 or are enrolled in and attending kindergarten, whichever is earlier.)
- Address: The child resides in Minnesota (they have a Minnesota address.)
- Income: The family has a household income equal to or less than 85 percent of the State Median Income OR is receiving assistance from an approved state or federally funded program.
Income Eligibility Requirements
Your household income must be at or below the amount in this chart. This chart is based on the State Median Income and is valid for awards from July 1, 2026 through October 2026. The chart will be updated in October.
| Family Size | Annual income to be eligible
(85% State Median Income) |
Annual income to receive priority
(47% State Median Income) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $85,509 | $47,282 |
| 3 | $105,629 | $58,406 |
| 4 | $125,748 | $69,531 |
| 5 | $145,868 | $80,656 |
| 6 | $165,987 | $91,781 |
| 7 | $169,760 | $93,867 |
| 8 | $173,533 | $95,953 |
| 9 | $177,305 | $98,039 |
| 10 | $181,077 | $100,125 |
| 11 | $184,850 | $102,211 |
| 12 | $188,623 | $104,297 |
| 13 | $192,395 | $106,383 |
Priority Populations
Children receive priority status for Early Learning Scholarship funds if they meet one or more of the following criteria. Families must also meet income requirements to be eligible, unless noted below.
- Are between the ages of birth-three years old
- Are in foster care or have a parent/guardian who is in extended foster care up to age 21 (no income documentation required).
- Have been referred as in need of child protection services (no income documentation required).
- Have a parent under age 21 who is pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
- Have experienced homelessness in the last 24 months.
- Have a parent currently in jail, prison, detention center or on active supervision.
- Are in or have a parent currently in a substance use treatment program.
- Are in or have a parent currently in a mental health treatment program.
- Have experienced domestic violence.
- Currently have an individualized education program (IEP, ages 3 to 5) or an individualized family service plan(IFSP, ages birth to 3).
- Have a household income equal to or less than 47 percent of the State Median Income.
Applying for a Scholarship
Applying Online
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families now proudly presents an online application submission option:
Early Learning Scholarship Application
Applying online gives you the most control through the application process. You will be able to complete the application at your own pace as you gather documentation. After completing the application, you will be able to return to this site to view the application status. Visit getting started to begin your online application process.
Paper Application
If you prefer not to use the online service, you can complete a paper application and mail it, along with any needed supporting documentation to:
Early Learning Scholarships
Families First of Minnesota
126 Woodlake Drive SE
Rochester, MN 55904
Contact a Scholarship Administrator
888-450-2773
