The scholarships, which are expected to average about $8,000 per year, provide families with financial support to help pay for high-quality early childhood education for 3- and 4-year-old children. Qualifying families will receive help paying for and choosing a Parent Aware quality-rated early childhood education program.
The scholarships are available to families who live within the geographic boundaries of the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood – a 250-block area between Pierce Butler Route and Selby Avenue, Rice Street and Lexington Parkway – and meet income and other criteria. Families must have an income below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which is slightly more than $46,000 for a family of four.
Applications are distributed by the organization Think Small. Interested families should call Think Small at 651-641-6604 for an application.
Children who participate in high-quality early childhood education are more likely to be ready for kindergarten. Over the years, research has shown that a child's chances for success are significantly increased when high-quality early childhood education is a factor.
The Promise Neighborhood Early Learning Scholarships are made possible with funds provided in part by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal funding CFDA 84.412A -Federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant.
