Family Applications Being Accepted For On My Way Pre-K

INDIANAPOLIS – Applications for Indiana's pre-k pilot program are now available.

Indiana’s Office of Early Education and Out-of-School Learning announced Wednesday that it is accepting applications from families who may be eligible for On My Way Pre-K grants in the first four pilot counties.

Children eligible for the first phase of the pilot will include 4-year-olds living in Allen, Lake, Marion or Vanderburgh Counties who will start kindergarten in the fall of 2015. Jackson County is also part of the pilot and will become operational later in 2015.

Families must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply:

• The family must have an income below 127 percent of the federal poverty level (See income eligibility guide here),
• The family must reside in Allen, Lake, Marion or Vanderburgh Counties, and
• The child must be 4 years old and starting kindergarten in August 2015.

Applications will be accepted until Dec. 15. If more families qualify than there are grants available, awards will be made through a randomized lottery process. This lottery will be held on or around Dec. 17, and families will be notified if they receive a grant.

Once a child has received a grant, parents may choose from any of the eligible, enrolled On My Way Pre-K programs.  OECOSL is currently enrolling high-quality programs which are either top-ranked at level 3 or level 4 on Paths to QUALITY or are accredited by an approved national or regional accrediting body. 

A list of approved pre-K providers will be made available in December and posted online.  Families who need help finding an approved pre-K program can also call 1-800-299-1627 for assistance from an early learning referral specialist.

To apply in Allen County click here.
To apply in Lake County click here.
To apply in Marion County click here.
To apply in Vanderburgh County click here.

For instructions on how to complete the application click here.