When the General Assembly convenes for the 2017 legislative session, expanding state funded pre-K will be a top priority.

Some believe every child in the state should attend pre-k on the state's dime, others think the focus should be on low-income families.

In 2014, Pence stopped the Indiana Department of Education from applying for an $80 million grant that would have established a similar system.

Allen, Jackson, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh counties are the pilot areas for the On My Way Pre-K program. To be eligible, families must have an income that is 127 percent below the federal poverty line. The child must also be 4 years old by Aug. 1. Applications are due March 5.