Preschool Scholarships
At United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties, we believe that every child deserves access to high-quality early childhood education, regardless of their family’s financial situation. However, we recognize that some families fall into a gap—earning too much to qualify for Head Start but still struggling to afford preschool tuition.
To help bridge this gap, we are offering a Preschool Scholarship Program, providing partial or full funding for eligible families. Preschools in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties can apply for these funds on behalf of families who need assistance, ensuring that children receive the strong educational foundation they deserve.
This scholarship is designed to support early learning programs in our community and help more children access the critical early childhood experiences that prepare them for lifelong success. We invite preschools to apply and partner with us in making high-quality preschool education accessible for all.
Join us! Help Support Local Children!
Help local children access preschool by donating to our Preschool Scholarship Fund. Make a donation today!
Eligibility to apply:
• Must be a preschool operating In Cowlitz or Wahkiakum Counties
• Must have space available for child to start immediately
• Must be able to show over time that this child Is attending school at least 75% of school days.
Funding Process:
• Preschools submit a completed Preschool Scholarship Application Form on behalf of families in need.
• Applications must include all required documentation, including proof of income, financial need, and preschool enrollment verification.
• United Way staff will review applications for completeness and verify eligibility criteria.
• If additional information is needed, preschools will be contacted for clarification or further documentation.
• Selected applicants will be approved for funding based on available scholarship funds.
• Preschools will receive written notification of award decisions within a set timeframe.
• Families will be informed of the scholarship decision by the preschool and the next steps for enrollment.
• Scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the preschool on behalf of the awarded family.
• Preschools must submit monthly attendance reports to ensure continued scholarship eligibility.
• Payments will be made in accordance with a predetermined schedule (e.g., monthly or quarterly) to ensure continued enrollment.
• If a child withdraws or circumstances change, the preschool must notify United Way immediately to determine if funds need to be adjusted or reassigned.
• Prior to final payment of the funding cycle, preschools will be required to submit a final report outlining the impact of the scholarship on the child’s early learning experience.
• United Way will use these reports to assess program effectiveness and improve future funding processes.