OberlinKids Preschool Scholarship

Sep 18

We Understand

Don’t qualify for most income-based scholarships because you make just a little too much and you feel preschool costs are just too high to fit in your budget? OberlinKids may have a scholarship that is just for you!

OberlinKids understands and values the importance of children having access to high-quality early learning centers. We also understand the cost of preschool can be a roadblock. To help make access to high-quality preschool more equitable and accessible to families in Oberlin, we began our Scholarship Program in 2017, thanks to a grant received from the Ohio Children's Foundation. Since then, we have expanded our resources and policies to help more families access the early care and education they need. Continuing today, we provide around $20,000 in tuition assistance each year to eligible families attending select partner early learning centers in Oberlin.

The OberlinKids Preschool Scholarship is designed to assist families who:

Are not eligible for ODJFS Publicly-Funded Childcare Subsidy, Early Childhood Education (ECE) Grants, or other financial assistance programs.
Cannot otherwise afford the cost of preschool or childcare.

Eligibility Requirements

Your child must attend a licensed, high-quality partner early childhood center (see below).
Your child must be an ACTIVE OberlinKids member by having completed the following developmental screenings within the last 6 months:
- Ages & Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3)
- Ages & Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ:SE-2)
You must submit the scholarship application in collaboration with your center's director.

Additional Considerations

Scholarship funds are limited and not guaranteed.
Priority is given to:
- Oberlin residents
- Children aged 4 – 5
- Children who have not previously attended a preschool center before entering kindergarten
Regular attendance, timely tuition payments, and income verification are required.
Scholarship agreements may not exceed 12 months. Recipients must reapply, and funds are not guaranteed to be renewed.
Short-term scholarship awards may be available to help with temporary financial situations.
Caregivers are required to contribute towards the monthly tuition; scholarships may not cover the full cost.
Scholarship funds are replenished annually through grant funding, and availability may vary each year.
Completing the application and screenings does NOT guarantee the receipt of scholarship funds.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Please talk to your center's director for more information.