FINANCIAL AID
Child Care Tuition Assistance for our Positive Bright Start classrooms, and other community early childhood programs
Early Education Tuition Scholarship Program
Positive Bright Start supports high quality child care and recognizes that the cost of quality care is not affordable for many families. Families with low or moderate income have several options for child care assistance.
First, call the Kansas Department of Children and Families (DCF) at (785) 832-3700 to secure an application for Child Care Subsidy or access it online. (DCF application is recommended because they often can offer more funding than we can, but it is NOT required to apply for our financial aid program.)
The Positive Bright Start Early Education Tuition Scholarship (click the link to view the application) is funded by private donation, City, County, and State grants. Our Scholarship is accepted at our own Positive Bright Start classrooms, and a number of other early childhood programs in our area (pdf list) including Ballard Community Center, Children's Learning Center, Edna A Hill Child Development Center, Googols of Learning, Hilltop Child Development Center, Lawrence Community Nursery School, Little Jayhawkers Day Care, and Raintree Montessori School. This scholarship cycles from July of each year through June of the following year.
May 2021 Update:
This single scholarship now combines the locally funded scholarship with the previously used Strengthening Families Financial Aid scholarship, plus the agency scholarship for our own preschool families. Though we will still offer some assistance exclusive to our Positive Bright Start Preschool attendees, there is only one application for the pool of funds.
Applications for the 2022 - 2023 cycle will begin to be accepted on May 3rd, 2022.
Funds will be awarded according to highest need.
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As proof of income, please include a copy of the most recent tax form, that is, a copy of applicant's 1040 form. If an applicant does not file taxes or their income has dramatically changed since the filing, a letter of explanation plus two most recent, consecutive pay stubs can be substituted. There is no work requirement for applicants, but all sources of non-employment income must be listed. If you have questions about what form of supporting documents your application will require, please contact Scholarship Administrator sunday@positivebrightstart.org.
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Our scholarship is accepted by a limited number of early childhood programs in the Lawrence area. You can view the list of participating programs here.
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Like DCF funds, our scholarships are paid directly to the care provider.
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Who qualifies?
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Families earning up to 240% Federal Poverty Level
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Families who receive DCF assistance can apply for this scholarship.
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Families with enrolled students at Positive Bright Start classrooms.
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Families with a referral from a partner of the Douglas County Strengthening Families Network. (Agencies such as Centro Hispano, PBS's Family Resource Team, and other Douglas County Success by 6 partners, all listed on page 4 of the application. )
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Objectives:
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To provide a short term or long-term solution to financial hardship.
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To provide stability and social emotional support to children in families experiencing extreme hardship that may prevent them from working.
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Partial/supplemental monthly scholarships or emergency/one time assistance for our school families.
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With questions contact: Sunday Monson sunday@positivebrightstart.org or call (785) 842-9679.
To Donate to the Positive Bright Start Scholarship Fund visit our PayPal.