Early Learning Scholarships Pathway II

Early Learning Scholarships Pathway II is sponsored by Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Provides funding for early learning scholarships for families, benefiting children's early development and access to quality care.

Early Learning Scholarships: Applying for Pathway II Funding | Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families Help safeguard tax dollars. Report suspicious activity . Early Learning Scholarships: Applying for Pathway II Funding Early Learning Scholarships are either awarded directly to the family ( Pathway I ) or to Parent Aware Four-Star Rated programs (Pathway II) through a bi-annual funding application process.

Eligible programs for Pathway II Parent Aware Four-Star Rated programs can apply for Pathway II funding. Eligible programs include: School-based preschool programs Licensed child care centers Licensed family child care programs Funding is distributed equitably by geography and program type, with poverty concentration as a key consideration.

To receive funding, a program must currently serve children eligible for Early Learning Scholarships or have eligible children on their wait list. Has your program been awarded Pathway II funding? Pathway II funds should be used to increase access.

Increasing access should be thought of as reducing barriers for participation in programs and includes: Filling gaps in payment remaining after Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) payments have been applied Providing specific services to support individual children’s access Programs may also use funding to maintain previous increases to access.

Pathway II scholarships must be used in accordance with the plan submitted to the state, or a formally amended current version of that plan. Pathway II funding is awarded statewide in a biannual process aligned to the state biennium. Applications are available in the spring of odd years, and awards are for a two-year funding period beginning July 1 of odd years.

The most recent application period for Pathway II ended in March 2025 for fiscal year 2026–27 awards. The next Pathway II application period will open in spring 2027.

Policy manuals and guidance State Early Learning Scholarships Policy Manual (PDF) : Documents policy, procedure and process for the state Early Learning Scholarships program Supplemental Guide for Priority Populations (PDF) : Supports Early Learning Scholarships implementation for children in priority populations 2023 Program Updates (PDF) : Summarizes changes passed in the 2023 Legislative Session for the Early Learning Scholarships program If your program has been awarded Pathway II funding, please visit our Resources for Awardees webpage.

For questions about Early Learning Scholarships overall, including policy clarifications, contact DCYF. ELScholarships@state. mn.

us For questions about Pathway II, contact DCYF. PathwayII@state. mn.

us For questions about the Early Learning Scholarship Administration System (ELSA), contact DCYF. ELSA@state. mn.

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