Eligibility Information for Pre-K Expansion Grant

Eligibility Information for FY27

For FY27, eligibility requirements are as follows:

Tier I
3- and 4-year-old children from families at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), as well as children experiencing homelessness, are eligible for full-day Pre-K at no cost to families. From Viola - we have to be very specific that the free pre-k cover only 6,5 h for 36 weeks of school year. Before, after school and summer time is not inculuded.

Please note:

• All children must first meet the applicable income eligibility requirements.

• Children with disabilities (CWD) and multilingual learners (MLL) must also meet income eligibility requirements for FY27, regardless of disability or multilingual learner status.

Acceptable Income Eligibility Documentation

Documentation of age and income eligibility must be verified and maintained on file for all children enrolled in grant-funded classrooms.

Examples include:

• Current tax return (1040, W-2, Schedule C/1099)

• One month of consecutive, most recent pay stubs

• Medical Assistance documentation

• Notarized employment letter

• Notarized letter of no income

• Military income verification (excluding Basic Allowance for Housing)

• Unemployment verification

• Documentation of other income (TCA letter, child support, rental income, etc.)

Note: Families of children experiencing homelessness are not required to submit income documentation for eligibility

Acceptable Age Eligibility Documentation

Children must be three or four years old by September 1, 2026.

Acceptable documentation includes:

• Birth certificate

• Valid unexpired passport (with accompanying legal or notarized identification verifying the child and parent)

• Physician certificate

• Hospital certificate (proof of live birth)

• Parent notarized affidavit (if birth certificate is unavailable)

• Baptismal or church certificate

• Birth registration or other legal/notarized proof of identity and date of birth

Additional Support and Resources

Pre-K Cost Calculator

To support programs and families in determining eligibility and estimating potential family cost share, the Maryland State Department of Education’s official Pre-K Cost Calculator is now available: https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/pages/pre-k-calc.aspx

Please note: Sliding scale eligibility applies to Blueprint Pre-K Formula Grants only. It does not apply to Pre-K Expansion Grants.

We have also included the FY26 Federal Poverty Level chart for your reference: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/4/fpl_detailed-guidelines-2026.pdf

Pre-K Intake and Eligibility Form 

Pre-K Expansion Grant Contract 2026-2027