MUSCATINE, Iowa — United Way Muscatine County’s education initiative, Aligned Impact Muscatine County (AIM), is now accepting applications for Preschool Tuition/Transportation Scholarships to support families with young children in accessing high-quality early education.
These scholarships are available to families residing in Muscatine County with children ages three, four, and seven who are not attending kindergarten, and whose household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The goal is to ensure more children enter school ready to learn by removing financial barriers to quality preschool programs.
“We know that early learning experiences shape a child’s future success in school and life,” said Yesenia Cruz, Children’s Funding Coordinator for AIM at United Way Muscatine County. “These scholarships help ensure that cost doesn’t prevent families from giving their children a strong start.”
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and up to $120 per child per month will be awarded toward preschool tuition until available funds are exhausted. Last year, this initiative supported eight students with preschool tuition and 13 students with transportation, increasing access for families with limited resources.
Eligibility Requirements
- To qualify, families must meet the following criteria:
- Live in Muscatine County
- Have a child who is three- to five-years-old and not in kindergarten
- Provide proof of income showing household income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level
Applicants must submit a complete application and income documentation through the online form available here: Apply for Preschool Tuition Scholarship
Families who are unable to provide certain documents or who have questions are encouraged to contact Yesenia Cruz at yesenia@unitedwaymuscatine.org or call 563-265-1659.
High-Quality Preschool Requirement
- Only preschool programs located in Muscatine County and meeting high-quality standards will be eligible to receive scholarship funding on behalf of students. Programs must:
- Be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), or
- Meet Head Start Performance Standards, or
- Be verified for Iowa’s Quality Preschool Program Standards (QPPS), or
- Participate in Iowa Quality 4 Kids (IQ4K)
Programs must also:
- Use research or evidence-based curriculum
- Assess each child’s development with validated tools, such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)
- Sign an agreement with United Way acknowledging the program’s compliance with scholarship requirements
United Way Muscatine County, through its education initiative, AIM, is dedicated to improving educational outcomes through strategic, data-driven solutions. United Way Muscatine County believes every child deserves a strong foundation, and preschool access is a critical part of that promise.
To learn more about the Preschool Scholarship Program or to apply, visit the application link above or contact Yesenia Cruz directly. Applications are open starting today and will remain open until funds are fully allocated.
About United Way Muscatine County: United Way Muscatine County is a nonprofit organization with a mission to mobilize resources to empower the greater Muscatine community to improve the lives of people in need. Through partnerships with local organizations, United Way Muscatine County focuses on increasing household independence through education and housing. The organization mobilizes volunteers, donors, and advocates to make a lasting difference across the whole county.
About Aligned Impact Muscatine County: Aligned Impact Muscatine County (AIM) is a cradle-to-career collective impact initiative of United Way Muscatine County that partners with over 35 organizations to align community resources and identify effective practices for implementation to reduce achievement gaps and improve outcomes for all students and families.