The WOW Community Access Scholarship helps make high-quality, full-time child care more affordable for working families.As a nonprofit child care center, WOW understands that many families earn too much to qualify for public assistance but still struggle with the cost of care. This scholarship helps close that gap by reducing tuition according to household income and family size.

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How Much Assistance Is Available?

Scholarship amounts are based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL):

• Households at 201%–250% FPL may receive a 40% tuition scholarship.

• Households above 250%–300% FPL may receive a 30% tuition scholarship.

• Households above 300%–350% FPL may receive a 20% tuition scholarship.

The scholarship percentage is applied to WOW’s regular tuition rate. If tuition rates change, the family’s payment will be recalculated using the same scholarship percentage.

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Who May Apply?

Families may apply if they:

• Need full-time child care.

• Meet the household income guidelines.

• Submit the required income and household documentation.

• Do not have access to another child care funding source that must be used first.

• Meet WOW’s regular enrollment requirements.

Families who may qualify for publicly funded child care or another assistance program may be asked to apply for that program and provide WOW with its decision.

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Available Scholarship Openings

Scholarship openings are limited and depend on classroom availability. WOW initially plans to offer:

• 1 infant opening

• 10 toddler openings

• 5 preschool or prekindergarten openings

• 5 school-age openings for before- and after-school care

Submitting an application does not guarantee a scholarship or an enrollment opening.

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How the Application Process Works

1. Complete the online scholarship application.

2. Upload the requested income and household documentation.

3. The Executive Director will review the application confidentially.

4. WOW will notify the family if the application is approved, denied, or placed on a waitlist.

5. Approved families will complete a Scholarship Agreement and WOW’s regular enrollment process.

Scholarships are generally approved for up to 12 months. Families will receive renewal information approximately 11 months after approval and must reapply to continue receiving assistance.

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Information Families Must Report

Scholarship recipients must notify WOW if:

• The family begins receiving publicly funded child care or another source of tuition assistance.

• Household members change.

• Employment status changes.

• Total household income increases by 20% or more.

• Information provided in the application is no longer accurate.

A reported change does not automatically mean that a scholarship will end. WOW will review the new information and notify the family if the scholarship amount changes.

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Information for Current WOW Families

Current WOW families may apply for the scholarship however, placement for current families is dependent on new enrollment in the center. Because the program is also intended to help WOW fill currently available enrollment openings, scholarships for current families will be released as additional full-time, private-pay children enroll.

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Placement on the current-family waitlist does not guarantee an award. Scholarships will be offered according to program availability, eligibility, and WOW’s waitlist policies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as publicly funded child care?

No. The Community Access Scholarship is funded and administered by WOW. Families who may qualify for a government child care program may be required to apply for that assistance first.

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Is the scholarship only for full-time care?

Yes. Community Access Scholarships are currently available only for full-time enrollment. For school-age children, this means regularly scheduled before- and after-school care.

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How is household income verified?

Families will be asked to submit recent income documentation, such as pay stubs, employer statements, benefit statements, tax documents, or other records appropriate to their circumstances.

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Will my information remain private?

Yes. Scholarship applications and supporting documents will be reviewed confidentially by the Executive Director and used only to determine eligibility and administer the program.

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Does applying guarantee an opening?

No. Scholarships and classroom openings are limited. An eligible family may be placed on a waitlist if an appropriate opening is not immediately available.

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How long does a scholarship last?

Scholarships are generally approved for up to 12 months. Families must complete a renewal application and provide updated information to continue receiving assistance.

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What happens if my income changes?

Families must report significant changes, including an increase of 20% or more in total household income. WOW will review the updated information to determine whether the scholarship should remain the same, change, or end.

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Can I reapply if I am denied?

Yes. Families may reapply if their income, household size, employment, funding eligibility, or child care needs change.

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Can a current WOW family apply?

Yes. Current families may apply for the current-family scholarship waitlist. Awards will be made when funding and qualifying enrollment openings become available.

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

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