Help Paying for Preschool — by State

Free and low-cost preschool is more common than most parents realize: Head Start (federal, income-based), public pre-K (universal in some states, income-based in others), and childcare subsidies for working families. Pick your state to see who qualifies and check your family.

AlabamaUniversal pre-K AlaskaIncome-based pre-K ArizonaHead Start + subsidy ArkansasIncome-based pre-K CaliforniaIncome-based pre-K ColoradoUniversal pre-K ConnecticutIncome-based pre-K DelawareIncome-based pre-K District of ColumbiaUniversal pre-K FloridaUniversal pre-K GeorgiaUniversal pre-K HawaiiIncome-based pre-K IdahoHead Start + subsidy IllinoisIncome-based pre-K IndianaIncome-based pre-K IowaUniversal pre-K KansasIncome-based pre-K KentuckyIncome-based pre-K LouisianaIncome-based pre-K MaineIncome-based pre-K MarylandIncome-based pre-K MassachusettsIncome-based pre-K MichiganIncome-based pre-K MinnesotaIncome-based pre-K MississippiIncome-based pre-K MissouriIncome-based pre-K MontanaHead Start + subsidy NebraskaIncome-based pre-K NevadaIncome-based pre-K New HampshireHead Start + subsidy New JerseyIncome-based pre-K New MexicoUniversal pre-K New YorkUniversal pre-K North CarolinaIncome-based pre-K North DakotaIncome-based pre-K OhioIncome-based pre-K OklahomaUniversal pre-K OregonIncome-based pre-K PennsylvaniaIncome-based pre-K Rhode IslandIncome-based pre-K South CarolinaIncome-based pre-K South DakotaHead Start + subsidy TennesseeIncome-based pre-K TexasIncome-based pre-K UtahIncome-based pre-K VermontUniversal pre-K VirginiaIncome-based pre-K WashingtonIncome-based pre-K West VirginiaUniversal pre-K WisconsinUniversal pre-K WyomingHead Start + subsidy

How the three programs work

Head Start & Early Head Start is free, federally funded preschool for families at or below the federal poverty line (Head Start for ages 3–5, Early Head Start under 3). You also qualify regardless of income if your family is experiencing homelessness, your child is in foster care, or you receive SNAP, TANF, or SSI. The federal poverty guideline (2026) by household size — the Head Start income line — is:

Household size	Income at or below (100% FPL, 2026)
2	$21,640
3	$27,320
4	$33,000
5	$38,680
6	$44,360

Alaska and Hawaii use higher federal poverty figures. Source: HHS poverty guidelines →

Public pre-K is state-funded and varies widely — universal (open to every age-eligible 4-year-old) in states like Florida, Oklahoma, and West Virginia; income- or risk-based in most others; and absent in a few. Childcare subsidies (CCDF) help working families pay for care, infants and toddlers included, usually up to about 85% of the state median income. Pick your state above for the exact program names, income limits, and application links.