Scholarship Information
Transforming our community requires partnership. At Apple Playschools we believe in asking openly for support when we need it and giving generously to others when we can. Through our scholarship program, both donors and scholarship recipients embody inclusion and innovation to make a more equitable world.
Your family may qualify for an Apple Playschools scholarship if:
❋ Your household income is below:
$108,200 for a household size of two.
$136,600 for a household size of three.
$165,000 for a household size of four.
❋ Childcare costs are more than 25% of your family's household income.
❋ Your family is experiencing acute hardship or temporary challenges that make it difficult for you to afford child care.
❋ Priority is given to previous scholarship recipients, and families making below or around the median income in Washtenaw County or $89,000
Where do I start?
If your family might qualify for DHHS Subsidy and the family support program- submit those applications FIRST.
*You do not need an answer to apply for an AP scholarship, but it is good to start this process ASAP
1
Gather information about your household income, expenses, etc. including tax returns and pay stubs and your Apple Playschools contract, or desired contract.
2
Complete the online application
*If there are caregivers in your family living in multiple households, they all need to complete the application.
3
The committee reviews applications typically once a month.
4
Hear about your award and sign your award letter.
5
6
Come to school!
Good to Know:
Is there a fee to apply?
The application fee is $60, but families can request a voucher from Maria Rios (mariarios@appleplayschools.org) to offset that cost. Families need to have this voucher ready before submitting their application.
How much will I be awarded?
Most scholarships cover 20–30% of tuition. Some families may qualify for up to 50%.
I think my family makes too much money to receive a scholarship, should I still apply?
We generally consider applications from any household falling at or below 500% above the Federal Poverty Level. You can view your family's income level on this table to get an idea of which bracket your family is in.
Already getting help from DHHS Subsidy? You can use both.
Families who qualify for a DHHS Subsidy can combine it with one of our scholarships — you don't have to choose one or the other.
Apply for DHHS Subsidy first if you think you might qualify.
You don't need to have applied to other assistance programs to apply with us. But if you think you might qualify for DHHS Subsidy, start that process before applying here — it takes longer to get an answer than our scholarship does.
Here's why it helps: our scholarships are designed to fill the gap, not fully cover tuition. If you already know your DHHS Subsidy approval amount, our committee can quickly see exactly how much more you need.
How it works:
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The committee meets once a year (late summer/early fall) to award scholarships. Applications submitted after that are reviewed on a rolling basis, usually within a month.
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No — funds are limited. Scholarships help cover part of your childcare cost, not the full amount, and funding isn't guaranteed until the committee approves it.
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Families who qualify for a DHHS subsidy can combine it with one of our scholarships — you don't have to choose one or the other.
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Yes — you can adjust your contract to match your award up to two times a year with no fee.
Scholarships are typically awarded on a percentage, so if you reduce your contract, your approved scholarship will also be reduced (unless you have received a special approval from the committee).
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You won't need to pay the Annual Registration Fee, Early Termination Deposit, or ½-month tuition payment.
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Yes. Your information stays confidential within Apple Playschools. It's only reviewed by the Executive Director, Operations Director, and Scholarship Committee/Board members as needed to process your award. All scholarship requests are anonymized for the committee to support a fair and objective award process.
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You'll follow the policies outlined in the Family Handbook & Policy Manual.
If you have applied for a DHHS Subsidy, you will need to fully complete the process to utilize your award or your family will be responsible for any balance between the Apple Playschools scholarship and the total tuition amount.
Tuition Assistance Programs We Utilize:
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Provided by Apple Playschools to families with a household income <500% above poverty level or paying >20% of household income to child care, and those experiencing acute financial hardship.
The Apple Playschools’ Scholarship Program uses funds raised from donors and philanthropic grants to offset the costs of tuition for qualifying families. Funds are disbursed based on availability of funding, classroom openings, and the number of eligible applicants in any given school year. Eligibility guidelines are reviewed regularly and include household income and tuition as a percent of household income. Applications are typically reviewed during enrollment season each spring, and then are accepted and reviewed on a quarterly basis as needed by our scholarship committee. Any family needing assistance with child care costs is encouraged to apply.
See Application Instructions Above
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Many children who turn four-years-old by September 1 in any given school year.
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Families with a household income <200% above poverty level who meet work or education requirements; families fostering children, families receiving other forms of government assistance.
Apple Playschools accepts Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Child Development and Care (MDHHS CDC) subsidy-eligible children. To receive this assistance, you must first apply through MI Bridges. Families may be eligible for help covering child care costs if you:
have a qualifying income level (find out more with theEligibility Calculator)
need child care while engaged in an approved activity such as work, high school completion/GED classes, or adult basic education courses such as English as a Second Language (ESL)
are a licensed foster parent requesting care for foster children
are a member of an MDHHS protective services case with a treatment plan
are participating in the Family Independence Program and have a required work activity
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Families needing assistance with care costs while working, going to school, attending a job training program, seeking employment, experiencing a life-crisis situation, or grandparents raising grandchildren.
The Child Care Network Family Support Programprovides support to a wide variety of families. Generally speaking, eligible families:
Must be working, going to school, attending a job training program, seeking employment, experiencing a life-crisis situation, or grandparents raising grandchildren.
Must have children ages birth-14 years.
Must meet income guidelines.
Eligibility may vary based on funding requirements, so all who need assistance are encouraged to apply.
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Families with participating employers and household income <350% above poverty level.
Families making between 200% and 325% percent of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify forTri-Share if their employer is enrolled in the program. Tri-Share allows employers to share the cost of their employee’s child care as an employment benefit. Contact the Washtenaw County Tri-Share Hub and search participating employers here. If you would like to invite your employer to participate in the program, contact the list listed Hub Contact, or reach out to our Executive Director who can make an introduction: Etta Heisler, etta@appleplayschools.org.
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50% discount for regular Apple Playschools employees.
All employees, except substitutes, who work a regularly-assigned schedule, are eligible to receive a 50% tuition benefit or utilize the Tri-Share program to share child care costs with Apple Playschools.Please contact the Operations Director for more information about this benefit, eligibility, and enrollment availability.
Help us share the impact of the Scholarship Program.
We love hearing from families like yours.
Share how this scholarship has made an impact — your story might be featured in future reports and updates.