Eligibility and Application
Pre-K Eligibility Guidelines
To enter Pre-K, your child must turn 4 years old on or before September 1st.
- 2025-2026 enrollment year- children must turn four years old on or before September 1, 2025.
Your child must also meet at least one of these eligibility criteria:
- eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program; or
- receives SNAP/TANF/Medicaid benefits; or
- has limited English proficiency (eligibility is based on results of language testing scheduled and provided by Midland ISD); or
- is or has been in the care of the Department of Family and Protective Services (foster care); or
- is homeless; or
- is the child of an active duty military member, including mobilized reserves; or
- is the child of an active duty member injured or killed during military duty; or
- is the child of a peace officer, a firefighter, or an emergency medical first responder who received the Star of Texas award.
Applying for Pre-K
Complete an application for Pre-K by finding your home campus and filling out an application in person. Be sure to bring proof of your child's age and evidence your child meets the Pre-K eligibility criteria with you when you apply. Eligibility documents submitted with the application should be legitimate, current, and unexpired.
Step I: Gather Your Eligibility Documents
- Child’s Birth Certificate
- Acceptable documents include official birth certificate, adoption record, hospital birth record, baptism record, passport or other legal document that establishes child’s age and identity.
- Acceptable documents include official birth certificate, adoption record, hospital birth record, baptism record, passport or other legal document that establishes child’s age and identity.
- Proof of Eligibility
- Limited English Proficiency or Homeless
- The campus will let you know what else is needed after reviewing your application.
- The campus will let you know what else is needed after reviewing your application.
- Provide at least one these documents with the application if you want to show eligibility for Pre-K on the basis of Income, Foster Care, Military Service or Star of Texas Award status:
- Income
- Three most recent pay stubs for every adult in the household
- Three most recent pay stubs for Unemployment, Worker’s Compensation, or Disability payment for every adult in the household
- SNAP, TANF or Medicaid benefits letter. Snap Example
- IRS Form 1099 for a business owner or self-employment
- Additional Income Sources- Contact the campus if you have questions about these income sources:
- monetary compensation for services, including wages, salary, commissions or fees
- net income from non-farm self-employment
- net income from farm self-employment
- social security
- dividends or interest on savings or bonds or income from estates or trusts
- net rental income
- unemployment compensation
- government civilian employee or military retirement, or pensions or veterans payments
- private pensions or annuities
- alimony or child support payments
- regular contributions from persons not living in the household
- net royalties
- other cash income including cash amounts received or withdrawn from any source including savings, investments, trust accounts, and other resources that would be available to pay the price of a child's meal.
- Three most recent pay stubs for every adult in the household
- Foster Care- Form 2085-Foster Care, court adoption records as a result of DFPS custody or proof of DFPS conservatorship (including children returned to parents after hearing) or official letter from DFPS or court. Foster Care Example
- Military Service- Statement of Service or official letter from Commanding Officer. Do NOT attach copy of U.S. Department of Defense ID. Veterans Affairs Example
- Star of Texas Award- Star of Texas Award certificate or citation from Texas Governor’s Office.
- Income
- Limited English Proficiency or Homeless
Step II: Submit an Application at Your Home Campus
- Visit your home campus, and fill out an application.
Step III: Application Review & Notification
- Allow up to 10 business days for the campus staff to review your application and to reach out regarding next steps. Missing or expired documents can delay this process.
- You will be notified by email or phone about your application, eligibility status, and next steps in the enrollment process if your child qualifies for Pre-K.