Is My Child Eligible?
| Program | Eligibility | Requirements | Waitlist |
|
NC Pre-K |
Targeted to families that earn at or below 75% State Median Income* |
Must meet income eligibility. |
Family meets 75% State Median Income, but no |
|
Title I |
Academic based – |
Must apply by the Title I deadline, complete a developmental screening, and show academic need. |
The academic need of applicant child is lower than other applicant children. |
|
Head Start |
Income based – |
Must meet income eligibility. |
Over income, but has at least one of the following: |
Placement is not guaranteed
In order to apply to Wake Pre-K, your child must be:
- 4 years old on or before August 31
- A resident of Wake County
NC Pre-K and Head Start are prioritized for families with low incomes and other related eligibility requirements listed below. Title I is based on academic need, not income. When your application is processed, your child will be considered for the program that best matches your family based on this criteria.
Other factors that may be used to determine if your child is eligible include:
- Living in household with low income* – Below is the criteria for NC Pre-K as a guide:
- Concerns from a doctor about health or learning issues
- Having an IEP (Individualized Education Program)
- Parent or legal guardian of the child is an active-duty member of the military or was seriously injured
or killed while on active duty - Speaking a language other than English at home
NC Pre-K Income Eligibility
Income Eligibility for NC Pre-K Program is determined by family size and gross income
| Familiy Size | 75% State Median Income |
| 1 | $41,050 |
| 2 | $53,681 |
| 3 | $66,312 |
| 4 | $78,943 |
| 5 | $91,574 |
| 6 | $104,204 |
| 7 | $106,573 |
| 8 | $108,941 |
| 9 | $111,309 |
| 10 | $113,678 |
| 11 | $116,046 |
| 12 | $118,414 |
| Effective: January 1, 2024
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 American Communities Survey (ACS) 1-year Estimates Released: October 19, 2023 |
|