Great Start Preschool Scholarship Program

Applying for the Great Start Preschool Scholarship Program

Requirements

 Reside within Shiawassee RESD geographical boundaries and have a child or children of preschool age

 The child must be 3 to 4 years of age by December 1st

 Meet income requirements

Application

There are many ways in which to apply.  You may submit our online interest form linked here or you may connect with any of our 12 Great Start Readiness Program preschool locations to arrange a pickup or drop off of this same application. All sites use the same application. Consideration of applications begins March 1st, scholarships are awarded after June 30th.

Great Start Preschool Investment Foundation

Research suggests that for every $1 invested in Early Childcare Education $7 can be saved in the long-term through reduced costs associated with remedial education, criminal justice, and welfare payments.

Our vision is to create a sustainable funding source for preschool assistance to ensure that all children in Shiawassee County have a Great Start!  The purpose of the Great Start Shiawassee Preschool Investment Foundation is to assist low to moderate-income families in Shiawassee County with tuition expenses associated with preschool.

Our priority is to increase access to high-quality preschool for families otherwise unable to send their children to preschool.  We want to increase school readiness in high-quality, nurturing learning environments.  Access to high-quality preschool is a challenge for many families in our community due to financial hardship. Since 2004, over 500 children have received assistance to attend preschool.  It is our desire that every child in Shiawassee County has a great start on their road to school success. 

Your help is needed to provide continued tuition assistance to families in our county seeking a preschool opportunity for their child.  Call the Great Start Shiawassee Hub at 989-725-2581 to support the Great Start Preschool Investment Foundation. 

Thank you to the Cook Family Foundation, Kiwanis, Shiawassee RESD and United Way of Genesee County for financial support.
49 Great Start Scholarships were received in 2022-2023, 30 were awarded, 19 are on waiting list.

 

 

 

Join Us!

  • 5 Apr
    • Parenting Now 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      Parenting Now
      Date: Apr 5
      Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Bentley Elementary School, 1375 W North St, Owosso, MI 48867, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee

      Parenting is the most important & challenging job there is. As part of your child's pre-k experience, we are excited to offer this 4-week course. It will give you the tools to build positive, enjoyable & healthy relationships with your children, providing them with a solid foundation as they grow. Open to parents of children in Bentley's Great Start classrooms, limited to 12 families.


      Host: Bentley Bright Beginnings 1375 W. North Street, Owosso, Michigan 48867


      April 5 April 12April 19April 26Every Wednesday5:30-7:30 pm

  • 17 Apr
    • Making Parenting a Pleasure
      Date: Apr 17
      Time: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
      Location: Early Childhood Learning Center, 114 W North St, Owosso, MI 48867, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee
      Make Parenting a Pleasure (MPAP) is a training program that promotes family resilience by bringing parents together to share and normalize their parenting experiences, learn about typical early childhood development and parenting strategies, develop a support network, and learn about other community resources available to them.

      Register at

      https://bit.ly/3ZVxmmc

      Topics include 

      • Self care
      • Stress
      • Anger management
      • Communication skills
      • Positive discipline
      • Support emotional development
      • ...much more!
  • 20 Apr
    • Great Start Parent Coalition Meeting- Picky Eaters
      Date: Apr 20
      Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: 114 W North St, Owosso, MI 48867, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee
      RSVP by clicking here.

      Join us for our monthly parent coalition meeting, all are welcome!  Dinner and tot watch provided!  Come meet other parents and learn a few things while you are here!
  • 24 Apr
    • Making Parenting a Pleasure
      Date: Apr 24
      Time: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
      Location: Early Childhood Learning Center, 114 W North St, Owosso, MI 48867, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee
      Make Parenting a Pleasure (MPAP) is a training program that promotes family resilience by bringing parents together to share and normalize their parenting experiences, learn about typical early childhood development and parenting strategies, develop a support network, and learn about other community resources available to them.

      Register at

      https://bit.ly/3ZVxmmc

      Topics include 

      • Self care
      • Stress
      • Anger management
      • Communication skills
      • Positive discipline
      • Support emotional development
      • ...much more!
  • 1 May
    • Making Parenting a Pleasure
      Date: May 1
      Time: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
      Location: Early Childhood Learning Center, 114 W North St, Owosso, MI 48867, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee
      Make Parenting a Pleasure (MPAP) is a training program that promotes family resilience by bringing parents together to share and normalize their parenting experiences, learn about typical early childhood development and parenting strategies, develop a support network, and learn about other community resources available to them.

      Register at

      https://bit.ly/3ZVxmmc

      Topics include 

      • Self care
      • Stress
      • Anger management
      • Communication skills
      • Positive discipline
      • Support emotional development
      • ...much more!

A hero doesn’t necessarily have to wear a cape and tights, maybe a hero speaks up for what’s right. Maybe that hero could be you. If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, you can submit a confidential tip to OK2SAY. OK2SAY allows anyone to confidentially report tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at Michigan students, school employees, or schools. Protect yourself and others by using OK2SAY. Because if you won’t, who will?

Confidential Reporting Link