Pre-Kindergarten Eligibility

Students experiencing homelessness are eligible for free public prekindergarten. 

Found in TEC §29.153 (b), a child must be:

• at least three years of age** on or before September 1 of the current school year or four years of age on or before September 1 of the current school year; AND
• is homeless, as defined by 42 USC, §11434a, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or other person having lawful control of the child.

**Prekindergarten for 3-year-olds is a local educational agency decision.

NOTE: A student is eligible on the basis of homelessness if local educational agency’s homeless education liaison identifies the student as homeless, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child’s guardian or other person having lawful control of the child.  The term “homeless child,” as used in the prekindergarten statute, the TEC, §29.153(b)(3), is also defined by 42 USC, §11434a.

For questions, reach out to the Early Childhood Education Support Portal: Early Childhood Education Support Portal.