Start-Up Grant Cycles, Timelines, and Projected Funding
The Wisconsin State Budget enacted in 2008 included $3 million for 4-year-old kindergarten start-up grants starting July 1, 2008. In the 2009 budget cycle, Joint Finance retained funding for Cycle 1 but reduced the total funding for Cycle 2 start-up grants to $1.5 million. The 2023-2025 Biennial Budget currently proposed approximately $1.3 million for continuation of the grants.
4K Start-Up Grants are only available to SCHOOL DISTRICTS that do not yet have a district 4K program. Grants are awarded by formula, based on enrollment in 4K programs. The grant program designates first-year funding of up to $3,000 and second year funding of up to $1,500 for each pupil enrolled in the approved 4-year-old kindergarten program. If the funds are insufficient to pay full funding for all eligible pupils, the law requires the PI to prorate the payments to school districts. Funding is based on audited child count data. Therefore, final funding is not known until June of each grant year. The DPI provides preliminary estimates of funding in July and November.
2023-2024 Grant Application Period is now Open. Applications are due on June 15, 2023.
2023-2024 4 Year Old Kindergarten Start-Up Grant Application
WI State Statute and Administrative Rules:
WI Administrative Rules: State Grant Programs