Financial Aid

Thank you for your interest in Little Star’s financial aid program. We strive to ensure that all families have access to our early learning programs, and each year our board of directors and staff work hard to raise funds to make tuition more affordable for families through the program.

Little Star provides financial aid in two ways — through our in-house program, which provides direct awards and tuition deferrals/payment plans, and by serving families receiving state subsidies through the Working Connections Childcare Program (WCCC) administered by the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). In WCCC, families receive tuition assistance directly from the state, and Little Star covers the remaining cost of tuition through our financial aid fund.

To apply in 2026, please click here for instructions.

As a general guideline, if your family makes less than $110,000 per year (for a family of four with 2 children attending Little Star) you may qualify for an award or tuition deferral plan. We recognize that income alone does not necessarily give a full picture of a family’s financial situation – If your income is above that level and you feel that you are in need of assistance, or if you have any other questions, please contact the Executive Director (brad@littlestarschool.org, or 509-996-2801). 

Financial aid awards typically range from 5% to 95% of annual tuition, and are offered as direct awards, tuition deferrals, or a mixture of both. Our tuition deferral program was created in 2019 to help shift some of the cost of tuition into future years, when your child has access to free K-12 education. People experiencing temporary financial hardships or at the upper end of the income eligibility level may be offered a deferral instead of a direct award (or a deferral/award combination).

For questions and more information, please contact us at at 509-996-2801 or brad@littlestarschool.org. If you need in-person assistance with the application process, don’t have access to a computer, or need other family support services, you can connect with our partner organization Room One at 509-997-2050.

Financial aid applications are due on April 1, 2026 for the 2026-27 school year, and awards are issued in early May. We accept applications on a rolling basis after that date, but awards are subject to the availability of funds.

“Little Star allows my husband and I to go to work worry-free, knowing that our child is in the care of loving and experienced educators.” -Little Star Financial Aid Recipient

“Little Star allows my husband and I to go to work worry-free, knowing that our child is in the care of loving and experienced educators.” -Little Star Financial Aid Recipient