Thirty-five states and Puerto Rico have applied for the new U.S. Department of Education Preschool Development Grants to help states build or expand high quality pre-K programs. States are competing for a share of the $250 million in funding for the new grants. Several states that did not issue a formal “Intent to Apply” earlier this fall ended up submitting final applications.

States applying for Preschool Development Grants ($80 million) for new or small pre-K programs:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Hawaii
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • Puerto Rico

States applying for Expansion Grants ($160 million) for existing pre-K programs:

  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington

Grants are expected to be announced by the Department by the end of this year. Read more at Education Week.