1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Early Childhood Education
  4. Educator Resources

Prekindergarten Tuition

Law

See the links below for Texas law relating to prekindergarten student tuition.

Tuition-Supported and District-Financed Prekindergarten

If a school district has 15 or more eligible 4-year-old children, it must offer a free full day of prekindergarten to those children.

A district may charge tuition to provide:

  • half-day and full-day prekindergarten classes to children who are ineligible for free prekindergarten classes; and
  • an additional half day of prekindergarten classes to those 3-year old children who are eligible for free prekindergarten classes

If a district charges tuition:

  • the tuition may not be higher than is necessary to cover the added costs of providing the additional prekindergarten classes, including any costs associated with data collection and reporting requirements; and
  • the district must submit a proposed tuition rate to the commissioner for approval annually. See the Sample Proposed Tuition Rate Letter.
  • The letter must include:
    • Proposed tuition rate
    • A brief explanation of how the proposed tuition rate relates to current district costs for providing the program
    • Assurance that the rate does not exceed current costs for providing the program

Prekindergarten Tuition Approval Process for School Year 2026-2027

  • Submit the pre-k tuition rate letter through the Early Childhood Support Portal. Select “Pre-k Tuition Rate Approval” as the topic and upload the pre-k tuition rate letter on the form.
  • The letter will be reviewed by the agency. Additional information may be requested, if needed.
  • Notification of approval will be sent to the person indicated in the proposed tuition rate letter.

Do NOT send more than one copy of your tuition request letter to the agency. If you send this letter by email, do NOT send it again by regular mail.

  Print