Focus Keys:
Indiana preschool vouchers, On My Way Pre-K, preschool funding cuts, Indiana child care assistance, FSSA voucher changes, CCDF funding, early childhood education Indiana
Indiana Slashes Preschool Voucher Program: Major Changes to On My Way Pre-K in 2025
Over 60% Cut in Preschool Voucher Enrollment
Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is reducing enrollment in the On My Way Pre-K voucher program by more than 60% for the 2025-2026 school year.
📉 Enrollment Drop: From 6,000+ students in 2024-2025 to just 2,500 eligible children in the upcoming year.
According to a recent memo from the FSSA, the changes are a result of state budget cuts and are intended to prioritize low-income families who meet stricter qualifications.
New Eligibility Requirements for Families
Parents Must Be Employed, in School, or Job Training
To qualify for preschool vouchers starting in 2025, families must meet the following requirements:
The parent or guardian must be working, enrolled in school, or participating in job training.
Job seekers no longer qualify—a significant change from previous years.
Why Indiana is Cutting Preschool Funding
Budget Cuts and Withdrawal from CCDF Co-Funding
The state has also withdrawn from Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) co-funding for On My Way Pre-K, despite being approved for federal funding in December 2024.
While CCDF funding will continue to support non-pre-K child care programs, it will no longer supplement the state’s preschool voucher initiative.
End of Pandemic-Era Support
Part of the program’s recent expansion was supported by pandemic-era federal funding, which has not been renewed by the federal government. Without that supplemental aid, Indiana is scaling back its early childhood education support.
What Parents Should Do Next
If you’re a parent seeking preschool assistance in Indiana:
Check CCDF eligibility for other types of child care help.
Review new FSSA guidelines for On My Way Pre-K.
Contact local pre-K providers to understand what options remain available.