LAS VEGAS – United Way of Southern Nevada is currently offering one-year Tuition Assistance Preschool Scholarships (TAPS) for the upcoming school year to children 3 to 5 years of age in Southern Nevada. As a part of the organization’s early education efforts, United Way is providing affordable co-pays ranging from $17.25 to $57.50 to low income families, unemployed families receiving unemployment benefits and foster families who do not receive state assistance. Scholarships are valid at any United Way partner Child Development Center.

TAPS was created to help families pay for early education, a strong factor in a child’s overall academic achievement. According to Longitudinal Studies, individuals are 17 percent more likely to graduate high school, 20 percent less likely to repeat a grade level and 19 percent less likely to be arrested in their lifetime if they have participated in preschool. In addition, early education courses assist with physical, mental and emotional development.

During tough economic times for families in Southern Nevada, United Way makes it possible for all children to have access to early education through TAPS. Without TAPS, the average family would pay approximately $7,200 for one year of preschool, averaging between $400 and $600 per month. With scholarship assistance, the program matches 50 percent of each family’s tuition needs, making monthly payments closer to $200.

Receiving the majority of the 2011-2012 education funding, TAPS and preschool education have become a main focal point for United Way. The TAPS program assists families living within the 2011 poverty guidelines who qualify for assistance. As a result of this year’s funding, 700 students will receive increased access to quality pre-kindergarten programs.

Success By 6is a United Way initiative dedicated to increasing future academic success for children ages birth to 5 years old by offering increased access to high-quality, curriculum-based preschool programs. Their goal is to decrease Nevada’s high school dropout rate and raise the states’ post-secondary education entrance and completion rate.

Additional eligibility requirements apply. Interested applicants can call (702) 892-2361 for more information on the program.

About United Way of Southern Nevada

United Way collaborates with volunteers, stakeholders and community leaders to uncover key strategies designed to develop community-based solutions to our community’s most pressing health and human service issues. Beyond quick fixes, these strategies are delivering lasting solutions, aligned with benchmarks and achievement standards, to change community conditions. For more information about southern Nevada’s most pressing needs and how United Way’s Community-based Agenda is improving lives, visit uwsn.org/connected and join United Way’s social network.