Tuition Assistance Programs

Harmony Montessori School is committed to acceptance of all people from all walks of life. At Harmony Montessori we support inclusion in the classroom, diversity of children, a respect for different cultures and non-traditional family make-ups. Our goal is to provide all children with a rich education experience that will instill a lifelong love of learning. In an effort to make our program accessible to our community please see the list of tuition assistance programs below. For questions about these programs or for more information please contact us                                                         

Preschool Promise

Harmony Montessori is a qualified Preschool Promise School and we reserve 18 enrollment spaces for Preschool Promise families each year. It is a program which fully covers the cost for families to access quality education for children ages 3-4. At Harmony, Preschool Promise covers our school day schedule, 8:30am to 3:00pm, as well as all enrollment and activity fees. Please see the flyer below to see if you meet the income eligibility requirements.

To apply, go to Early Learning Multnomah to create a new account and fill out an application. Applications are available in Spanish and additional languages. Be sure to upload all the necessary documentation requested and you can select your first choice of school. Please contact our Enrollment Coordinator if you would like further information or assistance in applying for this program.

Preschool For All

Harmony Montessori is proud to serve as a pilot program for Preschool for All and have been awarded 47 enrollment spaces for the 2023-24 school year. This the second year of the program and Preschool for All plans on growing over time, increasing the number of providers and families, until it will be available to all interested families in Multnomah County.

The application portal is open for the 2024-25 school year until the end of April 2024.  It will then open again once the 2024-25 school year begins.  After the start of the school year, new applications will likely be placed on a waiting list as the majority of slots are filled.  You will be notified by Preschool For All if you have received a placement.  Click here to apply!

Eligibility:
There are just two eligibility requirements to participate. Children must:

  • Be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2024 and
  • Have a parent or legal guardian living in Multnomah County.

If you need help applying, Preschool for All Family Navigators can help you with the application process, including answering questions and helping you submit an application. Learn how to reach a Family Navigator.

Completing the application does not guarantee your child a preschool space. We encourage you to also apply for other options such as Head Start, Preschool Promise, and other programs in your area. 211 Info is a resource to help you find child care and other services for your family.

For general questions, please visit the Preschool for All website to learn more.

Employment Related Day Care (ERDC)

What is Employment Related Day Care (ERDC)?

Low income working families may be eligible for financial help with child care costs. ERDC is a subsidy program. This means eligible families still pay part of the child care cost. This amount depends on the family’s income, size, and the a​mount the child care provider charges. More information about rates and eligibility can be found on the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC)’s website. 

Who can qualify?

ODHS has a maximum amount they will pay a child care provider. If the cost of care is higher than the maximum rates, the parent is responsible for the additional costs, plus the copayment. The family pays the copayment directly to the provider. If the copayment is higher than the amount ODHS will pay, the family is not eligible f​or assistance. Each family has one copayment determined by family size and income. The copay estimate tool will help you determine how much you might pay. The following are basic guidelines that can help families determine if they might be eligible for ERDC.

How to Apply

To become eligible for child care assistance you must complete an ERDC application form. This process can be completed without coming into the office. The application can be mailed to a local office and an interview conducted over the phone.

Also see: What happens after ERDC is approved

Children’s Fund – Tuition Assistance

The mission of the Harmony Montessori Children’s Fund is to make a Montessori education accessible to all children, especially from culturally diverse backgrounds or income-based hardship. 

The Children’s Fund provides tuition assistance for children who:

  • Identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color and/or first generation Immigrants and Refugees who do not speak English as a first language
  • Family income is between 200-250% of Federal Poverty Level
  • Currently Enrolled at Harmony Montessori School
  • Experiencing Hardship (short or long term)

The Children’s Fund is intended to support families and increase accessibility to Montessori Education to children of the Global Majority and those who are historically unable to access early childhood education.

To Qualify, a child must first be enrolled at Harmony and then an application for the Children’s Fund can be shared.  Please schedule a tour if you are interested in learning more about enrollment!