What to bring to your Enrollment Appointment:

Your photo ID
Pertinent legal documents; i.e. parenting plan, restraining order.
Income Verification (Tax Return, W2, Social Security Statements, Check Stubs, TANF Statement, Foster Care Verification, Homeless Verification, Child Support)
If you do not have a tax return and/or W2, we are required to verify 12 months of income.
Your child’s Birth Certificate
Your child’s Shot Record
If your child has a diagnosed disability, please bring in any verifying documents (IEP, IFSP, information from your child’s doctor, etc.)

We will begin taking applications for the 2024-2025 school year on April 1st. We are still taking applications for 2023-2024 school year waiting list.

How does Head Start determine eligibility?

Head Start enrollment is based on the needs of participating families. The “Family Size Income Guidelines” shown below are established annually by the U.S. Government. At least 90% of Head Start families must have income equal to or below 130%. Before over-income families can be accepted, Head Start must offer available enrollment slots to income-eligible families. Income requirements are not as stringent for children with special needs. Children who are experiencing homelessness, are currently in foster care, or households receiving TANF or SSI are automatically eligible for Head Start.

2023 Poverty Guidelines

Persons in Family / Household	Poverty Guideline 100%	130%
1	13,590	17,667
2	18,310	23,803
3	23,030	29,939
4	27,750	36,075
5	32,470	42,211
6	37,190	48,347
7	41,910	54,483
8	46,630	60,619

Add 4,540 for each additional family member.

Children must turn three (3) before September 10th of the school year for which the family is applying. Five (5) year-old’s may attend Head Start if they are too young to attend kindergarten.

Children with special needs are often accepted into our program regardless of the family’s income. You can fill out the form below to reach out to our Enrollment Director.

Happy child in classroom at heads start Billings and Lockwood Montana

How does enrollment work?

Download our enrollment infographic for a step-by-step guide to the enrollment process at Head Start.

Download Enrollment Infographic

Contact the Enrollment Coordinator

If you have questions or need assistance completing the application, email us at enrollment@billingsheadstart.org or give us a call at (406) 245-7233 — menu option ‘5’.