Barberton Community Foundation will accept applications through August 30, 2026.
BARBERTON, Ohio – Barberton families will soon be able to apply for the Julie & Jayson Humble Bright Beginnings Preschool Scholarship, which helps families access high-quality preschool when tuition presents a financial barrier.
Applications will open July 31, 2026, and must be submitted by August 30, 2026.
The scholarship was created by Barberton High School alumnus Jayson Humble, Class of 1998, and his wife, Julie, to help children build the skills, confidence, relationships, and classroom experience they need for kindergarten and beyond.
“Early education is a powerful investment in the community,” Jayson said. “We want to provide every Barberton child with a great start.”
To be eligible, families must live in the City of Barberton, have a child between ages 3 and 5, demonstrate financial need, and enroll or plan to enroll their child in a qualifying Step Up To Quality preschool program.
Award amounts will be based on each family’s circumstances and the cost of the preschool program. The scholarship is designed to cover up to a full year of tuition, when possible, with funds paid directly to the preschool.
Results from Ohio’s Kindergarten Readiness Assessment for the 2024-2025 school year showed that 22.8 percent of Barberton children demonstrated kindergarten readiness. The assessment looks beyond letters and numbers to measure language and literacy, mathematics, physical well-being and motor development, and social foundations, including a child’s ability to manage emotions and behavior, build relationships, and engage in learning.
“The data tells us we cannot wait until kindergarten to begin investing in Barberton’s children,” said Josh Gordon, Executive Director of Barberton Community Foundation. “This scholarship gives families a practical way to access preschool earlier, giving their children time to practice following routines, managing big feelings, interacting with others, and becoming confident learners before they enter the kindergarten classroom.”
Interested families should review the scholarship Frequently Asked Questions for complete eligibility requirements, required documentation, and information about qualifying preschool programs.
Established in 1996, Barberton Community Foundation has awarded over 8,500 grants and scholarships totaling more than $109 million since its inception. The Foundation strives to improve, now and forever, the quality of life for Barberton residents by providing leadership on vital issues, fostering collaboration and creating a legacy of giving to do good. The Foundation strengthens the community for current and future generations by proactively directing its grant dollars to the community’s greatest needs. To read more about Barberton Community Foundation, visit www.barbertoncf.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/barbertoncommunityfoundation.
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