Many parents will be asked to pay a one-time Investment Fee when they enroll their children in LAUP-funded half-day preschool. This fee will defray some of the costs of the LAUP program and help make it sustainable for years and 4-year-olds to come.

The Parent Investment Fee for each LAUP preschool is based on the median family income in that preschool's neighborhood. It is a progressive sliding scale that reflects the ability to pay of an average family in that neighborhood.

LAUP understands, though that not all families are average and does not want the Investment Fee to constitute a barrier to participation. Families with low incomes or special circumstances can appeal directly to LAUP to have the Investment Fee waived or reduced.

• Parent Investment Fee Waiver Form

In addition, the Investment Fee is automatically waived for many families, including:

• Parents of children receiving child care subsidies from public funds;
• Parents of children with a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP);
• Foster parents;
• Parents with children under the supervision of the Department of Children and Family Services; and
• Teen parents involved in the foster and juvenile probation systems.

Collecting the Investment Fee remains the responsibility of each individual preschool. Information about Investment Fees for specific preschools can be found by calling the preschool directly.