### Question
How does the law define school-age children?


### Answer
Under *42 U.S.C. § 9877*, **school-age children** is defined as:

> children aged five through thirteen, except that in any State in which by State law children at an earlier age are provided free public education, the age provided in State law shall be substituted for age five

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 9877*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 105-COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS > SUBCHAPTER IV-GRANTS TO STATES FOR PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAMS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES**

