Dear Friends and Partners,

For student parents, access to affordable, high-quality child care can mean the difference between putting their education on hold and achieving a lifelong dream. At UW–Madison, we have seen firsthand how this support transforms lives—opening doors to educational opportunities, strengthening families, and creating brighter futures for both parents and their children.

Today, I want to share an important update about a longstanding source of this support and our path forward.

UW–Madison was not selected for funding in the 2026 federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant competition. For 27 years, from 1999 through 2025, CCAMPIS provided vital federal funding that helped generations of UW–Madison student parents access high-quality child care, continue their education, and earn their degrees. This significant investment has had a lasting impact on families and our campus community.

According to information published by New America, nearly 300 colleges and universities applied for the 2026 CCAMPIS grant. Although the U.S. Department of Education initially anticipated awarding 148 grants, only 40 institutions were ultimately selected nationwide. No Wisconsin institution appeared on the published list of awardees.

This outcome is deeply disappointing, particularly after nearly three decades of meaningful support for student parent families. Yet, while this chapter of federal funding has come to an end, our commitment to the families who depend on us remains unwavering. We are focused on protecting the opportunities this program helped create and finding new ways to support student parents and their children.

Bridging the Gap

For student parents, child care is not simply another household expense. It is an essential foundation for educational opportunity, financial stability, and family well-being.

In Madison, where infant and toddler child care costs often exceed $2,000 per month, the financial challenges that student families face are significant. For many, CCAMPIS assistance made it possible to attend classes, complete assignments, and continue working toward graduation, knowing their children were safe, nurtured, and learning in high-quality early childhood programs.

With the loss of CCAMPIS funding, we must now rely more heavily on UW–Madison’s Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP) and other institutional resources. Although CCTAP remains active and continues to provide essential support, the loss of federal funding places additional pressure on our ability to meet the needs of student families.

The Lasting Impact: One Family at a Time

Behind every child care assistance award is a family with hopes, aspirations, and a story of perseverance.

Over the years, we have witnessed student parents balancing the demands of higher education with the responsibilities of raising young children. Their determination is extraordinary, but determination alone cannot overcome every financial barrier.

Our Commitment Remains Strong

Although the absence of CCAMPIS funding presents real challenges, it does not change our mission or our commitment to UW–Madison parenting students and their children.

Our team is actively exploring new funding opportunities, strengthening campus and community partnerships, and advocating for sustainable resources to help student parents remain enrolled, graduate, and achieve their goals.

We are deeply grateful for our early childhood educators, our partners, and our generous donors who have helped make this work possible. Your belief in the potential of student parents and their children has made a meaningful difference in countless lives.

As we enter this new chapter, your continued partnership and generosity matter more than ever. Together, we can help ensure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of a parent’s education or a child’s opportunity to learr, grow, and thrive.

Federal funding may change, but the dreams of our student parents, and our commitment to supporting them, remain as strong as ever.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Cigdem