Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP)

Provide financial assistance to income eligible UW-Madison student parents (not UW employees or postdocs) for their child care expenses in order to :

• encourage student parents to choose consistent, high quality child care
• enable student parents to complete their degree in a timely manner
• focus attention on family and academic responsibilities

You may only receive a CCTAP award if funds are available and you are 1. income eligible  2. enrolled at UW-Madison during each semester for which you seek support (staff/postdocs are only eligible if they are also earning credits with a student status), and 3. using a licensed and/or accredited child care provider in Wisconsin. Other exceptions/minimum requirements may apply. See CCTAP Policies and Procedures and Online Eligibility/Award Calculator Funds are available on a first-come first-served basis and when program eligibility factors are met.

Students are able to determine if they meet basic eligibility requirements and view a preliminary award estimate by using the CCTAP award calculator *. To get started, log into your CCTAP Portal here. CCTAP awards are based on student/family information but the average CCTAP award covers 30-40% of child care costs per term. * If the eligibility check determines that you are ineligible, we encourage you to still submit an application for CCTAP as special circumstances may exist.

Required EACH term and available online 4-5 weeks prior to first day of regular term. Income/tax forms only need to be submitted once per academic year. * Please note: you may be applying for a new semester before the previous semester’s invoice have been submitted/processed. The application must be completed each term for which you seek assistance (and are enrolled in credits at UW-Madison). Awards are allocated to eligible applicants on a first come, first served basis while funding remains. Funding typically remains available through the first week of each term.  If application and/or required supplemental documents (including tax/income forms) are received after funding limit has been reached, applicant will be placed on a wait list and notified in the event additional funds become available. Application process is all done online. Please log into your CCTAP Portal (see top of page) to complete your application.

Finding Childcare

If you need assistance finding child care please contact Barb Douglas via e-mail or (608) 265-9123. We cannot process your CCTAP Application until you have a CONFIRMED space at an approved child care provider.

Appeals

If you are found ineligible, or if you require additional funds, you may submit an appeal through your online CCTAP account. Appeals are reviewed by the end of each application cycle (about 4 weeks into the semester) if funds remain.

Available up to 2 weeks prior to first day of regular term

Once your application has been processed and approved for funding, you will be issued a CCTAP Award Letter each term through your online account. This letter will contain the semester award amount that is allocated for your family and does not need to be returned to our office, but must be presented to your selected child care provider/s as early as possible in order to agree upon a payment plan. The preliminary award amount is based on the information you provide in your application and may be different than the final invoiced amount if that information changes. It is your responsibility to notify CCTAP staff of any changes to your provider selection, enrollment and family status as they occur.

Available 5-6 weeks prior to last day of regular term

Official invoices (provider payment forms) containing your final award amount will be available through your online CCTAP account (each term) after we are able to verify your final enrollment status each term. Your approved child care provider will need to complete this form with your total cost of care for the semester. You will then need to review the form for accuracy, sign and return to our office by the deadline. If your enrollment status changes (ex: FT to PT), your award may decrease. You must remain enrolled at least part time to receive any CCTAP award.  A confirmation email with a link to the CCTAP Survey will be sent upon receipt of your completed invoice.

Issued directly to your provider/s after invoice is processed and we are able to verify your total cost of care.

Please note: payments are sent from UW accounting directly to your child care provider approximately 3-4 weeks after we are able to process your invoice (invoiced award has been used and final credits verified). Your online CCTAP account will be updated with the invoice processing status.