University of Wisconsin–Madison

For Students

Discover financial resources that support UW–Madison students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree in balancing their studies with family responsibilities, including child care and other essential needs. Recent graduates with postdoc appointments (Research Associates, Postdoctoral Fellow, Postdoctoral Trainee) should refer to resources on our UW Faculty & Staff page.

On This Page

UW Financial Assistance ​ ​
City & State Financial Assistance ​ ​
Additional Financial Resources ​ ​
Financial Assistance by Group ​ ​

UW Financial Assistance

Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP)

The Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP) provides financial support to UW–Madison parenting students to help cover the cost of high-quality child care while they pursue their degrees. Funded and administered by the Office of Child Care and Family Resources, CCTAP is designed to reduce barriers to academic success for parenting students and allow them to persist toward degree completion.

KidsKare: Reduced rate back-up care

The KidsKare program makes back-up child care affordable for UW–Madison faculty, staff, and students by offering reduced-rate services at Little Chicks Learning Academy. This short-term care option helps families navigate unexpected gaps in care due to illness, school closures, or other disruptions. By reducing financial barriers during these moments, KidsKare helps families stay focused on work, classes, and family.

Returning Adult Student & Single Parent Scholarships

University Special Student Services offers dedicated scholarships for nontraditional, returning adult students (those returning to college after a break or pursuing degrees later in life) during its annual application window. Among these awards is the Single Parent Scholarship, which University Special Student Services gives exclusively to student parents to support their academic and family commitments.

City & State Financial Assistance

Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program

The Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to low-income families to help cover the cost of quality child care while parents work, attend school, or participate in job training. Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, the program helps reduce financial barriers to stable employment, continued education, and family well-being.

City of Madison Child Care Tuition Assistance

Student parents not currently receiving UW CCTAP funding may be eligible for City of Madison Child Care Tuition Assistance. This program supports families whose income exceeds the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy limits but still have financial need. Applicants must reside within the City of Madison limits, use a center or family child care provider that is City of Madison-accredited, and provide proof of denial for Wisconsin Shares.

Additional Financial Resources for Students

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Students can include child care costs in their Cost of Attendance (COA). The UW Office of Student Financial Aid can account for these costs when students submit a Budget Adjustment eForm through their Student Center. For questions about increasing your COA, please speak to a UW Financial Aid Advisor.

Note on Aid Limits: Please be aware that federal student loans are subject to annual and lifetime borrowing caps. Increasing your COA allows for more aid eligibility, but it does not increase these set limits. Borrowing to cover childcare costs now may impact your remaining loan eligibility for future academic years or graduate-level programs. We recommend consulting with a UW Financial Aid Advisor to discuss how a budget adjustment fits into your long-term financial plan.

Check with your school, college, or department to inquire about short term loans or grants to students who are in need of emergency funding.

The Office of Student Financial Aid offers various types of financial aid from several sources.

The Commencement Regalia Scholarship, offered through the Office of the Chancellor, covers the cost of cap and gown rentals for eligible graduating students. Regalia is ordered on the student’s behalf through the University Bookstore, but students are responsible for returning regalia. Unfortunately, reimbursements are not available for items already rented or purchased.

The Student Parent Emergency Child Care Grant through the Office of Child Care & Family Resources offers one-time discretionary funding to full-time UW–Madison student families facing unexpected crises or family emergencies that leave them unable to afford child care. The grant is intended to provide short-term relief—applying directly to care costs in emergency situations, rather than long-term support.

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit is a federal tax benefit of up to $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17, with up to $1,700 of that amount being refundable—meaning lower-income families can receive that portion as a refund—even if they owe no federal income tax.

The Department of Defense (DoD) and Child Care Aware® of America offer financial assistance to help military and DoD civilian families access affordable, high-quality child care.

Start Here: All military families must create an account and request care at MilitaryChildCare.com to determine eligibility for most fee assistance programs.

Financial Assistance by Group

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