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 resources on our UW Faculty & Staff page.
UW Financial Assistance
Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP)
The Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP) at UW-Madison provides financial support to student parents 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 student families.
Student Parent Emergency Child Care Grant
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.
Returning Adult Student & Single Parent Scholarships
Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS) 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 ACSSS 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 City of Madison-accredited center or Satellite accredited family provider, and provide proof of denial for Wisconsin Shares.
Additional Financial Resources for Students
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Cost of Attendance (COA) Adjustment
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 Sarah Doebereiner, sdoebereiner@wisc.edu.
School/College Emergency Support
Check with your school, college, or department to inquire about short term loans or grants to students who are in need of emergency funding.
Office of Student Financial Aid
The Office of Student Financial Aid offers various types of financial aid from several sources.
Cap & Gown Regalia Scholarship
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.
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.
Child Tax Credit
The Child 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.
Financial Support for Military Family Child Care
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.
Key Child Care Financial Resources:
- Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) Fee Assistance: A subsidy program for eligible families who cannot access on-base care due to waitlists or location.
- Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS): An expansion of MCCYN in select states (currently not available in Wisconsin) that includes non-accredited, quality-rated community providers.
- Child Care in Your Home (CCYH) Pilot Program: Fee assistance for full-time, in-home child care (30–60 hours/week) for families with non-traditional schedules.
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA): Allows eligible military and DoD civilian families to set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax earnings for dependent care expenses.
- Respite Care Programs: Hourly, no-cost care programs for eligible families with unique needs (e.g., deployment, special needs).