Child Care Tuition Assistance & Financial Resources
The Office of Child Care and Family Resources offers several child care tuition assistance programs for student parents pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree. Research associates, postdoctoral fellows, and postdoctoral trainees are not eligible for student parent financial assistance programs and should refer resources on our UW Faculty & Staff page.
Child care costs can be included in your Cost of Attendance (COA). The UW Office of Student Financial Aid can account for these costs when you submit a Budget Adjustment eForm through your Student Center.
Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP)
Students should apply here first. CCTAP is UW-Madison's main child care tuition assistance program for income-eligible students in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents (green card holders), and international students. Check if you qualify with our Eligibility Calculator!
Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS)
A federal grant available for income eligible, full-time UW student parents with young children enrolled at one of the 5 centers that accept this funding. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders). You must apply and qualify for CCTAP funding before being considered for CCAMPIS.
Hourly/Back-up Child Care
The Kids Kare program offers free or reduced rate ($5/hour) back-up child care at Little Chicks Academy Child Care Center. Students receive 50 hours of care each semester. Learn more or apply today.
State/County Child Care Funding
There are a few child care tuition assistance programs available through Madison or the State of Wisconsin, including the largest program called Wisconsin Shares. Visit this page to learn more about non-UW child care tuition assistance options that can be combined with your CCTAP funding (this will not reduce the size of your CCTAP award).
Single Parent & Returning Adult Student Scholarships
The Office of Adult and Special Student Services (ACSSS) has scholarships available for single parents and returning adult students to help with college tuition costs. Scholarship applications open each fall and apply to the following year's tuition. Students must be U.S. citizens to be eligible.
Emergency Student Parent Child Care Grant
This child care grant is available for families experiencing a crisis situation (death in the household, job loss, sudden closure of your child care provider). For urgent (but not crisis) child care needs, please see our hourly/back-up child care section