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. 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. 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
School/College/Dept Support
Health Professions Student Emergency Support Fund
The Health Professions Student Emergency Support Fund (HPSEF) assists health professions students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) who are facing unexpected financial emergencies that could disrupt their education. Examples of emergencies funded by HPSEF include accidents, illness, death of a family member, fire damage or theft.
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.
Cap & Gown Regalia Scholarship
Annual scholarship to cover the costs of cap and gown rentals – closes March 30.
Elizabeth S. Hirschfelder Endowment for Physics
The purpose of this fund to assist graduate students in Physics at UW-Madison. The award has been given in the past for travel to professional conferences, assistance with childcare expenses or other expenses related to attaining an advanced degree.