Updated 8/1/2024
The University of Iowa Childcare Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students with children to assist with the cost of childcare, allowing students to better balance their academic responsibilities with family life. By providing this support, the program contributes to the overall well-being of student parents, enhances their academic experience, and reduces financial stress related to childcare costs.
The Childcare Subsidy program helps students with the cost of their ongoing childcare. This program is tailored to students who require childcare on a recurring basis to achieve their academic goals.
If you have questions about the Childcare Subsidy Program, please email Family Services or call 319-335-3558.
The application for AY24-25 is now open.
Eligibility criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
- One application per family is permitted.
- Your family/household annual gross income is $55,000 or less.
- You are currently enrolled at the University of Iowa at least part time.
- You may be enrolled at the UI less than part time if you have classes and academic responsibilities/requirements that equate to a minimum of part time. For example, you may be enrolled in one class and have an assistantship/practicum or enrolled in zero classes and working on a dissertation.
- You are currently seeking a UI degree: undergraduate, graduate, professional, master's, or Ph.D.
- The child(ren) needing care reside in your household.
- You must use a paid childcare provider. The provider can be based in a centered daycare or professional in-home daycare. You may also utilize a friend or family member who does not reside in your household and does not contribute to your household income.
- The child(ren) needing care are under 13 or are under 19 with a disability.
- The childcare provider is legally permitted to work in this country.
While not a comprehensive list, you are ineligible if you:
- Cannot log into MyUI.
- Are not currently enrolled at the UI.
- Are a post-doctoral student.
- Have a family/household annual gross income of more than $55,000.
- Are an international student who does not have a social security number.
Apply for the Childcare Subsidy
- Login to MyUI.
- Under the Student Information section, select more.
- Under Student Life Management, choose Childcare Subsidy.
You only need to apply for the program once per academic year and the application is good for the fall and spring semesters (August through May). Funding is not available during the summer semester (June/July).
- Verify all pre-populated responses are correct and accurate.
- If you will be enrolled the full academic year as a student, please select the “Fall and Spring” option.
- Please answer all questions and fields completely and accurately and remember to check “I agree” on the "Submission/Agreement" section of the application before submitting.
- After completing and submitting the online application, your Childcare Subsidy account will be set up in MyUI.
Applying for CCS
Before applying, have the following financial information available:
- Your annual gross income (total income before taxes).
- Your spouse or partner’s annual gross income.
- If you and your spouse or partner do not pool family resources, include the amount your spouse/partner contributes.
- Child support you receive for child care/household expenses.
- Alimony you receive.
- Financial resources you receive.
Application Status
You will receive an email about your application's status: approved, pending, waitlisted, or denied. You can also check your MyUI Childcare Subsidy account for the status of your application. If you have any questions about the status of your application, you should email familyservices@uiowa.edu.
Visit MyUI to:
- Learn the status of your application. (You will also receive an email confirming your application status.)
- View your subsidy allocation.
- Submit your request for reimbursement.
- Learn the status of your request for reimbursement.
Available funds
Funds Available for Childcare Expenses
The amount of funding depends upon the age of your youngest child. Please refer to the table below for allocation amounts.
| Age of Child | Allocation Amount |
|---|---|
| A child under 24 months of age | $2,000 per semester/$400 per month |
| A child 24 to 60 months of age, or too young for school/kindergarten | $1,500 per semester/$300 per month |
| A child attending kindergarten through 12 years of age, or a child with a disability up to 19 years of age who is attending school and enrolled in childcare | $650 per semester/$130 per month |
Please note: the allocation amount is based on the age of the youngest child in care, regardless of the number of children in childcare.
Submit for Reimbursement
Once you are approved for the program and allocated funds, you need to submit a reimbursement claim in order to be reimbursed for your paid childcare expenses.
When submitting the reimbursement claim, you must attach a payment receipt to be reimbursed. If your childcare provider does not provide a receipt of payment, you may use the receipt template provided below:
Receipt Templates
Receipt Template
Instructions
- You must pay for your childcare before submitting a reimbursement claim.
- Retrieve a *receipt of payment from your provider or fill out the receipt template above.
- Complete the reimbursement request form in MyUI, attach your receipt, and submit. You may need to scan the receipt to your uiowa email before completing the reimbursement request form.
- You will receive a confirmation message that your receipt was accepted by our system.
- You will be notified via email when your reimbursement is processed.
- Your payment will be deposited into your bank account or a physical check will be mailed to you at the address on your application. Please note: If you have an outstanding U-Bill balance, your childcare reimbursement will be allocated to the outstanding U-Bill balance first. You will receive any remaining reimbursement via direct deposit or check. Please contact the University Billing Office for questions related to receipts of payments.
*Acceptable forms of receipt payments include, but are not limited to:
Receipt/invoice from your childcare provider
Bank/credit card statement
Screenshot of Venmo, Cash App, or other mobile money transfer apps
Receipt book receipts
Receipt template provided by Family Services
Submitted receipts must include the following information to be reimbursed:
Vendor/provider name
Purchase date
Dollar amount
Itemized detail of expense
Payment made (must show a zero balance or a signature from the provider indicating a paid balance)
Student parents may choose to request a portion of their allotted funding, or the total allotted funding with submitted reimbursement claims. We understand needs of student parents vary and are willing to be flexible with personal preference for submitting reimbursement claims. We do request that you wait to submit a reimbursement claim until you have at least $100 in paid childcare expenses.
Allowable expenses to request reimbursement for
Allowable expenses to request for reimbursement
There is a wide range of services that qualify for reimbursement. The following are some examples, though not a complete list.
- daycare/childcare services
- before and after school services
- day camp enrollment (during spring break and other scheduled school breaks)
- extra-curricular activity enrollment
We do not reimburse for any fees associated with these services (e.g. processing fees, textbook fees, meal fees)
All services provided must be performed in conjunction of the student parent working towards their academic goals (e.g. while studying for an exam, thesis, or dissertation; during enrolled course(s) or practicum(s); group project session(s); etc.)
If you have questions about whether a service or activity qualifies as an acceptable reimbursement, please contact family-services@uiowa.edu.
Deadline for Submitting Receipts
- For the fall semester, you may submit paid childcare expenses that occur between Aug. 1-Dec. 31. The deadline to submit receipts of payment for the fall semester is the second Friday in December or the Friday before finals week.
- For the spring semester, you may submit paid childcare expenses that occur between Jan. 1-May 31. The deadline to submit receipts of payment for the spring semester is the first Friday in May or the Friday before finals week.
We cannot grant exceptions beyond the semester deadlines. If you do not request your funding by the dates listed above for each semester, you will lose the remaining balance of your childcare subsidy.
We strongly urge all students to use direct deposit for security reasons and to expedite payment. Make sure your banking information is current when applying for direct deposit.
Set up Direct Deposit
Instructions
- Login to MyUI and select Financial Aid & Billing on the menu bar.
- Select Bank Information-Refund Account.
- Enter your bank information.
Taxable Income Information
Childcare subsidy funds may be considered taxable income based on an individual student's facts and circumstances. For additional guidance, review the taxable income information or seek assistance from a qualified tax advisor.
Definition of Terms or Phrases on the Childcare Subsidy Application
Household or Family Income/Financial Resources
Household or Family Income is the annual income your household earns before taxes or other deductions. Financial Resources are financial gifts/contributions and/or payments for assistance with rent, food, auto, clothing, schooling, etc. Examples of sources of the financial gifts/contributions and/or payments are:
- Family/relatives, friends, or employer contributions.
- Child support/alimony.
- SNAP food assistance or other financial federal/state assistance.
It does not include scholarships, fellowships, or loans.
Total Credit Hours
The number of hours the student is enrolled. This can include enrolled classes, practicum/internships, dissertation or thesis work, or preparing for comprehensive examinations.
Gross Salary
The total annual earned income during the institution’s fiscal year, July 1-June 30. Gross salary means before taxes or any other deductions are taken out.
Federal Financial Aid or Federal Loans
Financial assistance for U.S. students provided through the U.S. Department of Education. See the Office of Student Financial Aid website for more information.
Pell Grants
Federal, need-based grants awarded to the U.S. students who are considered to be in financial need. The student completes the FAFSA to determine eligibility. Only undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree are eligible. See the Office of Student Financial Aid website for more information.