Enroll at the CEEC

Enrollment is offered on a space available basis, in the order of date of application according to the enrollment priorities listed below. Families may apply for enrollment and be placed on the waiting list with a confirmed pregnancy. Need for tuition assistance is verified at the time of enrollment based on household size and income. When program enrollment is filled, applicants for enrollment are placed on a waiting list.

There are four categories of affiliation that are considered for enrollment eligibility. The child’s parent or legal guardian, or spouse/domestic partner of the parent or legal guardian must be a member of one of the following affiliation categories:

1. University affiliated (undergraduate student, graduate student, or employee)
2. UMass Amherst alumni
3. Five College or U.S. Fish and Wildlife affiliated
4. The community at large

Within the above affiliation categories, enrollment is prioritized in the following order:

1. Sibling of currently enrolled children
2. Previously enrolled child whose parent/guardian is on leave from university work or study, returning within six (6) months
3. University undergraduate student, graduate student, and employees
4. UMass Amherst alumni
5. Five College students and employees and U.S. Fish and Wildlife employees
6. Community at large

Student-Parent Families

Single student-parents and two student-parent families receive enrollment priority if they meet income eligibility. Offers of enrollment are made in order of the date of application. For current income guidelines to determine eligibility, please contact the Manager of Personnel and Enrollment.

Parents are contacted by email and telephone when an enrollment space is available. At that time, both child and parents will be invited to visit the classroom where there is an opening. Program information will be provided at this visit.

A copy of the latest edition of the program’s Family Handbook is available here, on our website, so that families can review Center policies and procedures. To request a paper copy, please contact the CEEC Office.

Parents will be given two (2) business days to provide CEEC with their enrollment decision. Parents may decline an offer of enrollment one time and still remain on the waiting list.

Upon acceptance of an offer of enrollment, the parent(s) will meet with the Manager of Personnel and Enrollment Services to sign the Offer/Acceptance Letter and pay the deposit. At that time, parents are given a packet of enrollment forms for their child. The Manager of Personnel and Enrollment Services reviews each form with the family. All completed enrollment forms must be submitted prior to the child’s first day of attendance.

A deposit is required to secure a child's initial enrollment. The deposit will be held for forty-eight (48) hours in case of a change in a family’s enrollment decision. The deposit will be credited towards the family’s last month’s bill.  If a family gives less than four weeks written notice when withdrawing from the program, the deposit will be forfeited.

1. Check or Cash Payment

Parents are charged a weekly fee and billed on a monthly basis via invoices or bi-weekly through payroll deduction. Monthly tuition can be paid by check, cash, or money order and are due the first day of each month.

Bills are sent home to parents in advance of the payment date in their child’s belongings. An alternative payment schedule or payment plan may be arranged by contacting the CEEC Office Supervisor. Parents make check or cash payments at the university Bursar’s Office in person or by mail.

• In person: the Bursar's Office is located on the second floor of Whitmore and is open 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or as posted. Save the stamped receipt as proof of payment, especially if you pay in cash.
• By mail: Bursar's Office, 215 Whitmore Administration Building, 181 Presidents Dr., University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003. Enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope so that the stamped receipt may be returned to you as proof of payment.

2. Payroll Deduction Payment

Parents receiving a university paycheck are encouraged to pay childcare tuition via weekly payroll deduction. A payroll deduction form is completed at the time of enrollment. Changes to the payroll deduction amount are processed by the Enrollment Assistant.

Standard Rates

*Rates subject to change without notice.

Student Subsidy

The University subsidizes tuition for undergraduate and graduate students who qualify according to income guidelines in the below chart. These limits are based on the Massachusetts Early Education and Care assistance parent co-payment table and are set forth as per the agreement between UMass and GEO. Income guidelines may change without notice.

Late Payment Fee

Payment of tuition is due on the first day of each month. A $25 late payment fee is assessed for payments received ten days after the due date. Two late payments during a semester may result in administrative withdrawal from the university and/or withdrawal from the program.

A new period of enrollment may not begin until payment of the previous period of enrollment is made.

An administrative withdrawal from the university is instituted for all student parents ending a semester with unpaid fees.

Credit bureau notification is initiated in the case of all other parents who have unpaid tuition or fees when they withdraw their child from the program. Parents are liable for collection or associated costs that may be incurred.