If you are a UMass student (undergraduate or graduate) caring for a dependent child and need help paying for child care (including daycare, before/after school, school vacation care, summer care, and informal child care) you should consider applying for a child care subsidy.

Graduate student employees may also apply to the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) for child care subsidies. See here for more information about benefits for GEO eligible graduate student employee benefits.

Student Parent Programs child care subsidies:

Student Parent Programs (SPP) offers child care subsidies to income-eligible undergraduate and graduate students with a dependent child. Submit your application by 10/4/24 to be considered for Fall 2024 funding. Applications received after 10/4/24 will be considered for Spring 2025 funding.

To qualify for Student Parent Programs administered child care subsidies, student parents must be actively enrolled at UMass Amherst as an undergraduate or graduate student on a part-time or full-time basis and must meet the income eligibility criteria for program participants - similar to Pell grant income qualifications, determined through Financial Aid Services or via tax returns and other income verification documentation. 

To apply:

1. Complete a general application in Academic Works here (if you have already filled out a general application for the 2024-2025 year you can skip this step)

2. THEN complete our Student Parent Programs Child Care Subsidy Application.

NOTE: Graduate Student Government child care subsidies are distributed to graduate student applicants through Student Parent Programs. Graduate students must complete a Student Parent Programs child care subsidy application (link above) to be eligible for GSG child care funding. This funding IS NOT the same as GEO child care subsidies - see below for links to child care benefits for GEO members.

Eligible child care expenses for Student Parent Programs child care subsidies:

• state-licensed and accredited (or equivalent) infant, toddler, or preschool care in center-based and home-based settings
• before and after school care
• licensed summer programs and school vacation care
• organizational/center based extracurricular activities (during school breaks and summer vacation)
• Family, Friends, and Neighbor informal care or babysitting when needed by the family due to health concerns, temporary loss of licensed child care, daycare closures, school vacations/breaks, or when work or academic schedules do nor align with licensed child care options (i.e. night classes and labs, etc). (informal care is not eligible for CCAMPIS funding)

Please note that subsidies for babysitting and FFN care are for temporary or emergency coverage. The majority of SPP funding for child care subsidies is restricted to care provided by licensed and accredited providers as per federal funding restrictions.

CCAMPIS @ UMass: CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School) is a Department of Education funded program that can pay up to 75% of participants' child care expenses directly to the student's eligible child care provider. Eligible CCAMPIS child care providers include MA licensed and accredited providers. CCAMPIS offers participants access to other support and resources to help students stay focused on their educational goals. Applying for CCAMPIS is easy and follows the same application process as our other child care subsidies. See above for application details.

Other child care subsidies for graduate student parents:

Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) Health and Welfare Trust Fund

The Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) child care subsidy program provides subsidies for school-age dependent care to income eligible UMass graduate student employees working in a GEO-eligible position. The GEO Health and Welfare Trust child care subsidy is administered by the UAW/UMass Health & Welfare Trust Fund. For the most up to date information and to answer any questions please contact geo@external.umass.edu.

Information about non-university based sources of funding for child care

MA Income Eligible Child Care Voucher 

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) provides child care financial assistance for families in need. In order to be eligible for funding, you and your family must meet certain requirements. You may be placed on waiting list if funding is not immediately available.

If you are interested in applying for financial assistance, call Mass 211 or contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency. If funding is available, you will receive a notice in the mail that asks you to schedule an appointment with your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency.  At this appointment you will complete an application and provide documents that verify your eligibility for child care financial assistance.  

Group Child Care Centers & Out of School Time Programs

Many group child care centers and out of school time programs receive Department of Early Education and Care funding to help parents with the cost of child care for eligible families. Some may also have independent scholarships, United Way funding or discounts for Military Families.  As you call the programs to ask if they have an opening for your child, also ask if they have scholarships, financial aid, or other funding to help pay for the care.

Head Start Programs - see here for more information about MA Head Start

Head start is a federally funded program with full and/or part time hours that serve preschool-age children and their families.  Many Head Start programs also provide Early Head Start, which serves infants, toddlers, pregnant women and their families who have incomes below the federal poverty level.  Head Start programs provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families, which include health, nutrition, social services and other services determined to be necessary by family needs assessments.