Published November 18, 2008
Written by Grace Chen
Many community college students juggle various personal responsibilities along with their academic requirements. Specifically, many community college students have young children and/or families to care for and support. With this serious duty, community colleges are implementing programs to offer support for their student-parents.
Community Colleges and Financial Support
Depending upon each student’s needs and family dynamic, the federal government provides various student-parents with financial aid, grants, and support. As Wake Tech Community College explains, one of the federal grants available for students with children is the “Child Care Grant.” Students with children who are in high need may be eligible for this grant, as this resource benefits students with assistance, such as “a student's full daycare cost for a maximum of two children and up to $650 per child per month at any licensed in-home or daycare facility in (the) County.” Essentially, as long as students of the community college adhere to the day care regulations and guidelines, the Child Care Grant will cover up to $650 worth of child care services.
Am I Eligible for the Child Care Grant?
As Wake Tech explains, “Funds for the Child Care Grant are limited and eligibility standards will be strictly observed. Students with the greatest need will be served first.” According to reports, the status of a student’s eligibility is determined by three factors: first, priority goes to single parents; secondly, priority goes to those who are married with children and who are returning to school; thirdly, those who are eligible based on their income, as students who make a certain amount of money each year may not be eligible for any grants and/or financial aid.
As aid and grants are given to student-parents based on the priority of each student’s needs, students / families who make a specific maximum amount of money each year are ineligible. For example, as Wake Tech Community College reveals, the maximum annual income allowed increases with each household’s family size, and examples include family sizes with maximum yearly incomes such as:
- Single household / $22,704.00
- Two person household / $29,700.00
- Three person household / $36,684.00
- Four person household / $43,668.00
How Do I Apply for Aid and Grants?
For parents interested in receiving child care aid from the government, students can simply fill out a free form on the Federal Student Aid website. Or, for additional support, students can meet with their community college advisor / counselor. With assistance, counselors can help student-parents take advantage of any potentially available opportunities for added financial assistance.
Community College and Child Care Facilities
In addition to aids and grants, student-parents can also take advantage of unique community college child care facilities. Available at many community college campuses, these facilities are often affordable options for parents.
Monroe Community College (MCC)
Providing students with open hours from 7 am to 5:30pm, Monroe Community College’s Day Care center has been uniquely designed to allow children to “enjoy a variety of activities in the classroom, in one of our outdoor play yards; and in our gym. He or she will participate in field trips, both on and off campus.”
Adding to this, MCC asserts that to help parents feel confident in their day care facility, the center will help parents feel “welcome, knowledgeable and comfortable with our program.” Specifically, as MCC provides parents with information on their mission statement, MCC asserts: “We believe that children’s healthy physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and creative development is supported through a partnership with families. We are dedicated to affirming strong attachments between children, families, and caregivers.”
The cost of MCC’s Child Care services range depending upon each child’s age and the number of hours each week that he or she needs care. Generally, costs range from just $100 to $200 per week, as the price is significantly marked down for MCC students.
Colby Community College (CCC)
Providing parents with inclusive support, Colby Community College provides students with children with completely free child care services. According to CCC, the child care services are paid for by various associations and organizations. As a result, students are able to attend school without having to worry about the costs to care for their children. As CCC explains, they are able to provide “quality day care,” as they are also able to “help support child care providers with professional opportunities as well as information on becoming a child care provider.”
If you are a community college student who is also a parent, you can find federal and campus-specific programs designed to provide you with childcare – helping you to focus and excel in your academic studies.
References:
Colby Community College, available at http://www.colbycc.edu/?m=8&s=435
Financial Aid Services, available at http://www.fafsa.com/Forms/Ajax/FAFSA/fafsa.aspx
Monroe Community College, available at http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/childcr/
Wake Tech Community College, “Child Care Grant,” available at http://financialaid.waketech.edu/childcare-grant.php
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