2004/2005 Student Child Care Subsidy Program Guidelines

The Child Care Subsidy Program is designed specifically to help students pay for child care that supports their academic responsibilities.

Undergraduate Student Eligibility

1. Undergraduate students must have a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application on file with the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) for 2004/2005, be admitted to the University of Arizona and have an unmet need documented in the student aid system
2. Applicants will be ranked according to unmet financial need. Additionally, highest priority for undergraduates will be given to full time (12 credit hours or more) freshmen.

Graduate/Professional Student Eligibility

1. Graduate/professional students must have a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application on file with the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) for 2004/2005, be admitted to the University of Arizona and have an unmet need documented in the student aid system.
2. Applicants will be ranked according to unmet financial need. Graduate/professional students must be enrolled for 9 credit hours or 6 credit hours if also teaching.

Qualifying Child Care Providers

1. The provider must be a Department of Economic Security (DES) certified or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified Family Child Care Provider, DES certified relative care provider or a Department of Health Services (DHS) licensed center or group home. Exceptions are permitted only in the case of on-site before and/or after school programs sponsored by School Districts.
2. A DES certified, relative care provider may not be the parent or guardian of the child/ren, and may not live in the same home as the student.
3. Child care will be reimbursed for children, infants through age twelve.
4. No assistance will be awarded when a public school alternative is available.
5. Assistance cannot be used for providers who come to the student's home

Child Care Subsidy Process

1. Applications will be sent out by request, may be picked up at 1545 E. Helen Street, or printed off our web site: http://lifework.arizona.edu/childcare/student/subsidy/subsidy.htm
2. Child Care and Family Resources will verify student and financial aid application status. The following priority deadline date has been established for returning completed applications to our Helen Street office: Friday May 28, 2004 by 4:00 p.m., with completed Student Information System (SIS) documented registration having occurred by May 14, 2004. As with all applications, individuals submitting materials to our office after the deadline date will have them processed in accordance with the parameters described in the packet. Child Care and Family Resources accepts completed applications throughout the calendar year period.
3. Eligible students will be ranked according to unmet financial need. In the case of two UA student parents, subsidy monies will be awarded to a single individual on behalf of the family.
4. Although final award amounts have yet to be determined, academic year 2004/2005 awards are anticipated to be $500 per semester per child, excluding summer sessions. Awards for students with part-time child care needs will be less.
5. Subsidy awards are considered part of a student's financial aid package and any child care award will be included in stipend checks issued prior to fall and spring semesters. Students who are awarded subsidy monies will receive assistance in advance of completed child care services. Appropriate forms of receipt documentation and submission dates will be provided to you early in the fall and spring semesters. Students who do not comply with documentation requirements will be ineligible to receive assistance.
6. The child care subsidy is intended for child care expenses related solely to your UA student status.
7. The student Child Care Subsidy Program is funded within a July 1-June 30 fiscal year period.

The Child Care Subsidy Program is contingent upon funding. In order to best manage our limited resources and provide this subsidy equitably across the student parent population, Child Care and Family Resources cannot guarantee funding assistance for the entire school year. Submitting the forms or being determined as eligible for funding does not guarantee that you will receive funding this semester or in future semesters.