What is the Postsecondary Child Care Grant?
This grant helps Minnesota college students who have children pay for child care while they attend school. It is administered by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and awarded through participating colleges.
To qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a Minnesota resident student
- Must have a child 12 years old or younger (or a child 14 years old or younger if the child has a disability)
- Must be either an Undergraduate or Graduate student enrolled in at least 1 credit per term at a participating Minnesota School
- Has not received child care grant funds for a period of 10 semesters or the equivalent
- Students who have withdrawn for active military service after December 31, 2002 are given an extra term of eligibility
- Must not be in default on a student loan
- Must be in good academic standing and making satisfactory academic progress
- Must not be receiving full-time Child Care Assistance (40 hours or more per week)
- Must not have child care costs covered by another source (scholarship, stipend, etc.)
- Must not be a recipient of the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
- Must already be paying out-of-pocket for child care expenses at the time of application
Note: Lake Superior College may request additional documentation when processing child care grant applications. Students must submit any documentation requested. Students must also report any changes in child care arrangements (provider, hours, or rates) to the financial aid office within 10 days to keep awards accurate and avoid cancellation or denial once their application is submitted.
IMPORTANT: Full eligibility criteria are available on the Office of Higher Education—Postsecondary Child Care Grant website.
Award amount:
You can receive up to $6,500 per eligible child per academic year. The award amount depends on:
- Your Student Aid Index (SAI)
- Number of eligible children needing child care
- Your enrollment level
- Available funding
The award cannot exceed 40 hours of child care per week per eligible child.
Other:
- Funds are disbursed after the add/drop deadline or once you become eligible for the funds, but not before the first day of class.
- Awards are based on your enrolled credits.
- The student is responsible for paying the daycare provider.
- Payments are sent by Bank Mobile to the student.
Renewal
If you received this grant last year and are still eligible, you may receive it again—if funds are available. You must submit a new application each year by end of business on the fifth day of the Fall semester to be considered.
Office of Higher Education Postsecondary Child Care Grant website
