Returning to school as a parent involves more than choosing classes and paying tuition. You also need reliable child care while attending class, studying, working, or completing training.
Child care can take up a large part of a household budget. Fortunately, federal and state programs, colleges, community organizations, and financial aid resources may help some student parents manage these costs.
Here are five places to start.
1. Check Your State's Child Care Assistance Programs
Your state's child care assistance program should be one of your first stops.
The federal Child Care and Development Fund helps states, territories, and tribes provide child care assistance to eligible families with low incomes. Because programs are administered at the state or local level, eligibility rules and benefits vary.
In some programs, attending college or vocational training may count as an approved activity. Eligibility can also depend on income, family size, children's ages, and the type of child care provider.
Ask your state or local child care agency:
- Does college or vocational training qualify?
- What are the household income limits?
- Is there a waiting list?
- Will I have a copayment?
- Which providers accept assistance?
- Is evening or weekend care covered?
Apply early because funding, provider availability, or child care spaces may be limited.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' ChildCare.gov can help families identify child care assistance resources in their state.
2. Ask Your School About Child Care Resources
Colleges and training programs may offer services specifically for student parents.
Some schools operate on-campus child care centers, while others provide financial assistance or referrals to nearby providers. Space may be limited, so ask about child care while you are considering schools rather than waiting until classes begin.
Contact your school's student services or financial aid office and ask about:
- On-campus child care
- Reduced rates for students
- Child care grants or scholarships
- Emergency child care assistance
- Parenting student programs
- Referrals to local providers
Also ask whether your college participates in the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program.
CCAMPIS provides federal grants to eligible colleges to support child care services for qualifying student parents with low incomes. Students do not apply directly to the federal government for CCAMPIS funding. Instead, ask your school whether it participates and how students can access supported services.
3. Include Child Care in Your Financial Aid Planning
When planning for school, look beyond tuition and textbooks. Child care, transportation, supplies, and other expenses can affect the true cost of attending.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you are attending an eligible school or program. Depending on eligibility, federal student aid may include Federal Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, and federal student loans.
Parents should also speak with their school's financial aid office about dependent-care expenses. Under applicable federal student aid rules, certain dependent-care costs may be considered when determining a student's cost of attendance.
This does not mean your school will automatically pay your child care expenses. However, discussing your situation with the financial aid office can help you understand what resources may be available.
Also ask about scholarships and grants for:
- Parents
- Adult learners
- Students with financial need
- Students returning to school
- When comparing schools, consider child care and transportation costs along with tuition.
4. Compare Different Types of Child Care
The most affordable option will depend on your children's ages, your schedule, location, and how many hours of care you need.
Options may include:
- Licensed child care centers
- Licensed family child care homes
- On-campus child care
- Before- and after-school programs
- Head Start or Early Head Start
- Public preschool or prekindergarten
- Community or nonprofit programs
- Appropriate care from relatives
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally supported programs serving eligible young children and families. Availability and eligibility depend on local programs and individual circumstances.
For school-age children, ask your local school district about before-school, after-school, and summer programs.
Cost matters, but it should not be your only consideration. Look at safety, licensing, reliability, hours, location, staff qualifications, and scheduling flexibility.
Your state child care agency can provide information about licensing and health and safety requirements.
It is also helpful to have a backup plan in case your regular provider is unavailable.
5. Build Your School Schedule Around Child Care
Your class schedule can sometimes help reduce how much paid child care you need.
Before registering, compare options such as:
- Online classes
- Hybrid courses
- Evening or weekend classes
- Part-time enrollment
- Classes grouped on the same days
- Flexible or asynchronous courses
For example, attending classes on two or three days instead of five may reduce child care and transportation needs.
Online classes can provide flexibility, but they still require time for studying and assignments. Include study time, exams, labs, internships, clinical training, and other school responsibilities when calculating how much child care you will need.
If you also work, put your work, school, and child care schedules on one calendar. This can help identify when paid care is truly necessary.
Trusted relatives or friends may also provide occasional support when appropriate. Consider safety and reliability, as well as any rules that apply if you receive child care assistance.
Create a Child Care Plan Before Classes Start
Affordable child care can be an important part of making education possible for parents. Start researching options while comparing colleges or training programs rather than waiting until the semester begins.
Contact your state or local child care assistance agency and ask whether education or training qualifies under its rules. Check whether your school provides on-campus care, CCAMPIS-supported services, emergency assistance, or other resources for parents.
Complete the FAFSA when appropriate and talk with your financial aid office about dependent-care expenses and available grants or scholarships.
Finally, compare several child care options based on cost, safety, hours, transportation, and reliability. Build both a regular child care plan and a backup plan.
With careful planning and the right combination of resources, student parents can create a child care arrangement that better supports their education, work, and family responsibilities.