International Students: Daycare Support Options Explored

International students who are also parents may be eligible for financial assistance with daycare costs, depending on their location and the policies of their educational institution. In the United States, for example, international students may be able to access federal or state-level financial support, or assistance from their college or university. This could include grants, scholarships, or subsidies, and eligibility criteria may include income level, marital status, and the age of the child.

Child Care Subsidy at the University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers financial assistance for child care to help students with young, dependent children cover the costs of licensed child care. This is known as the Child Care Subsidy. To be eligible, students must meet several criteria, including demonstrating financial need and meeting the university's definition of Satisfactory Academic Progress.

To apply for the Child Care Subsidy, students must submit a Child Care Subsidy Application. International students should not complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) but should instead refer to the relevant section on the website. The Office of Financial Aid calculates eligibility based on the student's Child Care Subsidy Application and the FAFSA or International Student Financial Data. The calculation takes into account factors such as earnings, investments, and other financial aid received.

The amount of the Child Care Subsidy awarded is based on the student's financial need, the number of children, their child care expenses, and available funding. Students can also apply for the Child Care Tuition Grant, which is determined by family size and income. If a student is eligible for both the Child Care Subsidy and the Child Care Tuition Grant, their award will be adjusted accordingly.

The University of Michigan also provides resources to help students find child care options, including state databases of licensed child care programs, the U-M Children's Centers, Campus Child Care Homes, and backup care options. Additionally, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program offers health and nutrition support for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children, including nutrition education and counseling.

Child Care Subsidy at NYU

NYU offers a childcare subsidy to eligible full-time graduate students (except for those in the School of Medicine) to assist with childcare services. The Division of Student Affairs provides financial assistance of up to $300 per semester to help students with the cost of childcare for children under the age of 6. The credit is usually disbursed to the student's Bursar account in December for the Fall semester and in May for the Spring semester.

To apply for the childcare subsidy, students must complete an online application form and upload a valid copy of their child's birth certificate by the semester deadline. The birth certificate must clearly indicate the enrolled student's name, the child's name, and the child's birthday. Late submissions of birth certificates will not be accepted. Additionally, students can find their enrolment status on Albert, and for any queries, they can contact their academic advisor.

Local 2110 members at NYU are also eligible for various family supports, discounts, and resources through Bright Horizons, NYU's back-up care provider. NYU sponsors membership to the Carefully app, which helps the NYU parenting community build a network of trusted parents. NYU also organises several family events in New York City.

Although I could not find explicit information regarding international students, the criteria mentioned above are the only ones listed for eligibility for the childcare subsidy at NYU. It is advisable to contact NYU's student support services or the financial aid office for more detailed information regarding your specific situation.

International students should not complete the FAFSA

International students are not eligible for federal student aid in the US, and therefore should not complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. FAFSA is a form that US students can fill out to access grants, scholarships, student loans, or work-study funds. However, international students can explore other options to fund their education.

FAFSA is only available to US citizens and eligible non-citizens. Eligible non-citizens must fall under one of the following categories: be a US national (including natives of American Samoa or Swains Island), or be a US permanent resident with a Form I-551, I-151 (Permanent Resident Card, Resident Alien Card, or Alien Registration Receipt Card), also known as a "green card". They may also have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US.

International students cannot receive aid from the US government and need a Social Security Number (SSN) to apply for FAFSA. However, international students can still apply for other scholarships and grants. While FAFSA is not one of them, it is advised that international students fill out the FAFSA form as it is used to determine their eligibility for other US state and university scholarships.

Additionally, international students may qualify for certain types of merit or need-based aid. They can also consider private international student loans, which may offer cosigned loan options. Local nonprofit organizations and individual childcare providers may also offer fee assistance or scholarships. International students can also compare the financial aid offers from different colleges, as these may vary based on accommodation decisions and other factors.

Childcare assistance at the University of Toronto

The University of Toronto offers several options for childcare assistance to support its students, staff, and faculty members with children. Here is a detailed overview of childcare assistance at the University of Toronto:

On-Campus Child Care Centres

The University of Toronto has on-campus child care centres that are licensed by the Province of Ontario and give priority to children from university families. These centres are staffed by professionally qualified early childhood educators and are separately incorporated as non-profits. The centres offer full-time and part-time care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. It is recommended that you apply early, as the waiting lists for these centres are typically long, with a wait time of 1-1.5 years or more.

The Early Learning Centre (ELC)

The ELC is a department of the University of Toronto with a priority to enrol children of university students, staff, and faculty. It is based on an inclusive, bias-free philosophy, aiming to foster a sense of belonging, well-being, engagement, and expression. The ELC offers infant programs at the Glen Morris location and toddler and preschool programs at all locations.

N'sheemaehn Child Care Centre

Located at the UTSC, nestled in the woods, the N'sheemaehn Child Care Centre provides early education and care for 54 children. It offers a professional, nurturing, stimulating, and safe environment, focusing on daily learning through play. The centre has separate waitlists for its infant, toddler, and preschool programs, with priority given to current families, U of T families, and community members.

Campus Community Cooperative Day Care Centre

The Campus Community Cooperative Day Care Centre, located on the St. George campus, provides a warm and supportive community atmosphere that encourages diversity, inclusivity, cooperation, and transparency. It offers programming for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Back-Up Child Care and Babysitting

The University of Toronto's Family Care Office maintains a listing of babysitters available to current students, post-docs, and their partners. The office can be contacted via email, phone, or by visiting their on-campus office. Additionally, the university provides options for reliable babysitting and last-minute back-up child care to support families' needs on short notice.

Childcare grants from the federal government

The US federal government provides grants for childcare to ensure that children are provided with all the support and assistance they need. The US Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for administering the funding, which is funnelled down from the federal level to local and state-level agencies. These agencies then provide financial assistance to families with low incomes to help pay for childcare so that they can work or attend school.

There are several programs that offer childcare grants from the federal government. One such program is the Child Care Certificate Program, which assists Families First participants, parents transitioning off Families First, parents working or enrolled in post-secondary education programs, teen parents, and children in foster care. To participate in this program, families must be declared eligible by the Department of Human Services (TDHS) or the Department of Children's Services (DCS) for children in foster care. TDHS provides financial assistance through several child care assistance programs, with eligibility based on income guidelines.

Another source of childcare grants is through local nonprofit organizations and individual childcare providers, who may offer fee assistance or scholarships. Some providers also offer discounts, such as a sibling discount for families enrolling multiple children. Additionally, there are specific programs for military families to help them pay for childcare, regardless of where they are stationed.

To find out more about childcare grants and financial assistance programs, you can visit Childcare.gov. This website provides information on various programs, including Head Start and Early Head Start, which offer services to support children's early learning, development, and mental well-being. Additionally, you can search for childcare providers in your area that accept childcare payment assistance through the "Find Child Care" page on the Childcare.gov website.

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