Sponsored by Washington University in St. Louis, the purpose of the Child Daycare Subsidy is to help PhD student families meet the costs of child daycare while they pursue their studies.
The amount of child daycare subsidy awarded to eligible applicants depends on their financial need, the number of children they have enrolled in child daycare facilities, their child daycare expenses, and available funding.
Requirements for Eligibility
To be considered for the Child Daycare Subsidy, a student should:
- Be enrolled full-time in a WashU PhD degree program at the start of the award period.
- Be the parent of a child under the age of 5, a child between 5 and 6 years old who is currently ineligible to attend kindergarten due to their date of birth, or a child with special needs under the age of 19.
- Incur child daycare expenses from a facility, center, or provider*.
- Apply for any available scholarships and aid at their chosen provider* before applying for the Washington University child daycare subsidy.
- Be making satisfactory academic progress, as defined by their school/program.
- Utilize child daycare services because you are a single student, or if married or have a partner, because your spouse or partner is either a student (enrolled full time in an undergraduate or graduate degree program) or employed outside the home for a minimum of 20 hours per week. You may be asked to attest to your spouse’s or partner’s employment or student status.
- Complete the daycare subsidy by the deadline for each semester.
*A provider may not be a student’s partner, a parent of the student, or a parent of the student’s partner.
Questions? Contact vpge@wustl.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must complete the application and submit all necessary documentation prior to the end of the term as stated on the Academic Calendar found on the Office of the University Registrar website.
No, the subsidy is applied per child.
Yes, students are required to apply each Fall or Spring term that they wish to request the subsidy.
The application will allow you to add a request for up to three children.
The maximum subsidies per Fall or Spring semester are as follows:
– One eligible child: $3,550 per semester
– Two eligible children: $4,550 per semester
– Three or more eligible children: $5,550 per semester
Please discuss this with your graduate program administrator. They will advise you on the correct process.
Yes, you can apply for and receive the subsidy at the beginning of the semester.
Eligible students will receive the subsidy through Workday.
You are encouraged to talk with your financial administrator. Likely reasons may include your adjusted gross income was too high, that the application was incomplete, or that the program your child is enrolled in does not qualify.
Please consult a tax advisor regarding your personal tax requirements.
No, the subsidy can only be applied for the cost of care related to a daycare facility, center, or provider.
No, the subsidy is only available in the Fall and Spring terms.
You must submit a signed copy of this form via email to vpge@wustl.edu before your application is reviewed.