Child Care Assistance

Minnesota’s student population includes many parents who need affordable, quality child care in order to continue their education at a college or university.  The Minnesota Higher Education Services Office (MHESO) administers the Post-secondary Child Care Grant Program.  It allocates funds to eligible colleges, which then select and make awards to students.

• Student Eligibility
• Award Calculation
• Disbursement
• Renewal
• Child Care Tax Credit
• More Information
• Child Care Grant Application
  • 2006-2007 (pdf) or at Campus Hub, CSU 117
    Instructions
• Finding and Selecting Child Care

Student Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for a child care grant under this program if you:

• Are a resident of Minnesota;
• Have a child 12 years of age or younger (14 years of age or younger if handicapped), who is receiving or will receive care on a regular basis from a licensed or legal non-licensed care giver.  (A legal non-licensed care giver is a person who is at least 18 and who cares for a child(ren) from only one other family besides his/her own);
• Meet the program’s income guidelines.
• Are not receiving AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) or MFIP (Minnesota Family Incentive Programs).  A student who receives an award from the Non-AFDC Post-Secondary Child Care Grant Program and then receives benefits from the AFDC program during the same quarter must inform the school within 10 days.  AFDC/MFIP recipients are not eligible for this program;
• Are enrolled at least half time (six or more credits) in an eligible institution;
• Have not earned a baccalaureate degree or have enrolled full time fewer than eight semesters, twelve quarters, or the equivalent;
• Are pursuing a nonsectarian program or course of study that applies to an undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate;
• Are in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress toward a degree, diploma or certificate;
• Are not receiving tuition reciprocity;
• Are not in default on any educational loan or, if in default, have made satisfactory arrangements to repay the loan with the holder of the note.
• Note: If you do not meet the above criteria, or if you need additional child care assistance, you should contact a county social service office for child care assistance from the county’s Sliding Fee program.

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Award Calculation

If you are not receiving AFDC or MFIP, you may be eligible to receive a child care grant.  The maximum award for a full-time student is $2,300 per eligible child for the year and cannot exceed the actual cost of your child care expenses.  The award calculation is based on family income, the number of eligible children, and your level of enrollment. The financial aid director has the authority to increase the maximum award by 10% for certain communities in which infant care is more costly than care for children of other ages.

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Disbursement

You will receive the child care money at the beginning of the term after the add/drop deadline or as soon as you become eligible for the funds, whichever comes first, but not before the first day of class for the term.  Child care awards will be divided evenly, and disbursed to recipients each semester based on the number of enrolled credits at the time of disbursement.  The child care award will be disbursed to you  in check form, sent to your permanent address, or by direct deposit if you have that set up with the Campus Hub.

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Renewal

A student who receives a child care award under this program and who continues to enroll at the school the following year must be given a child care award if the student remains eligible and if funds are available.  However, you must apply for a continuation of funds by August 1st.

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Child Care Tax Credit

Through the Child Care Tax Credit, you can receive credit on your state and federal taxes for dependent care expenses.  Dependents include children under the age of 13, disabled dependents, or disabled spouse.

By taking advantage of the Child Care Tax Credit, your state and federal tax bills can each be reduced $1,050 for one qualifying individual, or $2,100 for more than one qualifying individual.

The federal tax credit is available to people of all income levels.  The Minnesota tax credit is based on income. 

Even if you receive child care assistance, you may be eligible for a federal and state tax credit - but only on the portion that you have paid for out of your own pocket.

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More Information

Contact the Campus Hub, CSU 117

If you have questions about the Earned Income Tax Credit, please call the IRS at:
612-644-7515 (metro area), or
1-800-829-1049 (outside the metro area).

To find out more about Minnesota’s Working Family Credit, call the Minnesota Department of Revenue HELP Line at:
612-296-6417 (metro), or
1-800-937-KIDS (outside the metro area).

Those with hearing or communications impairments can call 1-800-627-3529 for the Minnesota Relay, and ask for (612) 296-6417.

The referral service or county social service in your area can provide more detailed information on additional financial assistance programs in your area and also may be able to supply further information on choosing child care, parenting classes, and other child care resources for parents.

Note: Tax credit information is based on policies in effect on May 1, 1996.  The U.S. Congress may make changed after this date that would change the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Working Family Credit.

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