Student Advocacy & CareHaving access to consistent, reliable, high-quality, and affordable childcare is a known contributor to student parent success. Having access to childcare allows students parents to miss less class time, utilize campus resources, study without interruptions, and more! Check out the campus and community childcare resources below.
The Triton Childcare Fund is funded through the US Department of Education's Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant. This grant was awarded to UMSL at the beginning of October 2018 and runs through September 2022. The Triton Childcare Fund provides eligible student parents with financial assistance for childcare costs while they attend class and persist toward earning their degree. To be eligible for the Triton Childcare Fund, students must be able to answer "yes" to all of the checked boxes below.
Are you an enrolled,
Are you either receiving a Pell Grant or are Pell Grant eligible?
Are you the parent or legal guardian of a child between the ages of six weeks and twelve years old?
Submission of this application does not guarantee Triton Childcare fund eligibility or funding. Funds are limited each semester. Please see additional details regarding the application process and program below.
The goal of the Triton Childcare Fund is to assist with childcare expenses so that student parents may successfully progress through their academic programs and remain enrolled and continue toward earning their degree. Triton Childcare Fund objectives include: increasing accessibility to affordable and high-quality childcare; increasing retention and graduation rates of student parents; enhancing cognitive, social-emotional, language, and physical development of enrolled children of student parents; building and enhancing parenting skills; and increasing student parents’ use of support services on campus and in the community. Comprehensive support will also include educational workshops, parent-child social events, assistance navigating resources, and access to discounted or free on-campus counseling sessions.
Funding is not guaranteed from one semester to the next. It is important that students understand their responsibilities and expectations as a Triton Childcare Fund recipient. Expand the topics below to understand how award amounts are calculated, childcare providers that grant funds can be used at, student responsibilities, and other requirements.
The Triton Childcare Fund covers 20-80% of daily childcare costs for a determined number of days per week. Award amounts are based on the following:
Families with the greatest
The Triton Childcare Fund can provide assistance with childcare costs at approved, off-campus childcare facilities as well. Off-campus providers must be requested and approved. In order to be approved, an off-campus provider must be licensed and willing to participate; it is also strongly preferred that they are accredited. If a center is not currently accredited, they must agree to seek accreditation within a 4-year period of agreeing to participate. If you would like to utilize an off-campus facility, complete the childcare provider request form below after completing a Triton Childcare Fund application.
Request forms do not guarantee approval. Requested providers will be reviewed thoroughly to ensure quality. Students will be notified of the approval status of their requested childcare facility. Off-campus childcare providers are subject to ongoing review. If an off-campus provider does not comply with the terms of our mutually signed agreement, we reserve the right to terminate the agreement which may result in the loss of funding for the student. The Triton Childcare Fund cannot provide assistance with existing balances.
Changes in enrollment, credit hours, or financial status may reduce or forfeit funding.
For support finding child care for young or school-aged children, you can:
You and your family may qualify for other child care subsidies, vouchers, or free child care programs. Some options in our community include: