Postsecondary Child Care Grant Program

The Postsecondary Child Care Grant (CCG) Program is a Minnesota state-funded initiative administered by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE). It is designed to reduce financial barriers for student parents by helping them afford child care expenses while enrolled in postsecondary education. The program supports eligible Minnesota students—both undergraduate and graduate—who are pursuing academic degrees and have dependent children requiring regular care. The goal of the CCG is to promote equitable access to higher education by providing targeted financial relief that enables parents to attend classes, work, and study while their children receive reliable child care. Applications for the Postsecondary Child Care Grant are currently open. Students interested in applying must complete the online application through the MNAid Student Portal and submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Minnesota Dream Act application for the current academic year. The application includes both a student section and a provider section, both of which must be filled out accurately and completely. Students are responsible for printing the form, having their provider complete Section B, and submitting the finalized application to their school’s financial aid office. Schools are responsible for verifying eligibility, reviewing documentation, and determining award amounts based on program criteria. To qualify, students must be Minnesota residents or have spouses who meet state residency requirements. They must be enrolled at least half-time at a participating Minnesota institution and must be the parent or legal guardian of a child aged 12 or younger—or 14 if the child has a documented disability. The child must receive care from a licensed or legal non-licensed provider, and the student must already be paying out-of-pocket child care expenses at the time of application. Students who are receiving full-time child care assistance through MFIP or other public programs (covering 40+ hours/week) are ineligible. The applicant must also be in good academic standing, not in default on student loans, and must not have exceeded ten full-time semesters of CCG funding unless granted an extension for military service or caregiving-related withdrawals. The maximum award is $6,500 per eligible child for the academic year, based on a cap of 40 hours of care per week. Awards are calculated using the CCG calculator and consider factors such as hours in care, enrollment level, student aid index (SAI), and actual out-of-pocket expenses. In some cases, students with children under 18 months of age may be eligible for a 10 percent infant care adjustment, provided the institution participates in that option and the provider documents the higher rate. Awards are prorated based on enrollment (full-time, three-quarter-time, etc.) and may be reduced if students receive other sources of child care assistance. The minimum award is $50 per semester or $33 per quarter, and funds are subject to availability. CCG funds may be disbursed either directly to the student or to the child care provider, typically 3–5 weeks after the start of the academic term. Because the program is funded annually, students must reapply each year and must be prepared to cover child care expenses independently until awards are processed. Schools maintain priority policies for awarding funds, with returning students given first consideration when funds are limited. In cases where demand exceeds availability, students may be placed on a waitlist. If additional funding becomes available, schools must follow documented waitlist procedures for retroactive or mid-year awards. Institutions are also responsible for ensuring compliance with state program rules, performing provider verification, maintaining detailed records for audit purposes, and reporting application and award data to OHE. Students must notify their financial aid office within 10 days of any change in provider, hours, or child care costs. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation or reduction of the grant. Misrepresentation of information can result in repayment, denial of future eligibility, and potential disciplinary or legal consequences. Through this program, Minnesota continues to support the academic advancement of student parents who are working to achieve their educational and career goals while raising young children.

Report changes within 10 days; awards contingent on funding; submit accurate provider info to avoid cancellation.