The Childcare Assistance Program is designed to assist UW Seattle Campus students in covering the costs of licensed childcare for their children (up to 12 years old) while enrolled in an eligible program of study. This award is funded by Services & Activity fees paid by students attending the Seattle Campus.
If you are attending Bothell, visit UW Bothell’s Resources for Student Parents to obtain more information regarding childcare assistance available at the Bothell campus.
If you are attending Tacoma, either visit UW Tacoma’s website to obtain more information or contact uwtcfss@uw.edu for information regarding childcare assistance for students at the Tacoma Campus.
Application process
How To apply
You need to complete the 2026-27 FAFSA or 2026-27 WASFA. If you are an international student, you need to complete the 2026-27 International Student Financial Statement.
You apply for Childcare Assistance by submitting the quarterly Childcare Assistance Application.
If you do not know the childcare provider information at the time you complete the Childcare Assistance Application you can provide the information at a later date using Childcare Enrollment Information.
If you meet the eligibility requirements below, and if we have remaining funding you will be awarded Childcare Assistance.
The application for each respective quarter will be available as follows:
| Quarter | Application Available | Months Covered | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Jun. 15 – Aug. 14 | July, August, September | Closed |
| Autumn | Sept. 4 – Nov. 27 | October, November, December | Closed |
| Winter | Dec. 2 – Feb. 5 | January, February, March | Closed |
| Spring | Feb. 26 – Apr. 16 | April, May, June | Closed |
If you wish to apply for Childcare Assistance for a prior quarter, please contact our office.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to qualify for Childcare Assistance you need to:
- be enrolled at UW Seattle Campus,
- be the legal, physical, custodial parent of the child,
- meet financial need requirements,
- pay Service and Activities fee any quarter receiving the subsidy, and
- use the Department of Children, Youth and Families licensed provider not related by blood or marriage to the student.
Financial need requirements
Funding for the Childcare Assistance Program is limited to student parents with financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid based on your FAFSA/WASFA or your International Student Financial Statement.
Funding is awarded on a quarterly basis with available funds. Beginning with the 2016-2017 year the federally calculated SAI (Student Aid Index) from students’ completed FAFSA/WASFA are used in determining a student’s resources. SAIs are calculated from the information provided on the International Student Financial Statement for International Students. We continue to re-assess and evaluate our funding levels throughout the quarter trying to meet the needs of as many student parents as we are able.
2026-27 Childcare assistance award amounts
The amount of childcare assistance is determined by the ages(s) of your children and your enrollment status. Below you will find the maximum amounts awarded. Adjustments may be made if you do not have your child in care for a month or part of a month or if you are receiving outside childcare funding or if your actual childcare costs are lower than the grant amounts listed below. Funding and grant amounts are not guaranteed and are dependent upon funds allocations, availability and program utilization.
Award Amounts Full-time (graduate students 6 credits or more, undergraduate students/professional students 7 credits or more)
| Ages | Maximum Monthly Amount | Maximum Quarterly Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (birth – 12 months) | $1,050 per month | $3,150 per quarter |
| Toddlers (1 – 3 years old) | $1,050 per month | $3,150 per quarter |
| Preschoolers (3 – 6 years old) | $700 per month | $2,100 per quarter |
| School Age (7 – 12 years old) | $350 per month | $1,050 per quarter |
Award Amounts Part-time (graduate students 5 credits or less, undergraduate students/professional students 6 credits or less)
| Ages | Maximum Monthly Amount | Maximum Quarterly Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (birth – 12 months) | $525 per month | $1,575 per quarter |
| Toddlers (1 – 3 years old) | $525 per month | $1,575 per quarter |
| Preschoolers (3 – 6 years old) | $350 per month | $1,050 per quarter |
| School Age (7 – 12 years old) | $175 per month | $525 per quarter |
Disbursement
Funds are disbursed to students via direct deposit through the UW student account system beginning one week prior to the first day of the quarter (except for the summer quarter). Summer quarter funds will be disbursed after July 1st. The funds will be available provided all necessary forms have been properly completed and submitted to the office.
The Childcare Assistance Program covers 3 full calendar months each quarter, regardless of the first/last day of the academic quarter, if childcare costs were accrued.
Sign up for direct deposit through your Financial Aid Status under Student Finances in MyUW. This direct deposit is separate from any direct deposit you might have set up with UW Payroll.
Please note: it takes 2-3 business days for the funds to arrive in the student’s bank account. If direct deposit is not set up, a check will be mailed to the student’s local address.
Confidentiality
Information regarding the amount of your funding or disbursement of your funds will not be released to anyone other than the awarded student unless a yearly authorization for information release is completed online with the Office of Student Financial Aid (Direct deposit and information release can be set up online through your Student Personal Service via MyUW.
Tax information
Money received through the Childcare Assistance Program may be considered taxable income and will be listed on your 1098T form.
International Students: If you are receiving additional Grant or Fellowship funding, that combined with your Childcare Grant exceeds your tuition charge you may be subject to a 14% tax on the amount that exceeds tuition. Please review tax information regarding “ Foreign Person’s U.S. Source income” IRS’s website.
Please note: we are not trained to advise on tax laws. Please contact a tax advisor for their instructions.
Finding childcare providers
Finding childcare provider can be time consuming and confusing. Start early, give yourself as much time as you can. Three months at least would be advisable as childcare centers often have waiting lists. Family homes may have more frequent openings. Know what you can afford. Childcare rates do vary. Here are some steps to help you while you are looking for a childcare provider.
Find childcare providers. The Department of Children, Youth and Families is a good resource for finding a licensed daycare.
Research potential providers. Review the website of a potential provider, and reach out to them to ask questions. Some examples of questions are listed below.
- What are your operating hours?
- What is a typical day like? Ask to see a schedule of their activities.
- How much time do the children spend outside each day?
- What is your policy regarding naptime?
- What is your discipline policy?
- Do the children watch TV or DVDs? How often?
- What is your policy regarding sick kids?
- Do you have a sick care option?
- Do I have to pay for days when my child is absent due to illness or vacation?
- What types of meals and snacks do you serve?
- Do you charge extra if I’m late picking up my child?
- What is your overall childcare philosophy?
- What is your security/safety policies?
- What is the ratio of staff to children?
- What is the drop-in policy?
- Are you licensed with the Department of Early Learning?
Make an appointment. If you like their responses and are interested in them, make an appointment. Before your visit make a list of things that are important to you and your child. If you are happy with the daycare make another appointment to visit with your child. Some examples of things to consider are:
- How does the staff relate to the children?
- How do the children interact with one another?
- Are activities structured and appropriate for your child’s age group?
- Do you and your family feel comfortable when you are there?
- Do you feel welcome?
- Will your child be happy there?
- Observe the living and play environment, look for clean and safe areas free of clutter or potential safety hazards.
- Do you see pictures, books, etc. reflecting your family’s culture?
- Is the noise level reasonable for the activities taking place?
- Is there a variety and choice of activities for the children?
Decision. If both you and your child like the daycare then you need to decide if this is the caregiver that you have chosen.
Follow up. Once your decision is made then you will want to continue to communicate frequently with your care provider regarding your child and how they are doing. You will also want to talk with your child and watch them to see how they respond to the new caregiver.
Forms & resources
Forms
Our office uses DocuSign forms. DocuSign forms are submitted through an online process that requires you to log in with your UW NetID and password. You can review the status of your DocuSign form on the DocuSign status page.
- Childcare Assistance Application
- 2026-27 International Student Financial Statement
- Childcare Enrollment Information
- Information Update
If you do not have UW NetID yet, or if you wish to use a PDF version instead, please contact our office. We encourage the use of DocuSign when possible.
Resources
The following is a list of resources that student parents may find useful:
- Campus resources
- Childcare referral services
- Public childcare programs
- Licensing issues
- Support agencies
- Housing
- Food
- Dental care
- Parks and recreation
- Medical information
- General information
- School districts
Campus resources
| UW Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Carlson Leadership & Public Service Center | Develops service-learning, community-based participatory research, and leadership opportunities for UW students that sustain reciprocal partnerships, deepen learning, advance civic engagement, and contribute to our greater community. |
| Student Activities Office | Encourages participation in student activities as an excellent way to experience personal growth, meet new friends, share common interests with other students, faculty and staff, and have some fun outside the classroom. |
| The Women’s Center | The Women’s Center has programs in Lifelong learning, making connections, re-entry programs, Gender equity and violence prevention, information and referral services. |
| Hall Health Center | Hall Health Center offers on-campus medical care to students, staff, and the general public. A team of experienced doctors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses care for people of all ages – from infancy through old age. Mental health care is available to current students only. |
| Counseling Center | The Counseling Center exists to support UW Students in all aspects of their development. They provide personal counseling, Career Counseling, Study skills assistance, and crisis intervention services to currently-enrolled UW students. |
| Health & Wellness | Committed to the holistic development and support of our students, including the social, emotional, intellectual, physical, financial and the spiritual dimensions of life. |
| HFS Family Housing Eligibility | UW Family Housing has so much to offer, convenience of living close to classes, campus resources and opportunities to participate in social and educational programs. You can meet people of different cultures and backgrounds and make life long friends. |
| Off-Campus Housing Resources | A resource for students, faculty, and staff of various off-campus housing options. |
| Child Care at UW | Four Children’s Centers at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus serve faculty, staff, and students by providing year-round, on-site infant, toddler, and preschool childcare. The Children’s Center at West Campus serves primarily UW faculty and staff. The Children’s Centers at Radford Court and Laurel Village give priority to UW students in family housing. The Children’s Center at Portage Bay gives equal priority to students, faculty and staff. |
| The Career Center & Internship Center | The Career Center is where you can explore a career, get experience, make connections, find jobs and internships, get assistance with resumes and interviewing, applying to grad school. |
| Student Legal Services | Student Legal Services (SLS) is an on-campus law office that provides confidential legal advice and representation to UW-Seattle students. |
| Financial Aid | Offers all the information UW students need on qualifying for, applying for and receiving financial aid. |
| Lactation Stations | List of lactation stations on campus. |
Childcare referral services
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Child Care Resources | Seattle/North, East, South King County: – Referral: 206-329-5544 Pierce County Resource & Referral: – 1-800-446-1114 Snohomish County Resource & Referral: – 1 888 444-1862 Ext. 227 |
| Volunteers of America | Snohomish: 425-259-2973 Skagit: 800-503-0011 E-mail: info@voaww.org |
Public childcare programs
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Seattle Public Schools Head Start | 206-252-0960 |
| Children’s Home Society | North Seattle Family Center: – 206-364-7930 Green River: – 253-939-7400 |
Licensing issues
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Licensed Childcare Provider Information | Department of Children, Youth, and Families 1-866-482-4325 |
Support agencies
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| City of Seattle Childcare Assistance Program | 206-684-0268 |
| Department of Children, Youth, & Families | Working Connections Childcare Assistance 1-877-501-2233 |
| Washington Women in Need | 425-451-8838 ext. 305 |
| Haring Center | 206-543-4011 |
| Community Resources Online | 24-Hour Crisis Line 866-427-4747 206-461-3222 TDD Line: 206-461-3219 |
| Utility Financial Assistance | 206-684-0355 |
| Federal Energy Assistance, Seattle | 1-800-348-7144 |
Housing
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Seattle Housing Authority | 190 Queen Anne Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109-1028 206-239-1500 TDD: 1-800-833-6388 |
| Seattle Housing information | City Customer Service: – 206-684-2489 |
Food
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Washington State WIC Nutrition Program | 1-800-322-2588 |
| Basic Food | Washington’s Food Stamp Program 1-877-501-2233 |
| Washington State Food Banks | University District Food Bank 5017 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle, WA 98105 206-523-7060 |
| P-Patch—Community Gardens | 600 4th Avenue, 4th Floor Seattle, WA 98104 206-684-0264 |
Dental care
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| The Center for Pediatric Dentistry | A partnership with University of Washington & Seattle Children’s 6222 NE 74th St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-543-5800 |
Parks and recreation
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| King County Community Centers | 206-296-8687 |
Medical information
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| UW Medical Center | 206-598-3300 |
| Health Insurance | 206-543-6202 |
| Graduate Appointee Student Insurance | 1-866-535-8503 |
General information
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Seattle’s Child Newspaper | 1463 E. Republican St. #193 Seattle, WA 98112 206-441-0191 |
| City of Seattle Website | 206-684-2489 |
| Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce | 1301 Fifth Avenue Suite 1500 Seattle, WA 98101 206-389-7200 |
| US Department of Health & Human Services |
200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 1-877-696-6775 |
School districts
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Seattle School District | 206-252-0207 |
| Bellevue School District | 425-456-4000 |
| Shoreline School District | 206-367-6111 |
| Tacoma School District | 253-571-1000 |