The Arizona Child Care Subsidy Program, specifically the Sun Devil Child Care Subsidy, is designed to alleviate the financial strain of child care costs for Arizona State University (ASU) student parents. This initiative, funded by the Graduate and Professional Student Association and Undergraduate Student Governments, aims to support student parents in their academic pursuits by helping manage expenses related to coursework-related child care.
Eligibility for the Sun Devil Child Care Subsidy
To be considered eligible for the Sun Devil Child Care Subsidy under the Arizona Child Care Subsidy Program umbrella at ASU, applicants must meet specific criteria. These requirements ensure that the subsidy reaches those student parents who are actively pursuing their degrees while managing child care responsibilities. The eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Enrollment in a Degree-Granting Program: Applicants must be officially enrolled in a program that grants degrees at Arizona State University.
- Credit Hour Requirements:
- Undergraduate Students: Must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester by the application deadline, August 22, 2025, and maintain this enrollment status by the 21st day of the semester.
- Graduate Students: Must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours, or 1 credit hour for doctoral students, per semester by the application deadline, August 22, 2025, and maintain this enrollment status by the 21st day of the semester.
- Parent or Legal Guardian Status: Applicants must be the parent(s) or legal guardian of a child or children aged between 6 weeks and 12 years old who are utilizing child care services.
- Demonstrated Financial Need: Applicants are required to demonstrate financial need through appropriate documentation as part of the application process.
- Inclusion of Online and International Students: Both international student parents and online student parents are eligible to apply for the subsidy, provided they meet all other criteria.
- Timely Submission of Application Materials: All necessary application materials must be submitted by the application deadline of August 22, 2025, to be considered for the Arizona child care subsidy program.
Applying for the Arizona Child Care Subsidy Program
The application process for the Arizona Child Care Subsidy Program, specifically the Sun Devil Child Care Subsidy, is streamlined through ASU’s Scholarship Universe Portal. Prospective applicants need to complete the Sun Devil Care Subsidy Application available on the Scholarship Universe Portal. This online portal is the central platform for managing and submitting applications for this crucial financial aid.
Choosing a Child Care Provider
When applying for the Arizona Child Care Subsidy Program, it’s important to understand the guidelines regarding child care providers. While you can submit your application even if you haven’t yet finalized your child care provider, there are specific requirements for the type of care you can utilize if you are awarded the subsidy. The subsidy program mandates the use of approved child care options, which include:
- Licensed Child Care Centers and Programs: Utilizing care from licensed child care centers or before-and-after school programs ensures that the care meets state standards and regulations.
- In-Home Care Providers (Non-Relative): The subsidy can cover payments to individuals who provide child care services in a home that is not the student parent’s residence.
- Paid Caregivers in Student’s Home (Non-Parent): Individuals who are paid to provide child care within the student’s home, and are not the child’s parent, are also covered under eligible provider options.
Important Restriction: It is critical to note that the Arizona Child Care Subsidy Program cannot be used to compensate a parent for providing care to their own child. The subsidy is intended to cover external child care costs that enable student parents to focus on their studies.
Funding Amounts and Key Details
Successful applicants of the Arizona Child Care Subsidy Program can expect to receive financial assistance ranging from $500 to $1,000 per semester. The exact award amount ($500, $700, or $1,000) is contingent upon the availability of funds and the demonstrated financial need of the applicant.
Additional Important Information
Several key points are crucial for anyone considering applying for the Arizona Child Care Subsidy Program:
- Funding Contingency: The continuation of the subsidy program each year is dependent on the availability of allocated funds.
- Annual Re-application Requirement: Recipients must reapply for the subsidy each academic year, as awards are not automatically renewed.
- Summer School Exclusion: The subsidy is not applicable for child care costs incurred during summer school sessions.
- Dual ASU Parent Situations: In cases where both parents are ASU students applying for the subsidy for the same child(ren), the subsidy will be awarded to only one parent on behalf of the family unit.
- Impact on Financial Aid: It’s important to be aware that receiving the Arizona Child Care Subsidy may affect eligibility for other forms of federal and institutional financial aid. Financial aid awards are capped at the Standard Cost of Attendance. Students who have already reached this cap may need to submit a Student Budget Review to Financial Aid and Scholarship Services to have their child care expenses factored into their financial aid package.
- Application Review Timeline: Applications will only be reviewed by administrators after the application deadline has passed.
Recipient Responsibilities and Next Steps
Recipients of the Arizona Child Care Subsidy Program have certain responsibilities to maintain their eligibility and avoid penalties. These include:
- Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress: Students must continue to make satisfactory progress towards their degree.
- Minimum Credit Enrollment: Maintaining enrollment in at least 12 credits for undergraduates or 6 credits (or 1 for doctoral students) for graduate students during the Fall and Spring semesters is mandatory.
- Avoiding Course Withdrawals: Significant reductions in course load or complete withdrawal from classes or ASU can lead to cancellation or repayment of the subsidy.
- Compliance and Accurate Information: Adhering to all subsidy requirements and providing accurate information throughout the application and award period is essential.
What Happens After Applying?
The process following your application submission involves several steps to keep applicants informed and to distribute funds efficiently:
- Application Receipt Confirmation: All applicants will receive an email confirmation to the email address provided in their application, acknowledging receipt of their application and later informing them of their application status. The initial confirmation email is typically sent between the 21st and 30th day of the semester.
- Award Notification and Acceptance: Students who are awarded the subsidy will receive an email containing an Acceptance Form, which details the subsidy amount, coverage period, and recipient responsibilities. Additionally, a Child Care Enrollment Verification Form must be completed by each child care provider. No funds will be disbursed until all required forms are received and processed.
- Subsidy Disbursement: Awarded students will be notified about the expected disbursement date of their subsidy. Funds are typically disbursed into the student’s ASU Student Account, either as a direct deposit to their bank account or via a mailed check, on a semester basis. ASU needs to verify student enrollment status after the drop deadline before disbursement.
- Program Evaluation Survey: Towards the end of each semester, recipients will be asked to complete a survey to gather feedback on the program’s effectiveness and to understand the experiences of subsidy recipients, helping to improve the Arizona child care subsidy program in the future.
Need More Support?
For any additional questions or if you require further assistance regarding the Arizona Child Care Subsidy Program, please contact:
Trish Bawn ([email protected]) – Assistant Dean of Students
This resource is available to help guide you through the application process and answer any specific questions you may have about accessing child care support while pursuing your academic goals at ASU.
