Please review this web site fully.
Your questions may be answered and your application process expedited.
To communicate with the Family Services Office, please email us at familyservices@uiowa.edu or call 353-2314/335-1371. With questions for you, the Family Services Office will use your University email address.
If after being approved, you have questions about requesting your allocation/money, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- Where can I find the online application for the child care subsidy program?
- What are the two University child care subsidy programs?
- What are the eligibility criteria?
- What could disqualify me?
- Who has priority for the child care subsidy programs?
- When should I apply?
- How much money can I receive for my child care expenses?
- How do I apply?
- What financial information do I need to complete my application?
- When will I find out if my application has been approved?
- Once I have been approved, how do I receive my funds?
- Should I have my checks deposited directly into my bank account?
- If my child care provider does not provide a receipt, what should I do?
- What are the dates that I must request my funds?
- Are the child care subsidy funds considered taxable income?
- If I need help or have questions, who can I contact?
Definition of terms or phrases on the child care subsidy application
- Household or Family Income/Financial Resources
- New Dimensions in Learning (NDIL)
- Iowa Department of Human Services Child Care Subsidy Program
- Total Credit Hours
- Subsidy for regular, ongoing child care arrangement
- Evening/weekend child care subsidy
- Subsidy Semester
- Gross Salary
- Federal financial aid or federal loans
- Pell Grants
Where can I find the online application for the child care subsidy programs?
Log onto ISIS. Then click on Student Records. Next go to Student Life Management. Under Student Life Management, you will click on Child Care Subsidy. You will now be able to access the application.
After completing and submitting the online application, you will receive an email within 10 days letting you know the status of your application.
When submitting your application, a record will be created in which you can (1) view the status of your application, (2) see the amount of your subsidy if approved, (3) submit your receipt for reimbursement, (4) learn the status of your payment, and (5) review other important information.
What are the two University child care subsidy programs?
- The regular child care subsidy program helps students with the cost of their regular, ongoing child care. Normally, the child care is scheduled Monday through Friday, daytime hours. For those students who have regularly scheduled evening classes, an application for these funds can also be submitted.
- The evening/weekend study child care program provides funding to help student parents hire a friend or babysitter to care for their child so that they can study, write a paper, do research or participate in a study group on evenings/weekends.
The same application is used for both programs. The programs are administered during the academic year, August through May. Funding is not available during the summer months.
What are the eligibility criteria?
One application per family is permitted even if both parents are enrolled as students at the University.
To submit an application:
- you must be currently enrolled at the UI half-time or if not enrolled half-time, be enrolled less than half-time and have a required academic responsibility which together equal half-time. For example, you might be enrolled in one class and have an assistantship/practicum, or working on a dissertation and enrolled for zero hours.
- you must be currently seeking a UI degree: undergraduate or graduate/professional/Master’s/Ph.D.
- you must reside with your child. Please contact us if you are a non-custodial parent who contributes to the cost of your child's regular child care arrangement.
- you must use a paid child care arrangement to fulfill academic responsibilities.
Your child
- is under age 13, or
- is under age 19 and has a disability.
Your child care provider
- is legally permitted to work in this country, and
- may be center-based, family child care, or a professional caregiver, relative, friend, or neighbor.
While not an inclusive list, you could be disqualified if you
- cannot log into ISIS;
- are not currently enrolled at The University of Iowa;
- you are a post doctoral student;
- receive funding from New Dimension in Learning (NDIL);
- have been approved or will be approved to receive full funding through the child care subsidy program from the Iowa Department of Human Services;
- have a family/household annual gross income $40,000 or more; or
- are an International student who does not have a social security number.
If you are not able to access the application and to insure that a mistake has not been made, please call
353-2314/335-1371 or email familyservices@uiowa.edu for further information.
Who has priority for the child care subsidy programs?
- For the regular, ongoing child care arrangement program, priority is given to students with the least amount of annual gross family/household income. After those students are funded, the subsidy applications from higher income students are reviewed.
- For the evening/weekend study child care program, priority is given to students with the least amount of annual gross family/household income. After those students are funded, the subsidy applications from higher income students are reviewed. A student who uses the free midterms/finals child care program may not be eligible.
Funding for both programs is limited. Once funds are depleted, applications, while accepted, will not be approved for funding.
The online allocation is available anytime; however, the process to review the applications begins August 17, 2009.
It is recommended to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed and accepted as long as there is funding. You must re-apply each academic year.
If you will be using child care during the spring semester only, apply in the fall. Funds will be set aside for you.
Because we maximize our funding, it is always a good idea to submit an application even if you are submitting an application during the spring semester.
How much money can I receive for my child care expenses?
For the regular child care subsidy program, the amount of funding you receive depends upon the age of your child and the months your child is using a paid child care arrangement.
The table below explains the amount of funding you may receive or be allocated depending upon the age of your child and months enrolled in child care. For lower income families with two children in child care, additional funding may be possible. Families will be informed of the additional funding only when it is known that funding is available.
| a child under 24 months of age | $210 per month |
| a child 24 to 60 months of age, or too young for school/kindergarten | $165 per month |
| a child attending kindergarten through 12 years of age, or a child with a disability up to 19 years of age who is attending school and enrolled in child care | $75 per month |
| a second child in child care and the parent’s annual gross income/resources are under $30,000, and only when it is known that funds are available. | $50 per month |
For the evening/weekend study child care program, funding levels are:
- for one child, expenses are reimbursed up to $60 per semester.
- for two or more children, expenses are reimbursed up to $100 per semester.
Log onto ISIS. Then select Student Records on the menu bar . Next go to Student Life Management. Under Student Life Management, you will choose link for Child Care Subsidy. You will now be able to access the application.
After completing and submitting the online application, you will receive an email within 10 days letting you know the status of your application. Visit ISIS to:
- learn the status of your application,
- view the amount of your subsidy allocation if approved,
- submit your request for reimbursement,
- learn the status of your request for reimbursement and
- view other communications from the staff of the child care subsidy program.
What financial information do I need to complete my application?
- Your gross annual salary.
- Your spouse or partner’s annual gross salary.
- If you and your spouse or partner do not pool family resources, include the amount the spouse/partner contributes.
- The child support you actually receive for living expenses.
- Alimony that is actually received.
- Gifts or payments over $1,000 annually from family, relatives, friends, company/employer or country that is not to be paid back.
When will I find out if my application has been approved?
After August 17, 2009, within 10 days of submitting your application, you will be notified via email of the status of your application.
Please remember, through ISIS you will be kept informed.
Once I have been approved, how do I receive my funds?
To receive your money or funds, you must first pay for your child care and then submit a receipt through your ISIS subsidy account. Scan the receipt in prior to going to your ISIS subsidy account.
To expedite the process and if possible, please use the receipt forms found under: If my child care provider does not provide a receipt, what should I do?
You will receive your payment deposited directly into your bank account or a check sent to your US mailing address on file.
Should I have my checks deposited directly into my bank account?
Yes, if at all possible. You will receive your reimbursement quicker.
To have your child care reimbursement deposited directly into you bank account, go to the Employee Self Service site (http://hris.uiowa.edu) and login using your HawkID and HawkID password. Select the tab, Personal, choose the Payroll heading, and then the link, Direct Deposit. Select the button, Add Accounts Payable Type, and complete and submit the form. If you cannot access the online form, you may also download/print the Direct Deposit Form. Send this form to Purchasing at 202 PCO.
If you have changes to your bank information, notify and email purchasing-vendor@uiowa.edu.
If my child care provider does not provide a receipt, what should I do?
You must submit a receipt in order to be reimbursed. If your child care provider does not provide a receipt to you, use one of the receipt templates below.
What are the dates that I must request my funds?
Please note: If you do not request your funding by the dates below and have not been approved for an extension, you may lose your child care subsidy.
Regular Child Care Subsidy Program – Application Approved Prior to December 20, 2009
- Your fall allocation must be requested by December 20, 2009
- If you are approved for both the fall and spring semesters, you have the option of receiving the fall and spring subsidy amounts/allocations also by December 20, 2009.
Regular Child Care Subsidy Program – Spring Allocation or Application Approved After December 20, 2009
- Your spring allocation must be requested by April 1, 2010.
- If you were approved for a fall and/or spring allocation before December 20, 2009 and permission was given to roll-over some or the entire fall allocation amount, you must request your fall and/or spring allocation funding by April 1, 2010.
- If you were approved for a fall and/or spring allocation after December 20, 2009, you must request your allocation by April 1, 2010.
Evening/Week Child Care Subsidy
- If you were approved for a fall semester allocation, you must request your allocation by December 20, 2009.
- If you were approved for a spring semester allocation, you must request your allocation by May 20, 2010.
If you have extenuating circumstances and need an extension of the deadline date, please contact familyservices@uiowa.edu or call 353-2314/335-1371.
Are the child care subsidy funds considered taxable income?
Yes. Funds received from either of the child care subsidy programs are taxable. You are to include the amount of subsidy paid to you when filing your taxes. The University has provided an explanation of the IRS definition of child care and reporting requirements. (pdf)
If I need help or have questions, who can I contact?
The Family Services Office administers the programs. Feel free to contact us with questions.
- Ruth Hurlburt
familyservices@uiowa.edu
(319) 353-2314 - Jane Holland
familyservices@uiowa.edu
(319) 335-1371
Definition of terms or phrases on the child care subsidy application
Household or Family Income/Financial Resources –annual salary earned before taxes or any deductions are removed, between July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. Also included are financial gifts/contributions or payments over $1000 for rent, food, auto, clothing, schooling, etc. Examples of sources of the financial gifts/contributions or payments are: family/relatives, friends, employer, country or child support/alimony. It does not include scholarships or fellowships, or loans to be paid back.
New Dimensions in Learning (NDIL) – a UI program assisting students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds and those with disabilities who historically have had limited access to higher education.
Iowa Department of Human Services Child Care Subsidy Program – a state of Iowa program that pays for all or part of the cost of child care for an undergraduate student while the student is in class or is working.
Total Credit Hours – the number of hours the student is enrolled. Examples of what credit hours include are: classes, practicum/internships, thesis work or preparing for comprehensive examinations.
Subsidy for regular, ongoing child care arrangement - University funding to help pay for child care that is scheduled Monday through Friday, daytime hours on a regular basis, not sporadically. For those students who have regularly scheduled evening classes, funds from this program can be used. Administered by the Family Services Office. Child care funding is provided the fall and spring semester.
Evening/weekend child care subsidy – University funding to help pay for child care evening/weekends so that a student can (examples are) study, write a paper, do research or participate in a study group on evenings/weekends. Administered by the Family Services Office. Child care funding is provided the fall and spring semester.
Subsidy Semester – child care funding is provided the fall and spring semesters. The student must be enrolled during the semester the funding is being used.
Gross Salary – Is the total annual earned income July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. Gross salary means before taxes or any other deductions are taken out.
Federal financial aid or federal loans – is financial assistance for U.S. students provided through the U.S. Department of Education. The on-campus Office providing assistance/guidance is Student Financial Aid, Calvin Hall.
Pell Grants – is a federal, need-based grant awarded to the most needy U.S. students. The student completes the FAFSA to determine eligibility. Only undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree are eligible. The on-campus Office providing assistance/guidance is Student Financial Aid, Calvin Hall.