New Grants Help Low-Income Parents Access College Child Care

You might care about this because the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services are making money available to colleges. This money helps low-income parents pay for child care while they attend school. This notice tells colleges how they can apply for these grants for the 2026 fiscal year. The program is called Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools, or CCAMPIS. Its main goal is to support parents who are working towards a college degree. By offering child care on campus, the program removes a big barrier for many students. This means more parents can get the education they need without worrying about where their children will be cared for. The grants are competitive, meaning colleges must submit strong proposals to receive funding. This announcement details the application process and important dates. What is particularly interesting about this opportunity are the specific focus areas for the 2026 grants. The program wants colleges to find other sources of money to support child care, not just federal funds. They also want colleges to make child care more affordable for low-income parents by using a sliding fee scale. This means parents would pay based on what they can afford. Another priority is to offer more choices for early learning environments. Colleges that awarded at least $250,000 in Federal Pell Grant money in 2025 can apply. A college could receive up to $500,000 each year, or more if they have many Pell Grant students. These grants are for a four-year period, providing stable funding for these child care services. This legal document would be most interesting to several groups. First, it is important for institutions of higher education, especially those that serve many students who receive Pell Grants. College administrators and financial aid departments will want to review the eligibility rules and application process. Second, low-income parents who are currently in college or planning to attend would find this information valuable. Knowing that child care support might be available on campus can influence their educational choices. Third, organizations focused on student support services or early childhood education might also be interested. They may want to help colleges apply for these funds or see how these programs benefit student parents. The notice provides contact information for questions and websites for full application details.