Human Resources

Purdue Childcare Tuition Assistance Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Eligibility and Applications

The 2026/2027 Purdue Childcare Tuition Assistance Program was created to make quality childcare more affordable for Purdue faculty, staff and graduate students. Funds for these scholarships are provided through the Patty Jischke Childcare Endowment. To apply for childcare assistance, you must meet all the following criteria:

  • Families with at least one child enrolled at a Purdue Childcare Center located on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, AND
  • Spend or anticipate spending at least 12 percent of your family's combined annual salary on childcare.
    • If you currently spend less than 12 percent of your family's combined annual salary on childcare, but feel strongly about your financial situation, you can still complete an application.
Yes. Only families who have child(ren) currently enrolled in either the Ben and Maxine Miller Child Development Laboratory School or the Patty Jischke Early Care and Education Center, are eligible to apply for that child(ren).
If your child(ren) is/are on the waiting list, you are not eligible to apply for that child.
There is not a salary requirement. The review committee analyzes percent of income spent on childcare expenses compared to family combined annual salary. If your family spends or anticipates spending at least 12% of your family combined annual salary on childcare, you should consider applying. If you currently spend less than 12% of your family combined annual salary on childcare, but feel strongly about your financial situation, you can still complete an application for consideration.
The value of tuition assistance will vary and may cover any amount up to fifty (50) percent of the family's annual childcare costs. The number of scholarships awarded is based on number of applicants, established family need and funding available
No, you can apply for the scholarship for all children currently enrolled in one of the two Purdue childcare centers located on the West Lafayette campus (Ben and Maxine Miller Child Development Laboratory School or the Patty Jischke Early Care and Education Center).

The scholarship is a one-time payment, paid out via payroll, to be applied towards 2026/2027 childcare tuition expenses. Non-Purdue employees who receive an award will be paid out via check.

The 2026-2027 Childcare Tuition Assistance Application opens 9/1, 2026. The application and all applicable documentation must be completed and submitted no later than 5 p.m. ET on 9/30, 2026.

Applications and associated documentation are submitted via Qualtrics, a secure platform that protects data. The link to the 2026-2027 Purdue Childcare Tuition Assistance Application is available here.

All information in this application will be used for childcare tuition assistance purposes only.

The application will ask that you provide the weekly tuition rate you pay for each child you have enrolled.

If you do not have a PUID, you may enter NA on the application.

Recipients and Notifications

A review of financial need, size of family and statement of personal circumstances is used to determine percentage and eligibility of scholarship.

If you are selected, the funds will be paid out via payroll to individuals who are employed at Purdue University. Please note, all tax implications apply. For families enrolled at a Purdue Child Care Center in West Lafayette that are not employed at Purdue, a check will be issued. Non-employees receiving $600 or more in a calendar year will be issued a Form 1099 at the end of the calendar year. Non-employees not receiving $600 or more must determine how to apply their scholarship funds to their individual tax return.

It is at the discretion of the family on how to apply the assistance funds to child care tuition. For example: You may make a one-time payment of assistance funds towards child care tuition or you may use the funds periodically over the next year.

No later than the week of October 12, 2026.

Awards are considered income. Purdue employees will receive the award via payroll. The scholarship will be subject to all income and employment taxes, showing as taxable income on the employee’s W-2 form. Non-employees receiving $600 or more in a calendar year will be issued a Form 1099 at the end of the calendar year. Non-employees not receiving $600 or more must determine how to apply to their individual tax return.

FAFSA

For consideration, a parent/guardian must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial need. It is required for all students seeking federal student grants, work-study programs and loans. The FAFSA may also qualify you for state-sponsored financial aid. If you have not already applied for the 2026/2027 academic year please visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

If you do not meet eligibility requirements to apply for FAFSA you can submit one of the following:

  • Last year’s federal income tax form 1040
  • Last year’s federal income tax form 1042S plus W2

*Purdue works with College Board and has an application form ready for completion. You do not need to set up an account. Simply answer the questions and print your final calculations page. Please note, because you are not creating an account, your information will not be saved with College Board or Purdue.

If you have additional questions, please contact us through email at familyfriendly@purdue.edu or call the HR Service Center at 494-2222.