Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility and Applications
- Who is eligible?
The 2024 Purdue Child Care Tuition Assistance Program was created to make quality child care more affordable for Purdue faculty, staff and graduate students. Funds for these scholarships are provided through a grant from the Indiana Family and Social Service Administration, the Patty Jischke Child Care Endowment and Purdue University. To apply for child care assistance, you must meet the following criteria:
1. Currently:
- Be A benefits-eligible Purdue University faculty or staff; OR
- Have a child(ren) enrolled at a Purdue Child Care Center located on the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University.
2. Have child(ren) currently enrolled in a level 3 or level 4 Paths to QUALITY™ facility (or equivalent).
3. Spend, or anticipate spending, at least 12% of your family combined annual salary on child care. *If you currently spend less than 12% of your family combined annual salary on child care, but feel strongly about your financial situation, you can still complete an application.
- Does my child have to be currently enrolled?
Yes. Only families who have child(ren) currently enrolled in a level 3 or level 4 Paths to QUALITY ™ (or equivalent), are eligible apply for that child(ren).
- What if my child(ren) are on a waiting list?
If your child(ren) is/are on the waiting list, you are not eligible to apply for that child.
- Is there a salary requirement?
There is not a salary requirement. The review committee analyzes percent of income spent on child care expenses compared to family combined annual salary. If your family spends or anticipates spending at least 12% of your family combined annual salary on child care, you should consider applying. If you currently spend less than 12% of your family combined annual salary on child care, but feel strongly about your financial situation, you can still complete an application for consideration.
- Does the scholarship cover all my costs?
The value of tuition assistance will vary and may cover any amount up to fifty (50) percent of the family's annual child care costs. The total amount of funds available will depend on the number of applicants and financial needs of those who apply.
- Does it only apply to one child?
No, you can apply for the scholarship for all children currently enrolled in a level 3 or level 4 Paths to QUALITY™ facility (or equivalent).
- When is the award period?
The scholarship term for the 2024-2025 child care tuition assistance is August 1, 2024, and runs no longer than July 31, 2025. Award is granted for one year.
- When can I apply?
The 2024-2025 Child Care Tuition Assistance Application opens July 8, 2024. The application and all applicable documentation must be completed and submitted no later than 5 p.m. ET on August 16, 2024.
- How do I complete the application
Applications and associated documentation are submitted via Qualtrics, a secure platform that protects data. The link to the 2024-2025 Purdue Child Care Tuition Assistance Application is available here
All information in this application will be used for child care tuition assistance purposes only.
- How do I determine my estimated expenses?
The application will ask that you provide the weekly tuition rate you pay for each child you have enrolled.
Recipients and Notification
- How are scholarship recipients determined?
A review of financial need, size of family and statement of personal circumstances is used to determine percentage and eligibility of scholarship.
- How will I receive the award funds
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.
- When will I be notified?
Applicants will be notified of award status via email the week of August 26, 2024.
- When will I receive the funds?
Awards will be disbursed to awarded families no later than September 30, 2024.
- How are taxes withheld?
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
- Why do graduate students have to complete a 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. For more information regarding FAFSA, please visit the FAFSA website at: https://studentaid.gov/
- What if I am not eligible to complete FAFSA?
If you do not meet eligibility requirements to apply for FAFSA you can submit one of the following:
*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 do not meet eligibility requirements to apply for FAFSA you can submit one of the following:
*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.
- How do I know if I qualify for state assistance?
Questions
If you have additional questions, please contact us through email at familyfriendly@purdue.edu or call the HR Service Center at 494-2222.