Child care resources

Childcare grants 

Metro State students may be eligible for childcare grants. There are two types of childcare grants available. You can learn more and apply below:

• Post-Secondary Child Care Grant: The Post-Secondary Child Care Grant program is managed through financial aid. This program provides funding directly to students who need assistance with childcare expenses while attending school. The grant is available to Minnesota resident undergraduate and graduate students who have not completed 10 full-time semesters (or its equivalent) enrollment in post-secondary education. Students also must complete the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application to be considered. 
  • How to apply:
    1. Login or create an account on the MN Aid Student Portal
    2. Click on ‘Online Applications’ and find the ‘Post-Secondary Child Care Grant 2024–2025 Application’
    3. Fill out the online portion and hit ‘Save’
    4. Important: your application is not yet complete! The next page will instruct you to print your application - you must click the‘Print CCG Application’ button and print out the actual application. We have free printing for all students on campus.
    5. Take the printed application your child care provider—they need to fill our Section B
    6. Turn in the completed application to Gateway Student Services (first floor of Founders Hall on campus.
  • Students can contact Gateway Student Services with any questions: gateway@metrostate.edu. 
• Student Parent Childcare Grants: The Student Parent Center has childcare grants available to subsidize students' childcare costs. The Student Parent Childcare Grants are designed to help eligible low-income students pay for childcare while attending school. The grants are basic sliding scale fee programs and the hours of child care and copayments are determined by the number of college credits, family income, and location of the childcare services.
  • Student parents must identify a childcare facility prior to receiving the grant. The childcare facility must either be a Nationally Certified Child Care Center (NAEYC) and/or a 4-Star Parent Aware child care center. The funds will be applied directly to the childcare facility. 
  • You can learn more and apply here: Student Parent Childcare Grant Application. 
  • Contact the Student Parent Center with any questions: student.parentcenter@metrostate.edu.

Other resources

• Parent Aware: offers free tools and services to help families find quality childcare and early education programs to help their children succeed in school and life.  
• Help Me Connect: A navigator connecting pregnant and parenting families with young children (birth – 8 years old) with services in their local communities that empower families to be healthy and safe. 
• Think Small: offering tools for parents and early childhood educators including finding affordable childcare and grants.  
• County Child Care Assistance: The Child Care Assistance Program provides financial assistance to help families with low incomes pay for childcare so that parents may pursue employment or education leading to employment, and that children are well cared for and prepared to enter school. 
• Women, Children, and Infants (WIC) program: Helps eligible pregnant women, new mothers, babies and young children eat well, learn about nutrition, and stay healthy. Eligible families will receive support with food, nutrition, and more.