TGS Graduate Student Childcare Grant
Balancing the demanding work of parenting while attending graduate school can be daunting. Northwestern helps eligible graduate students by offering portable childcare grants.
Effective October 1, 2016 Northwestern offers portable childcare grants for eligible PhD and MFA graduate students affiliated with The Graduate School (TGS).
Complete TGS Graduate Student Childcare Grant application.
About the TGS Graduate Student Childcare Grant
- The childcare grant can be used for any licensed day care or in-home care provider.
- These grants are intended to provide fully-funded TGS PhD and MFA degree-seeking student parents some financial support to help with childcare expenses and to enable them to pursue their graduate studies.
- The childcare grant is designed to be flexible so that families can choose the type of childcare best suited to their needs.
- Only one grant may be awarded per household.
Eligibility requirements
- Active, fully-funded TGS PhD and MFA degree-seeking students
- Combined family income is $150,000 or less. Verified on last years’ tax return or FAFSA
- For the care of children who are 13 years or under
- Must hold a valid visa and be eligible to receive income at the time of the award (if applicable)
- May not be receiving Northwestern childcare fee assistance through one of the center based programs
Subsidy amounts & limits
- $5,000 for one child; $8,000 for two children; $12,000 for three children per year. Limit is three children.
- If approved, the awards are paid in quarterly installments. Quarterly payments are contingent upon continued eligibility. TGS verifies that recipients remain fully funded, registered full-time in a funded registration, and active each quarter before issuing payment. Students who are not active or fully funded during a quarter are not eligible for that quarter's payment. MFA students whose funding ends after nine months and does not extend through the summer are not eligible for the summer quarter installment.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Quarter:
- Application Opens: Monday, September 21, 2026
- Application Closes: Monday, November 2, 2026
- Childcare Grant Payout: End of November
- Winter Quarter:
- Application Opens: Monday, January 4, 2027
- Application Closes: Monday, February 1, 2027
- Childcare Grant Payout: End of February
- Spring Quarter:
- Application Opens: Monday, March 29, 2027
- Application Closes: Friday, April 30, 2027
- Childcare Grant Payout: End of May
- Summer Quarter:
- Application Opens: Monday, June 14, 2027
- Application Closes: Monday, July 12, 2027
- Childcare Grant Payout: End of July
Tax information
In accordance with the IRS regulations, employer provided dependent care assistance is considered taxable income. Childcare fee assistance for U.S. students must be reported when filing your U.S. tax return. Childcare fee assistance to nonresident students is subject to 14% federal taxation and reported on Form 1042-S. For more information, see IRS Publication 970, “Tax Benefits for Education” and IRS Publication 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities.
Questions?
Visit Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). For additional information contactTGS@northwestern.edu.