U.S. Department of Education awards UALR childcare grant for low-income students
by October 21, 2021 5:09 pm 464 views
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been awarded a federal grant worth more than $581,000 from the U.S. Department of Education.
The money will be used to help pay childcare expenses for low-income students.
UA Little Rock received a Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) four-year grant of $581,128. The program supports the participation of low-income parents in post-secondary education through the provision of campus-based childcare services.
“The childcare support provided by this grant will help our students who are parents and is another example of our institution’s commitment to student success,” Provost Ann Bain said.
Funding will be available to students who are eligible to receive Pell Grants. Students receiving these grants typically come from households whose family incomes are less than $50,000 annually, though most Pell Grant money goes to students with a total family income below $20,000. At UA Little Rock, 39% of undergraduate students from the fall 2021 semester are Pell Grant recipients, according to the school.
“The grant will allow us to pay support for childcare to Pell-eligible students with children using established and licensed childcare providers,” said Dr. Daryl Rice, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for student success. “The amount is based on a sliding scale. The program will also provide assistance in accessing childcare support from other sources, such as the Arkansas Department of Health’s voucher program and childcare provided by Early Start, Head Start, and the Little Rock School District.”
UA Little Rock said a priority for the grant money will be given to single parents. In particular, only 8% of single mothers who start college earn an associate or bachelor’s degree within six years, compared with about half of women who are not mothers.
The childcare funding will be available to UA Little Rock students beginning in the spring 2022 semester. A full-time director will be hired to run the program in the Office of Student Retention Initiatives.