OSAC Oregon Student Child Care Grant Program

The Oregon Student Child Care Grant Program is administered by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission through the Office of Student Access and Completion. This state-funded initiative is designed to support student parents pursuing postsecondary education in Oregon by reducing the financial burden of child care. The program reflects Oregon’s broader commitment to increasing college access and completion rates among nontraditional students, particularly those balancing academic responsibilities with caregiving obligations. By helping ensure access to safe and reliable child care, the program aims to improve student persistence and degree attainment. The primary purpose of the grant is to provide financial assistance to eligible student parents so they can secure dependable child care services while enrolled in an undergraduate program. Funding may be used strictly for child care expenses incurred for eligible children, defined as dependents age 12 and under, or older dependents with qualifying special needs. The program requires that child care providers be listed with the Oregon Department of Human Services or be registered or certified with the Oregon Child Care Division, ensuring that funded services meet state standards for safety and quality. Eligibility for the grant is limited to Oregon residents who are enrolled or planning to enroll as undergraduate students at eligible Oregon postsecondary institutions, including community colleges, public universities, and certain private institutions located within the state. Applicants must not have earned a bachelor’s or higher degree and must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Additional requirements include being in good standing with federal financial aid programs and demonstrating financial need through submission of the FAFSA or ORSAA. The program explicitly excludes students attending for-profit institutions headquartered outside of Oregon. The application process requires submission of both the Oregon Student Child Care Grant Application and either the FAFSA or ORSAA by the stated deadline. Transcripts are not required at the initial application stage but may be requested later for eligible applicants. The application window for the 2026–27 cycle opens in mid-January 2026 and closes on June 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it is extended to the next business day. Awards are competitive due to limited funding, and priority is given to continuing recipients who remain eligible, followed by new applicants evaluated on academic progress, financial need, enrollment intensity, and use of eligible child care providers. Award amounts are determined based on the lesser of the student’s actual child care costs or the average local child care rates, with a maximum award of $10,000 per academic year. Funds are disbursed directly to the student’s institution and applied to their financial aid package, rather than being paid directly to the student or child care provider. Students are responsible for paying their providers independently. Continued funding is contingent upon meeting renewal criteria, including credit completion thresholds, ongoing enrollment, and maintaining eligibility for both the student and the child care provider. The program includes a renewal pathway for eligible recipients, allowing funding for up to six years or until the completion of a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first. Renewal requires submission of a new application and FAFSA or ORSAA each year, completion of required credit hours, and continued compliance with all eligibility conditions. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the program via email at PublicPrograms@hecc.oregon.gov or by phone at (541) 687-7400. This grant operates on an annual cycle, making it a recurring opportunity for eligible student parents in Oregon.

Prioritize demonstrating financial need and maintaining full-time enrollment status where possible; ensure childcare provider eligibility; track credit completion progress