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  Child Care Support
  for Ivy Tech Students

  For students with children, access to high-quality, reliable child care is a critical component of success, giving parents peace of mind that their children are growing and learning while they are too. Recognizing the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic on parents pursuing post-secondary education, Ivy Tech and Indiana’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning have joined forces to provide eligible Ivy Tech students with streamlined access to child care assistance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is eligible to apply for child care assistance under this program?

  Ivy Tech full-time and part-time students meet the eligibility requirements if they are: actively enrolled in Ivy Tech coursework, meet federal income guidelines of 150% or below Federal Poverty Level, live in Indiana, have children age 12 or younger who are U.S. citizens and have proof of identity for all family members.

• How much child care assistance do qualifying students receive?

  Assistance vouchers cover full-time child care of at least 25 hours per week. Child care subsidies are calculated based on family income. Families will be required to pay co-payments directly to the child care provider where your child is placed. You will receive the cost of your co-payment once you’ve been approved for services.

• How do I apply?

  Apply online at Early Ed Connect by creating an account and completing the application. If you are unsure about your eligibility, you can verify if you qualify through the pre-screening questions on the application. Once you have applied, visit https://www.ivytech.edu/childcare/ to request an Ivy Tech Student Child Care Assistance Referral form. The form is available digitally and requires information from you as well as an e-signature by staff. Once complete, Ivy Tech will submit it on your behalf.

• What documentation is required for Ivy Tech students applying for child care assistance?

  You will need to submit proof of identity, your child’s identity, your income, your address and proof of your student status. You will also need the referral form sent by an Ivy Tech staff member. This process is described in an answer below.

• I am unsure if I qualify. What should I do?

  Apply online at Early Ed Connect by creating an account and completing the application. If you are unsure about your eligibility, you can verify if you qualify through the pre-screening questions on the application. If you have additional questions, contact the Brighter Futures Indiana Solution Center at (800) 299-1627, via email at Solutioncenter@earlylearningindiana.org, or chat at https://ileadhelp.org.

• How do I request an Ivy Tech Student Child Care Assistance Referral Form to be submitted on my behalf?

  CLICK HERE to request that an Ivy Tech Student Child Care Assistance Referral Form be submitted on your behalf. The form requires information from you as well as an e-signature by staff. Find a copy of the form at https://www.ivytech.edu/childcare/.

• Who can submit an Ivy Tech Student Child Care Assistance Referral Form for me?

  To find information about who can submit your referral and how, visit https://www.ivytech.edu/childcare/. Remember, Ivy Tech staff will need information from you in order to complete it and submit it.

• What happens if at the time of my eligibility appointment my Ivy Tech Student Child Care Assistance Form has not been received?

  During your appointment, be sure to state that you are an Ivy Tech student, and the eligibility office will follow up with Ivy Tech on your behalf.

• What happens after my application and referral form are submitted?

  Qualifying individuals will be contacted by their local eligibility office to schedule an eligibility determination meeting. If all documentation has been submitted and qualifications are met, you will be issued a voucher. If not, you may be asked to gather additional documentation or be told you don’t qualify.

• I have been issued a child care assistance voucher, but need help finding care in my area. Who should I contact?

  The Brighter Futures Indiana Solution Center and your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency are both available to help you find child care that meets your family’s needs. Contact the Brighter Futures Indiana Solution Center at (800) 299-1627 or chat at https://ileadhelp.org. To find your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency, click here.

• I was declined for child care assistance. Can I apply again?

  Yes. Families are welcome to reapply at any time, especially as circumstances occur that may make them eligible for child care assistance.

• What happens if I dis-enroll or choose not to take courses during the child care assistance voucher period?

  If your family’s circumstances change during the voucher period, you need to contact your local eligibility determination office.

• What happens at the end of the voucher period?

  If, at the end of the assistance period, you are still a student and meeting the eligibility criteria, you will qualify for continued assistance. If you are no longer a student and do not meet eligibility criteria, your assistance will end.