Child Care Scholarship

Child Care Scholarship is sponsored by United Way of North Idaho. This scholarship fund supports families attending school or employed who need assistance paying for childcare, bridging the gap for those who earn too much for state assistance but not enough to afford care.

Childcare Scholarships | United Way of North Idaho What are ALICE childcare scholarships? The ALICE childcare scholarships serve as a community resource that reduces the cost of childcare for caregivers who are working and/or pursuing career development education.

Funds help cover pre-K and school-age childcare expenses so caregivers can attend work or classes without interruption, while their children receive quality care during this important step toward a brighter future. Who are scholarships for?

Eligible families include those with caregivers who are employed or engaged in education or workforce training programs and who pay for childcare for at least one child enrolled in a licensed early care, education, or out-of-school care program. Please note, the availability of ALICE childcare scholarships is dependent on the receipt of sufficient grant funding and community contributions.

Scholarships will be awarded based on available funds, and eligibility does not guarantee funding. In the event that funds are limited or unavailable, applicants may be placed on a waiting list or offered alternative resources. The program reserves the right to adjust the scholarship award amounts or suspend the program without prior notice based on funding circumstances.

What does ALICE stand for? The acronym ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The ALICE population earns just above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what it costs to make ends meet, often struggling to afford basic necessities such as housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, and technology.

When you give to this fund, you're not just helping parents pay for childcare, you're helping families rebuild their lives. - Scholarship Recipient This scholarship has helped me make it through the remainder of this semester. I really cannot thank you enough.

Your contribution has helped my family get closer to having financial security and I get closer to pursuing my lifelong dream of being an educator. - Scholarship Recipient I'm a single mom, going to school full time so that I can be better for my kids. I'm dealing with so much stress with my family.

I'm just trying to be a good mom and keep my kids in great day care that I trust and the extra help would be amazing. - Scholarship Recipient Required documents to apply The UWNI Child Care Scholarship is a pool of funds created through grants and fundraising to support families who are attending school or employed and need assistance paying for child care.

The fund is intended to bridge the gap for those who earn too much for the Idaho Child Care Assistance Program (ICCP) but do not earn enough to afford care.

Families must meet income guidelines, demonstrate need via an application process, and meet the following criteria: Living in any of Idaho's five northern counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, or Shoshone Pre-tax income at or below 100% Area Median Income (see Median Family Income table below).

Employed and/or enrolled in school or a job training program (includes local community colleges, technical programs, high school completion, etc.) Paying (or expect to pay) child care or school age tuition to a licensed early care and education program or out-of-school care program. Applicant information will be verified, and the amount paid to child care each month divided by the total household take-home pay.

The quotient is then evaluated against the established affordability index of 7% paid to care. Scholarships aim to subsidize monthly child care tuition to get families as close as possible to 7% of monthly take-home pay. For example, a family pays $1000 per month for care, out of a $4000 monthly income.

$1000 to childcare ÷ $4000 take-home pay = 25% of income paid to child care - too high. 7% of $4000 take-home pay would be $280 per month paid to childcare - this is our aim. $1000 actual - $280 goal = $720 difference - this is the amount needed to bring the family down to 7% paid to child care per month.

The following documents are required as part of your application: Copy of paystubs and/or other income documentation for past 30 days Current copy of course schedule ( students only) State-issued ID plus proof of residency. Can be any of the following: Current utility bills in your name Lease or letter from landlord Employer verification of address Please submit these documents with your application.

We will be unable to review your application if you do not submit all required documents. Deadline to apply is the 10th of each month. Scholarships are reviewed and award decisions made monthly on the third Friday.

You will be contacted regarding your scholarship status following the scholarship review. Families can apply for scholarships online or by scanning and emailing a hard copy: Click here for the 2026 online application Click here to download a hard copy of the application Scan and email application and additional documents to Sarawelch@UWNorthIdaho. org .

Still have questions? Please reach out! Sara Welch, Early Learning Coordinator Sarawelch@UWNorthIdaho.

org How will I know if I’ve been selected or not? The selection committee meets once per month on the third Friday. You will be notified via email or by hard copy mailed to the address listed on your application, if requested.

The selection committee and community partners will make every effort to connect you with additional resources should your application be denied. If you have not applied to ICCP, please fill out the application by calling 1-877-456-1233 (toll free) OR visit your local Idaho Department of Health and Welfare field office.

Be prepared to provide this information with the application: If applicable, Immigration Status For more information, visit https://healthandwelfare. idaho. gov/services-programs/children-families/… What happens if I am selected for a scholarship?

You and your child care provider will receive a welcome packet via email which includes: The amount awarded per month, the disbursement process, and timeline Any documents to be signed and returned to United Way How does the payment process work? The scholarship amount is determined based on applicant need and funds available.

The applicant’s child care provider will complete a W-9 and return it to the Early Care and Education Task Force. We will verify rates and attendance with the provider each month and send a one-time check directly to the provider to cover the total sum and duration of your awarded scholarship. If you un-enroll from the current provider, please contact us to have your scholarship moved to a new provider or to reapply.

Why childcare scholarships are so vital One of United Way of North Idaho’s core impact goals is to ensure that all children have nurturing early experiences and enter school ready to learn. To achieve this, we build strong public-private partnerships to expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare for working families across our region.

This work is critical—not only for the well-being of children and families today but also for the long-term health and prosperity of our communities. For nearly half of Idaho households living below the A. L.

I. C. E.

threshold, childcare is one of the most significant barriers to financial stability. The high cost, limited availability, and staffing shortages in the childcare sector create a constant struggle for families who are working hard but earning just above the poverty line. In Idaho, childcare for two children can cost as much as housing, leaving little left for other essentials.

Childcare is the essential infrastructure that supports a strong workforce and a thriving economy. When parents can’t access reliable care, they’re forced to reduce work hours, leave jobs, or forgo career and education opportunities—creating a ripple effect that impacts employers, schools, and the broader community. To address this need, United Way of North Idaho created the A.

L. I. C.

E. Child Care Scholarship Fund with the support of generous partners, including the City of Coeur d’Alene’s Community Development Block Grant program, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (IDAEYC) , the Windermere Foundation , and annual United Way of North Idaho fundraising events. These funds help bridge the gap for working families—investing in children’s development while strengthening North Idaho’s future.

Representatives from United Way of North Idaho Early Learning Collaborative review applications and supplemental documentation to recommend awards. Personal, identifying information is kept confidential. The selection committee and community partners make every effort to connect applicants with additional resources should their application be denied.

The first five years of a child’s life present a critical window for learning and growth, and this is exactly the time when quality early childhood education makes a profound difference in a child’s life. Yet this pivotal window of opportunity is missed when quality early childhood education is unavailable or unaffordable. Support the ALICE childcare scholarship program today by contributing here.

Your support truly makes access to quality, early childhood education possible - thank you!