Childcare Subsidy Program for Graduate Students

Boston University is proud to launch our Childcare Subsidy Program for Graduate Students on both the Charles River and Medical Campuses. This program is available to PhDs and other graduate students receiving full-time stipend support who are within their funding guarantee and who meet the below eligibility criteria.

Eligible students will be able to apply once per academic year for the following awards per child:

  • $3,500 per child per year for children ages 0-5 years old;
    • If a child’s 6th birthday falls after September 1, 2025, they are eligible to receive this subsidy.
    • This amount will increase annually by 4.5% at the start of the following September.
  • $2,000 per child per year for children ages 6-10 years old;
  • $2,000 per child per year for disabled children ages 10-18.

Timeline & Process:
At the beginning of each Fall semester, the application for the childcare subsidy program for graduate students will open for all eligible graduate students.

  • Applicants will apply by completing the following Qualtrics survey linked in the official email announcement.
  • The deadline is January 10, 2025,  with a rolling deadline to follow until the end of the spring semester.
  • After the January 10th deadline, the eligible applicants will be notified via email, and their respective school’s financial aid office will distribute their funds through a check or direct deposit.

Application:
Our application link is now open for the 2024-2025 academic school year.

We will accept additional applications on a rolling basis after Friday, January 10, 2025 until the end of spring 2025. Please reach out to apgrad@bu.edu if you submit an application after the January 10th deadline.

Eligibility:

  • You must be a full-time PhD student or graduate student receiving a full-time stipend, be within your funding guarantee, and be in good academic standing at Boston University;
  • Combined household modified adjusted gross income must be $100,000 or less. Modified adjusted gross income is your household’s adjusted gross income with any tax-exempt interest income and certain deductions added back;
  • If both parents are Graduate Workers at Boston University, only one application per family may be submitted;
  • International Students in F-1 and J-1 non-immigrant status are eligible to apply.

Please be aware of the following if your application is accepted and you receive the subsidy:

  • Childcare stipends may affect student loan borrowing eligibility
    • We recommend connecting with your respective schools/colleges’ financial aid office for further consultation.
  • Childcare stipends may be considered taxable income

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact apgrad@bu.edu.