Fernandina Observer: FSCJ Receives United States Department of Education Grant to Support Students’ Access to Affordable Child Care

Link to article: https://fernandinaobserver.com/uncategorized/fscj-receives-united-states-department-of-education-grant-to-support-students-access-to-affordable-child-care/

FSCJ Receives United States Department of Education Grant to Support Students’ Access to Affordable Child Care

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) was recently awarded the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant from the United States Department of Education (USDOE). Beginning October 1, 2018, this four-year grant, titled FSCJ CCAMPIS-Urban Core, will provide child care scholarship funds to low-income FSCJ students who are parents.

Over the grant period, FSCJ is projected to receive the total award potential of $460,556 for child care services. Aside from the financial support it will offer, the program will also provide students and their children with enriching, high-quality learning and developmental experiences in a safe, reputable child care facility.

Utilizing FSCJ’s existing infrastructure and resources in conjunction with child care scholarships, the services will be provided at the existing on-campus child care center located at FSCJ’s Downtown Campus, the Chappell School.

The project will serve 50 full- and part-time students annually with a total of 70 students who will be served over the four-year project period. The program will allow the student parents to focus on their education, and their child’s well-being, without the financial and emotional impact associated with finding quality child care. For this reason, the project anticipates an 80 percent retention rate and an 80 percent graduation/transfer rate of participants.

Additionally, supplemental support services will be provided for CCAMPIS participants including parenting workshops, case management support and a standing annual meeting with the Dean of Education in order to track their progress.

Participating parents will provide co-payments for child care based on a sliding scale which includes family size and income after allowable and verified deductions, such as medical premiums. The payment amounts will be based on the state of Florida’s most recent state median income guidelines.

“We are excited for this CCAMPIS grant because we know it will be an invaluable benefit for many of our students and their children. By removing the stress associated with finding, and paying for, a place to entrust with their child’s care while they are pursuing postsecondary education, these students will be better positioned to achieve their educational goals,” said FSCJ Interim President Kevin E. Hyde. “This is just one more example of how FSCJ is finding ways to educate our community no matter what limitations or barriers to education one might have.”

Applications for the CCAMPIS scholarship will be accepted beginning October 1, 2018, for the Spring 2019 Term. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis into the first months of the term.

Eligibility requirements include: 1) applicant must be a United States citizen, national, refugee alien or permanent resident alien at the time of application; 2) demonstrated financial need as defined by the U.S. Department of Education rules for Financial Aid; 3) enrolled full- or part-time in the College’s associate degree or technical certificate programs in the current or upcoming term; and 4) demonstrated academic potential as evidenced by a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 in college coursework or high school coursework.

To apply, students should visit fscj.edu/scholarships beginning October 1, 2018, and complete the sign up form. After signing up on the site, interested applicants should select the Spring Childcare Grant Application for completion. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in addition to providing a recent grade report. Questions regarding the application process may be sent to scholarships@fscj.edu.

Interested students who would like to learn more about the scholarship should contact Dean of Education and Human Services Dr. Tiffany Hunter at tiffany.hunter@fscj.edu or (904) 633-8182.