Grants to Pay for Child Care

Parents that need to work or are attending college rely on child care to look after their children when they cannot do so themselves. With child care costs rising, ranging from around $3,900 to $11,700 per year in 2012, according to U.S. News and World Report, you might find yourself struggling to make ends meet. You could be eligible for a grant that will assist you with these costs.

Child care grants are available to eligible families through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care. These federal grants help those families to be able to afford child care, so the parents can continue with their education or keep working.

In order to receive a federal child care grant, interested families must meet certain eligibility requirements within the state in which they reside. Generally, family size, income and employment or college enrollment are taken into consideration.

To apply for a federal grant, you can call or visit your local state agency that administers federal child care grants. You can find out where your state agency is located by visiting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care website. During the application process, you'll likely be asked to provide certain paperwork, such as proof of identity and income verification.