College receives grant to help students cover child care costs

The U.S. Department of Education awarded a $96,099 grant to Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Dunham Children’s Learning Center to help reduce fees for eligible students whose children are enrolled at the early childhood education facility in 2023-24.

The CCAMPIS grant (Child Care Access Means Parents in School) helps the Children’s Learning Center provide discounts to Penn College students whose income makes them eligible for Federal Pell Grants. Reductions typically range from 25% to 75% of the Children’s Learning Center fees, based on a student’s income as reported to the college’s Financial Aid Office.

In addition to the Department of Education’s contribution, the college has budgeted a $257,032 match to ensure the sliding fee scale is available to every eligible student who applies.

For Fall 2023, 16 students are benefiting from the sliding fee scale, allowing them to attend classes with peace of mind that their children are safe on campus and receiving a high-quality early childhood education experience.

Part of the CCAMPIS grant is also used to help fund a teacher assistant, who travels to each classroom one day per week to allow teachers to have uninterrupted planning and documentation time to meet accreditation standards.

The Children’s Learning Center at Penn College is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It holds the highest rating – four stars – from the Pennsylvania Keystone Stars program.

For more information about grant-funding opportunities, faculty and staff may contact Grants & Sponsored Programs at ext. 7580 or through its Web portal.

To learn more about the Dunham Children’s Learning Center, call 570-320-8026.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.