Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Announce Over $700,000 in Federal Funding to Help Student-Parents Access Child Care

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, David Trone, and Jamie B. Raskin (all D-Md.) announced $706,819 in federal grants for four Maryland institutions of higher education to assist student-parents in meeting their child care needs.

“When our students are set up for success, our entire community benefits. Too often, parents seeking to continue their education are held back by a lack of access to affordable child care,” said the lawmakers. “We recognize the challenges that student-parents face, and this funding will help them ensure their kids are cared for as they work toward a brighter future for themselves and their families.”

The federal grants have been awarded as follows:

• $348,687 for Bowie State University
• $122,592 for Hagerstown Community College
• $119,414 for Wor-Wic Community College
• $116,126 for Frederick Community College

The funds come from the U.S. Department of Education's Child Care Access Means Parents in School program, which supports low-income parents’ academic success in post-secondary education through the provision of campus-based or local community-based child care services. Funds can be used to support or establish campus-based child care programs primarily serving the needs of low-income student-parents, including before- and after-school services. The lawmakers fought for a $10 million increase in fiscal year 2022 for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program.