Parenting Resources

Eligibility

1. Must be an MTSU student enrolled in at least 3 or more credit hours.
2. Must have a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Financial Aid and be Pell Grant eligible.
3. Must be the primary residential parent or court approved guardian of a child aged twelve years or younger or maintain 50/50 custody of a child aged twelve years or younger.
4. Must have dependent children enrolled or intend to enroll dependent children in a licensed childcare program and/or before/after school program.
5. Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 each semester or be a first-time applicant.
6. Must meet with Parenting Student Coordinator to review application in person or via Zoom, if you are a first-time recipient of the JAC Child Care Grant.

To apply

1. Submit the June Anderson Center Child Care Grant application and authorize the MTSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to release relevant confidential information.
2. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2022-23 award year.
3. If first-time recipient of the JAC Child Care Grant, submit birth certificate of child; or State of TN parenting plan; or power of attorney paperwork for care of your minor child.
   1. If out-of-state student, please contact the June Anderson Center.
4. Submit proof of enrollment (class schedule for upcoming term or registrar verification).
5. Submit a recent receipt or bank statement as proof of childcare/before and after school expense for each child.
6. If previous recipient of the JAC Child Care Grant, submit official MTSU transcript.
7. Applications will be reviewed after the submission deadline closes. First-time recipients of the JAC Child Care Grant will be contacted within one week to schedule a meeting with the Parenting Student Coordinator. Required documentation will be discussed during the meeting.

Selection Criteria (for administration)

1. Application process will remain open for 1 month.
2. Sliding scale award based on child’s age. Children younger than 6 and not enrolled in kindergarten will receive greater financial support. However, funding will be available for student parents with children 6-12 years of age that require before and after school care. This information will be obtained from the June Anderson Child Care Grant application.
3. Student parents with more than one child may be eligible for more financial support depending on the number of children and the ages of the children.
4. If enrolled in summer classes, student parents may use the grant for childcare, ESP programs, and/or summer camps.

Additional requirement of award recipients

1. During the Fall and Spring semesters, grant money can only be used for programs that are licensed under the Department of Human Services (DHS) or under the supervision of the Department of Education (DOE). Grant money cannot be given to family members, friends, or babysitters.
2. Grant money will not be available for children enrolled in Head Start, the TN Voluntary Pre-K Program, or the TN Integrated Pre-K program unless they require additional before/after school care.
3. Grant money may be applied towards the Boys and Girls Club of America and any alternative after school program that is approved by the Parenting Student Coordinator.

Special considerations

1. Student parents failing to meet semester GPA requirements may submit a one-time appeal for consideration in the event of exceptional circumstances. All exceptional circumstances must be documented. Appeals will only be considered if additional funds remain after the initial application cycle is complete.
2. Student parents whose appeal is denied, may reapply for the grant after waiting one academic year.