Oregon Student Aid — Oregon Student Child Care Grant

Oregon Student Aid, the state’s Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) within the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, administers the Oregon Student Child Care Grant. It is designed to help college students who are parents or legal guardians maintain child care while progressing through school. It is not available to every household with daycare costs: residency, the child’s age, an eligible provider, college enrollment, and academic progress all matter.

An applicant must live in Oregon and have a child or legal dependant age 12 or younger who needs care; an older dependant may qualify under the special-needs rules. Care must be provided by someone listed with the Oregon Department of Human Services or registered or certified by the Child Care Division. The applicant must be an undergraduate at an eligible Oregon postsecondary institution, have no bachelor’s degree, and maintain satisfactory academic progress; federal-loan default or an outstanding grant refund can also affect eligibility.

Each year requires two applications: the Child Care Grant form and FAFSA or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA), both submitted by the deadline. The 2026–27 round opened in mid-January and closed at the end of May 2026, so it is no longer open as of October 12. The page has not announced a date for the next cycle; email OSAC to ask when the calendar will be posted and prepare documents, but do not assume a new application has been filed.

Funding is limited, making the grant competitive. OSAC prioritises prior recipients who remain eligible; new applicants are ranked using earned credits, financial need from FAFSA or ORSAA, eligible child-care provider, and full-time enrollment. A half-time student must carry enough credits to reach 36 quarter credits or 24 semester credits during the year. Filing an application does not guarantee an award even when the household meets the basic rules.

The award uses the lower of actual care costs for children included in the application or average local rates, capped at $10,000 per academic year. Funds go to the institution’s financial-aid office and are credited to the student billing account; they are not paid directly to the student or child-care provider. The student remains responsible for paying the provider, so confirm disbursement dates and how to manage a delay between the bill and the grant.

Renewal requires a new application and FAFSA or ORSAA each year, satisfactory progress, continued enrollment at an eligible school, and at least 36 quarter credits or 24 semester credits across fall, winter, and spring. OSAC may request transcripts and proof that the child and provider still meet program rules. Eligibility lasts up to six years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever comes first. The grant cannot be received at the same time as Employment Related Day Care (ERDC); compare both routes with the agency before accepting payments.

<a data-profile="oregon-osac">OSAC publishes grant rules, the application window, and contact details</a>; <a data-profile="oregon-erdc">DELC explains the ERDC alternative, its requirements, and how to apply</a>. For the grant, email PublicPrograms@hecc.oregon.gov or call 541-687-7400, press 2; confirm the provider’s status before including it in your budget.

Who it serves and what it can cover: A competitive grant for Oregon students with eligible children or dependants who need child care. The award uses the lower of actual cost or local average rates, capped at $10,000 per academic year; funds are credited to the college account and the student pays the provider.

How to apply or get help: The 2026–27 application is closed. OSAC lists PublicPrograms@hecc.oregon.gov and 541-687-7400, press 2; ask about future calendars and documents. The page checked does not confirm the next date. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.

Official application and program information