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Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS) Program

The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program is a federal grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education to support student-parents. This program supports the participation of low-income students in postsecondary education who have children under the age of 12 or with special needs, through placement with and financial support for Child Care services and requires participation in educational workshops.  USCL, in partnership with First Steps of Lancaster, will identify potentially eligible student-parents, assist them in applying for the grant, and select recipients.  Those who are awarded will receive a CCAMPIS Stipend from USCL and First Steps to be paid directly to their Child Care service provider each month.  Services must be through an agency or individual contracted with First Steps of Lancaster.  

The CCAMPIS Grant program will be ending September 30th. No new applications are currently being accepted. 

 

CCAMPIS Provides Student-Parents with:

Financial Assistance with Child Care fees Workshops on topics such as parenting tips, stress management, child development, etc. Information about community resources and agencies

Applications are considered for Child Care assistance through CCAMPIS funding on the basis of eligibility status, financial income, need, resources, and family contribution levels.  *Participation is limited. We are unable to assist all those who apply.

Eligibility Guidelines: 

• Student must apply for initial eligibility
• Student must be degree seeking with USC Lancaster.
• Student must not have a prior bachelor’s degree.  They can have a prior associate degree or certificate. • Student must be at least half-time (6 credit hours or more per semester).
• Student must be the primary caretaker for a dependent child under the age of 12 or a dependent child over the age of 12 who has disabilities requiring constant care.  If married, both parents must sign statements indicating they are unable to care for the child during the hours the student is in classes.

• This program does not pay for private schooling or home-schooling. It is intended to pay for childcare during periods when the child would not be in public school.  As such, the student-parent must be enrolled in classes during periods when the child would not be in public schools.
• A FAFSA must be completed and on file with the Financial Aid and Veteran Affairs Office.
• Students must be receiving a PELL Grant, or be otherwise PELL Grant eligible, based on the Expected Family Contribution from the FAFSA. 
• International students may be eligible to receive CCAMPIS assistance pending verification of eligibility and adjusted gross income.  A copy of the most recent Federal 1040 filed is required, and the student must have an AGI of less than 1.5x the Poverty Level. A FAFSA Waiver is required.
• Child Care services must be contracted through First Steps of Lancaster.  
• Applicants must also apply for ABC Child Care Vouchers through First Steps, though they do not necessarily have to be eligible for that program to receive CCAMPIS. 

Program Expectations: 

• Participation in the First Steps “Incredible Years Parenting Program”.
• Attend at least one Student Parent Support Group each semester 
• Attend at least one academic counseling session each academic year 
• Pay monthly co-payment for Child Care provided, if unmet costs remain after grants.
• Maintain at least half-time enrollment.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined with Federal Student Aid requirements.

For questions, please contact the Financial Office at 803-313-7068

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