Child Care Subsidy for Faculty, Staff, and Postdoctoral Research Associates

Brown University's Child Care Subsidy helps eligible employees with the costs of child care expenses for eligible dependents ages 0 to 6.  The subsidy grants a potential maximum yearly  award of $1,000-$4,000.  

Calendar year 2024 applications open on September 18, 2023. Eligible employees should complete and submit a child care subsidy application and supporting documentation by October 20, 2023. Completed applications should be emailed to [email protected] (please send securely via Virtru). 

Applications received after the deadline will only be accepted if funds have not been exhausted. Employees who meet eligibility criteria and apply for an award after the mid-October deadline, either before December 31, 2023 or within the next calendar year (January-December 2024), can apply for the subsidy once their child is enrolled in child care. Depending on when the application is received, awards may be prorated.   

Eligibility

  • You are a benefits-eligible faculty, non-union staff, union Dining Services, union Facilities Management, union Library, or a postdoctoral research associate working at least 67% time.
  • You have a legal dependent between the ages of 0 and 6 for whom you are financially responsible for in the upcoming year.
  • You had a total household adjusted gross income of less than or equal to $130,000 in calendar year 2022.
  • You are unmarried, or have a spouse who meets one of the criteria below:
    • Employed at least part-time
    • A full-time student
    • Considered legally disabled
    • Unemployed, but actively seeking employment

Application Components

  • Completed 2024 Application form  
  • Supporting documents
    • The first two pages of your IRS form 1040 from 2022 and the first two pages of form 1040 for your spouse, if filed separately. 
    • A copy of a birth certificate or certificate of adoption for the child(ren) receiving the subsidy if not already filed in Workday.
    • Work visa, if applicable, for a spouse who is unemployed but actively seeking employment.

Disbursement

University employees who are approved for a Child Care Subsidy award will receive funds in January and July 2024. Employees can choose to receive their award in one of two ways:

  • Tax-Free Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account: Please note: the IRS limits total annual contributions to a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account from all sources to $5,000. Learn more about Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
  • Taxable check: All subsidy awards approved after Open Enrollment in November will be processed as taxable checks.

Frequently Asked Questions


Email [email protected] with questions.