Family Resources

About

The Family Resource Center (FRC) at the University of Chicago is a welcoming space where families from the university community can access resources, information, and supportive programming and services. Since it was founded in 2006, the FRC has been a vibrant hub for graduate student and postdoc parents to network and engage with each other. Students can also join the Student Parent Listserv, a virtual resource where students can post questions and share advice with other UChicago parents. Or you can join the Student Parent Market listserv for student parents to buy, sell, give and donate their items.

Location and Hours of Operation

The FRC is located at 950 East 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637

Phone: 773-795-KIDS (5437)

The FRC is open starting Monday, January 24th.  The hours of operation remain the same as the fall quarter;  Monday – Friday 10a – 4p. In order to create and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for all FRC users in accordance with UChicago gathering guidelines, we will allow a maximum of 15 users at the FRC at any given time and will not permit eating or drinking in the FRC space. All caretakers and children above five years old are required to wear a mask and also must provide proof of full vaccination(s) plus a booster for adults, for entry to the FRC.  All children over the age of two years will be required to wear masks as well. We will reevaluate the City of Chicago and UChicago public health protocols and adjust FRC guidelines over the course of the winter quarter. 

We are dedicated to providing our FRC family with a safe and enjoyable space in which to gather, play and do activities together while maintaining social distancing. Guidelines for safely gathering at the FRC are based on the university’s public safety policies for non-instructional meetings.

Announcements and Programs

• To avoid concentrated gatherings, we are not offering in-person classes yet. As an alternative, we’ve designed a daily craft and activity in the art room.
• We’ve uploaded recordings of last year’s Zoom classes. Click the “Autumn Quarter” or “Winter Quarter” tabs to access the videos.

Policies, Procedures, and Required Forms

FRC membership is free for all university-affiliated families.

All families must register with the Family Resource Center and submit the mandatory Consent and Release form found here.

At least one UChicago-affiliated family member per family will be required annually to come to the FRC to present a valid university ID card, fill out membership renewal forms, and participate in an orientation session, which will include an overview of FRC policies and procedures (available also in Spanish).

Parent Resource Guide

Download the 2020-2021 Remote Resource Guide. This guide offers remote resources for parenting in the pandemic.

The University of Chicago offers need-based, annual child care stipends in the amount of $2,000 per year to eligible PhD student applicants. While not covering the bulk of child care expenses, these stipends are intended to help alleviate some of the financial hardship our student parents face while allowing them flexibility to tailor child care to their needs. Priority will be given to eligible applicants with the greatest need.

Application Process

Applications are accepted quarterly. One application per family will be considered. Application deadlines are 5:00 p.m CST on the following dates:

• Summer quarter:  June 25, 2021
• Fall quarter : October 1, 2021
• Winter quarter: January 14, 2022
• Spring quarter: March 25, 2022

Incomplete applications and applications received after the 5:00 p.m. deadline will not be considered until the following deadline. Applicants are expected to provide information that is true, complete, and given in good faith. Applicants who falsify any information or supporting documentation will be required to pay back the stipend in full, will be deemed ineligible for future stipend awards, and will be referred for area disciplinary action. Students must apply annually and receiving the stipend in a previous academic year does not guarantee future support.

Submit an application here. All applications must be submitted via the secure online portal.

Eligibility

One application per family will be considered, and students of any citizenship may apply. Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria below may apply, but applicants with the greatest need will be given preference. Students must apply annually and receiving the stipend previously does not guarantee future support. Child Care Stipend applicants must:

• Have dependent child(ren) born on or after July 1, 2011;
• Be registered in the quarter in which you receive the stipend, as a full-time UChicago PhD student in good academic standing;
• Be in good academic standing; and
• Hold valid visa and be eligible to receive income at the time of award (if applicable).

For security reasons we cannot accept applications via e-mail. Submit completed applications via our secure portal.

Information for Awardees

Stipend payments are taxable to the recipient, and depending on the student’s immigration status, the University may have a legal obligation to withhold income taxes from the payment and report it. Recipients should consult a tax advisor for an understanding of their reporting obligations to the IRS. In order to receive the stipend, domestic students may be asked to provide copies of the Form W-9 and foreign students may be asked to provide copies of Form W-8, Form UPP-192, I-94 cards, and Form DS-2019. Child care stipends may also affect student loan borrowing eligibility, and awardees should consult Student Loan Administration with questions related to student loans. Stipend recipients who do not provide appropriate documentation when requested will forfeit their awards.

Questions

Contact Lizanne Phalen with questions.