Along with the joys of parenting, graduate students and postdocs with children or dependents face unique pressures and demands on their time. UChicagoGRAD Parenting Community supports families via enrichment programming, information sharing and building connections between fellow parents.  While many programs are designed specifically for student and postdoc parents, others welcome all university affiliated families.  Autumn Quarter offerings are two are weekly children’s enrichment classes and monthly family mixers. Student Parent Write-Ins will be hosted in November and December. Events are held at various campus and Hyde Park locations.  For all programming details and to receive sign-up invitations, subscribe to the StudentParent Listserv. And read on to see our Autumn Programming Schedule and learn about UChicago Child Care Resources, the Student Parent Market, and our PhD Child Care Stipend Application.

Autumn Programming Schedule

“Crafternoons”
Tuesdays, October 1–December 17, 3:30–4:30 p.m., UChicagoGRAD Conference Room (970 E. 58th Street, 3rd Floor)

Musical Storytime
Thursdays, October 10–December 19 (except Thanksgiving, November 28), 10:30–11:15 a.m., Campus Bookstore (970 E. 58th Street, 2nd Floor)

Monthly Family Mixer
Saturday, October 19, 3:00–5:00 p.m., UChicagoGRAD Lounge (970 E. 58th Street, 4th Floor)

Halloween Trick-or-Treating Parade
Thursday, October 31, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Location and Route TBD

UChicago Child Care Resources

Student Parent Market

Join the Student Parent Market listserv for student parents to buy, sell, give and and donate their items. This list is intended to separate such posts from all other family related announcements, and queries.

PhD Child Care Stipend Application

The University of Chicago offers need-based, annual child care stipends 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. The autumn application will open on Thursday, September 12 at 7:00am CT. 

Apply here

Application Process

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

  • Autumn: October 4, 2024
  • Winter: January 10, 2025
  • Spring: March 28, 2025

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 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.

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, 2013;
  • Have gross family income of $100,000 or less (this includes spouse/partner income);
  • Be registered in the quarter in which you receive the stipend, as a full-time UChicago PhD student in good academic standing; and
  • For non-U.S. citizens: Hold valid visa and be eligible to receive income at the time of award.

For security reasons we cannot accept applications via e-mail.

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?

Please reach out to Graduate Administrative Services at gradhelp@uchicago.edu