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.

Read our October 2024 newsletter!

Autumn Programming Schedule

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)

Laura shares stories and songs on a theme, along with percussion instruments and the occasional prop or puppet friend. Target age is 2-5, but all are welcome. You may leave strollers downstairs, or use the elevator and knock on the 2nd floor door. Thanks to our kind hosts, Follet Books.

“Crafternoons”
Fridays, November 1–December 13, 3:30–4:30 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ (970 E. 58th Street, 3rd Floor)

All ages are welcome.  There will be a simple craft, along with a coloring corner, toys for pre-crafters, and coffee and snacks for all. Sorry, no crafts November 8 or 29.

Monthly Family Mixer
Saturday, November 23, 3:00–5:00 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ, 970 E. 58th Street, 3rd Floor

Halloween Trick-or-Treating Parade
Thursday, October 31, 3:30–5:00 p.m., WSSC Lobby, 950 E 61st St
Wear your costumes and bring your candy bags or buckets to visit UChicago offices with your Parenting Community Friends!  Beginning in the WSSC Lobby, 950 E 61st St, then ending in the Crown Family School Lobby, 969 E. 60th, for snacks and pumpkin painting. RSVP requested Lmacgregor@uchicago.edu

Student-Parent Write Ins (Register here for November 2!)
Saturdays, November 2 and December 7 UChicaogoGRAD Lounge,  970 E. 58th Street, 4rd Floor

For graduate students —work on academic writing or coursework while we watch your child(ren) in an adjoining space. For children 6 months and older. (December registration opens in mid November.)

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 winter application will open in December 2024, exact date TBD.

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