WASHINGTON, D.C. — Low-income college students with children could receive expanded access to campus child care services under a new federal grant competition announced for fiscal year 2026.
What This Means for You
- Student parents may get more affordable child care on campus
- Federal agencies are coordinating to streamline how grants are managed
- Colleges can apply for funding to support child care services for students
The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services announced the latest round of the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program, known as CCAMPIS, which provides funding to colleges and universities to support campus-based child care.
The announcement marks the first grant competition under a new partnership between the two agencies.
How the Program Works
CCAMPIS grants help schools provide child care services to low-income student parents, allowing them to continue their education while balancing caregiving responsibilities.
Under the new arrangement, HHS will take a larger role in administering the program. The agency already oversees major federal child care initiatives, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant.
Officials said the partnership is intended to centralize child care-related programs and improve how funding is distributed.
Shift in Oversight
As part of the agreement, HHS will manage grant funding through its GrantSolutions platform, a federal system used to process and track grant awards.
The partnership is structured as an Interagency Agreement — a formal arrangement that allows federal agencies to share resources and coordinate services more efficiently.
HHS will also provide technical support to participating schools and align CCAMPIS with other child care programs it administers.
Support for Student Parents
Federal officials said the program is designed to address the challenges faced by students who are also caregivers.
“Student parents often balance postsecondary education and caregiving responsibilities,” said Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education David Barker. “Through our partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, we are supporting campus-based child care services that assist students in pursuing and completing their postsecondary education.”
Alex J. Adams, assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families at HHS, said the effort is focused on expanding access.
“We are ensuring families have access to child care options that meet their needs to accelerate their education and economic success,” Adams said.
Broader Federal Changes
The new partnership follows a series of interagency agreements announced in November 2025 aimed at improving how federal education programs are delivered.
Officials said the changes are part of a broader effort to streamline operations and ensure resources reach students more efficiently.
Next Steps
Colleges and universities can apply for CCAMPIS funding through the federal grants portal at https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361967.
Federal agencies said additional guidance will be provided to applicants as the program is implemented.
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