#  Child Care Support 

 



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## GSAS Parental Accommodation and Financial Support (PAFS)

Students of any gender enrolled in GSAS PhD programs are eligible for the [Parental Accommodation and Financial Support (PAFS)](https://gsas.harvard.edu/policy/parental-accommodation-and-financial-support-pafs) program following a childbirth or adoption event.  
  
Eligible GSAS PhD students receive a one-time supplemental stipend payment. This funding is intended to help with the additional expenses associated with a childbirth or adoption event. For the 2024 - 2025 academic year, the award amount is $7,319.

## HU & HGSU Child Care Subsidy

The contract between Harvard University and the Harvard Graduate Students Union (HGSU-UAW) Local 5118 establishes a fund of $830,000 annually to subsidize the costs of childcare expenses of eligible salaried student workers. [Read more on how to apply.](https://harvardgradunion.org/childcare-fund/)

## OGE PhD Child Care Scholarship

### Eligibility:

- Be a registered student in one of the six HMS OGE PhD Programs, in good academic standing.
- Have one or more children under the age of 12.
    - Note: the scholarship is per family, not per child.
- Have children who must:
    - Be your legal dependent.
    - Live with you in the United States.
- Have a total household income below $150,000.
    - If your total household income is above $150,000, you can still apply, but depending on the availability of funding, you may not receive the scholarship.
- Students are eligible to receive the award for a maximum of five years.
- Those who will be having a child during the academic year are eligible to apply. Please list due date in date of birth field. Due date will determine eligibility for each semester’s scholarship.
- Those defending during the award year may not be eligible for the entire annual scholarship. Funding will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

### What we require:

- [Completed Form](https://ogephd.hms.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum3501/files/2025-09/DMS%20Childcare%20Scholarship%20Application%202025.pdf)
- Submit application by email to: [nikki\_crouse@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:nikki_crouse@hms.harvard.edu)

## NIH Childcare Support

For students being paid from a T32 or F31 grant, NIH offers up to $2,500 in support for qualified childcare costs provided by a licensed childcare provider during the term of appointment. Childcare is supported for children up to age 13 (age 18 for children who are disabled). Contact [dms\_accounting@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:dms_accounting@hms.harvard.edu) if you think you qualify.

## Other Resources for Student Parents

[**Harvard GSAS Student-Parents Organization**](https://engage.gsas.harvard.edu/organization/hgspo)  
Provide a supportive community for fellow graduate students with children and host a variety of community-building events and initiatives.

[**Harvard Student Spouses and Partners Association**](https://hsspa.harvard.edu/)  
Promotes social fellowship and intellectual enrichment.

[**WATCH (Web Access to Care at Harvard) Portal**](https://www.watch.harvard.edu/)  
Connects student parents with providers of long- and short-term childcare, including occasional babysitting.

[**Office of Work/Life**](https://gsas.harvard.edu/resource/office-worklife)  
The Office of Work/Life administers a variety of programs that provide support to the University’s graduate students, staff, and faculty.

[**Child Care Centers that are Harvard Affiliated (Cambridge and Longwood)**](https://hr.harvard.edu/finding-child-care)   
The [ChildCare@Harvard](https://hr.harvard.edu/finding-child-care) website has a lot of information regarding what to ask and what to look for when you are looking for childcare.

[**Care.com**](https://gsas.harvard.edu/resource/carecom)  
Care.com allows families to search for, vet, connect with, and ultimately select caregivers in a low-cost, reliable, and easy way. The site helps parents identify babysitters, nannies, childcare centers, family day care, camps, tutors, and special needs providers.