The Childcare Assistance Program (CAP) scholarship reimburses parenting students for a portion of their eligible child care expenses during fall and spring semester while they are attending classes at Iowa State University. There are two types of CAP scholarship: CAP-U is for undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and CAP-G is for graduate, professional students, and international undergraduate students.

  • Toddler preparing to go down a slide

    CAP-U

    CAP-U is for undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
    Learn about the eligibility requirements and application process.

    Learn About CAP-U
  • School age boys playing at LEGO table

    CAP-G

    CAP-G is for graduate, professional, and international undergraduate students.
    Learn about the eligibility requirements and application process.

    Learn About CAP-G

Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions and answers apply to both CAP-U and CAP-G scholarships.

Students must utilize paid child care services to claim their scholarship and will be required to provide a signed receipt prior to release of the scholarship award each semester. Child care services may be provided by one or a combination of any of the following:

  • Licensed centers and preschools
  • Registered family child care homes
  • Non-registered family child care homes
  • Nanny or babysitter (family member and/or friend IS allowed)

Care provided by a custodial parent does not qualify.

No, CAP scholarships are a form of reimbursement for child care expenses. You must first pay for child care services and then submit required paperwork to receive your scholarship award. See "How do I claim my scholarship?" below to learn about the required paperwork.

The amount you are awarded is the maximum amount you can receive for each semester. If your child care expenses are MORE than the amount you were awarded, you will be reimbursed only for the amount of your award.

If a your child care expenses are LESS than the amount you were awarded for a semester, your award will be reduced to equal the actual amount paid for child care services during that semester.

  • Once your out-of-pocket expenses for child care services meet or exceed your award amount for the semester, complete the CAP Receipt for Child Care Services form.
    • Fall Semester: expenses must be for child care services provided between August 1 and December 31
    • Spring Semester: expenses must be for child care services provided between January 1 and May 31
  • Ask your child care provider to sign and date the form. The date of signature cannot be before the last date of care noted on your receipt.
  • Email the completed form to ccfamily@iastate.edu.

Scholarship awards are processed on specific dates, twice each fall and spring semesters. See below for the processing dates for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 scholarships. Your scholarship should appear on your U-Bill 7-10 business days after the applicable processing date.

  • Fall 2025: Receipts submitted before October 17, 2025 will be processed the week of October 20th. Receipts submitted after October 17, 2025 will be processed the week of January 12th.
  • Spring 2026: Receipts submitted before March 6, 2026 will be processed the week of March 9th. Receipts submitted after March 6, 2026 will be processed the week of June 8th.

Possibly! Federal financial aid regulations allow ISU to include an allowance for dependent child care expenses in the your cost of attendance. By increasing the amount of your cost of attendance, you may create room in your financial aid package for a CAP scholarship. Learn more about applying for a Cost of Attendance Adjustment.