Childcare can be an obstacle to continuing one’s college education. To help offset some of those costs Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) will be providing childcare assistance grants to qualified students to assist with the cost of childcare.

The grant will be distributed as a one-time payment beginning Sept. 7. The Wyoming Department of Family Services is the sponsoring agency for these grants.

Grants are available to students enrolled in an EWC degree or certificate program for the fall 2022 semester. The grants are available to citizens, non-citizens, and international students. The student can be enrolled in online, hybrid, or in-person classes.

Students experiencing underemployment, unemployment, reduced college course load, reduced credits earned in prior academic term, at risk of reduced credits in the upcoming academic term, or unable to attend school because of childcare costs are prohibitive are eligible to take advantage of this grant.

“We are so excited to be partnering with the Wyoming Department of Family Services to provide this assistance to our students who are concerned with the cost of childcare,” said Tami Afdahl, Vice President for Student Services. “Opportunities like this can help ease the burden so that students can focus on their success in the classroom.”

Students need to apply using the EWC Emergency Childcare Assistance Grant application by visiting ewc.wy.edu and click on Emergency Childcare Assistance Grant. The applications will be available on Aug. 22. Awards will be given out beginning on Sept. 7.

Grant amounts will be based on student’s enrollment level at the time of the awarding of the grant. Funding is limited and awards will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis as long as funding is available.

For more information, visit ewc.wy.edu and click on Emergency Childcare Assistance Grant or contact Tami Afdahl at 307-532-8257.