The purpose of the Childcare Grant (Student-Parent or Guardian Participation in Extracurricular Academic Activities) is to help graduate student parents and guardians pursue academic interests at related events outside of regular childcare hours. The grant helps defray the costs of childcare for parents attending academic events.

Students may apply for one or more grants up to a maximum of $1000 per student, per GSA fiscal year (01 May to 30 April) to offset the costs of childcare. Grants operate on a reimbursement basis after the childcare has been provided. However, applications may occur in advance to obtain approval for the grant. 

Grant application forms must include: a brief description of the event and a brief justification for the event’s relevance to the applicant’s academic life, a copy of the applicant’s ID, and a copy of the ID for each child (such as a provincial health card or birth certificate).

The grant does not cover childcare during regular childcare hours or the child’s regular school hours, nor for childcare for ongoing seminars, classes, or courses that are part of the student parent’s or guardian’s degree (occasional activities only). The grant is also not be awarded for childcare that may be covered by the collective agreement between CUPE 4600 and Carleton University, or by the GSA Travel Grant.