Important news for single moms pursuing a degree at VCU

United Way program provides full funding for child care at the Child Development Center for qualified applicants. Apply by May 31, 2022.

A smiling child in the outdoor playground at the Child Development Center.
In this undated photo, children play in the outdoor playground at VCU's Child Development Center. Under a collaboration between the center and the United Way’s WomenRise program, qualified student mothers enrolled at VCU will receive full child care funding for enrollment at the center from August 2022 to July 2023. (File photo, School of Education)

Are you a single mom who is juggling going to school and the expense of child care?

The United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg is collaborating with the Child Development Center at Virginia Commonwealth University to provide full child care funding for qualified students.

The United Way’s WomenRise program will provide scholarships to cover the cost of child care for single moms who are working toward a degree and who use a licensed or regulated child care provider. If chosen, new or current Pell-eligible student mothers (FAFSA EFC of $5,846 or less) who are enrolled at VCU will receive FULL child care funding for enrollment of children ages 16 months to 5 years at the center from August 2022 to July 2023, and PELL parents only pay $400 monthly.

All applicants must be a single female head of household with custody of at least one child and live in the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg region (Charles City County, Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie County, Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, New Kent County, Petersburg, Powhatan County, Richmond).

Apply today! Applications are due by May 31, 2022. Visit https://bit.ly/WomenRise-Apply to learn more and to view the application. Questions? Email Heather Farber, manager of leadership giving, at farberh@yourunitedway.org.

About the VCU Child Development Center

Part of the VCU School of Education, the VCU Child Development Center is a nationally accredited program and engages children in activities and experiences that help them develop cognitively, physically, socially and emotionally. All of the lead teachers hold bachelor’s degrees that include coursework in early childhood education.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It provides breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. For more information about the center, including monthly tuition rates and how to complete a waitlist application, please visit the website at https://cdc.soe.vcu.edu/.