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What is “Spartan Kids”?
“Spartan Kids” is a childcare grant that reduces the cost of childcare for Michigan State University students. It is a grant that was received from the United States Department of Education and began November 1st, 2005.

How do I qualify for “Spartan Kids”?
You must be a domestic undergraduate student at Michigan State University who receives or is eligible for the Pell-grant on your Financial Aid Package and provide proof of this at the time of application. You must be willing to use one of the childcare providers, contracted with the “Spartan Kids” program.

How do I apply for “Spartan Kids”?
1. Download an application from here, complete it and then;

2. Call the Family Resource Center at (517) 432-3745 to make an appointment.

3. Bring the application as well as proof of Pell-grant eligibility (a copy of your financial aid record from STU-INFO is acceptable) to your appointment.

What will I be eligible for?
If you are a domestic undergraduate student that is Pell-Grant eligible you will be eligible to receive: $2,500 worth of childcare per child in the family at one of the contracted Spartan Kids locations. This translates into 625 hours of free childcare.

Currently this is a one-time only grant, available for you to disburse over one or several semesters, depending on your childcare needs.

How do I use the “Spartan Kids” program?
After applying for “Spartan Kids” and receiving a Confirmation of Approval form, you may then contact the locations that will be provided to you on a provider information sheet. You will identify yourself as a “Spartan Kids” program recipient interested in arranging childcare.

If the provider has space available, you may choose to visit that provider to ensure that the program will be a good match for your family. Then you will come to an agreement with the childcare provider about your schedule and fill out the necessary emergency contact forms and provider rules and policy forms.

If the provider does not have space available, the provider will write down your information and add you to a waiting list. You will be contacted when space becomes available. It is recommended that you try several locations - one may have a long waiting list while the other may have immediate openings.

Additional things to be aware of:
Even though you may have filled out an application and are eligible to use services, it does not guarantee that space will be available for the days and times that you need it. Space for alternative times may be available and you may wish to reconsider the times of your courses. Or you may choose to wait until space becomes available during the time that you need it.

To keep things running smoothly, the FRC recommends that you:
-Be respectful of provider policies and rules
-Communicate with your childcare provider about appointments, illnesses, schedule changes, etc.
-Drop your child off and pick them up at the scheduled times

If you arrange childcare for a certain time and do not bring your child, you may incur fees of up to $4.00 per hour. If you drop off your child early or pick them up late, you may incur additional fees as well. It will be up to the provider to decide what those fees and consequences will be. If problems continue, you may be removed from the program.

The Family Resource Center sincerely hopes that this program will be able to assist you in paying for your childcare expenses. If you have any questions or concerns as a potential or current applicant, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are located in the Nisbet Building on campus at MSU. Please park in the staff/faculty area of the parking lot, you will not be ticketed. Call 517-432-3745.