Rio Grande City, Texas— U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $3,991,988 for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s (UTRGV) student parent childcare program funded through the Department of Education’s Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program. The program will assist Pell-eligible student parents at UTRGV with childcare while they pursue their educational goals.

The program will provide childcare to approximately 190 children of Pell-eligible student parents at UTRGV. Nearly 85% of students at UTRGV who submitted a FAFSA are Pell-eligible.

“Because of this program, many young South Texans who would have otherwise dropped out of school, will now have the opportunity to graduate from college,” said Congressman Cuellar. “CCAMPIS allows parents to put their education first without putting their child second. As a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee, securing funding for the CCAMPIS program has been a priority of mine. In FY22, the program received $65 million in federal funding, a $10 million increase over the previous year. I want to thank President Bailey for his leadership at the head of UTRGV and for his continues support to his students.”

"Our Vaqueros are determined to overcome obstacles on the path to their degree and a good job, and a grant that helps us provide childcare services through our UTRGV Child Development Center can be a real game-changer for many," said UTRGV President Guy Bailey. "It can mean the difference between success and failure for our student parents. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Education and Congressman Cuellar for their ongoing support and generosity.”

On average, childcare costs for just one child range from $9,200 and $9,600 per year, and the costs are even higher for parents of infants and those living in urban areas. For many student parents, the lack of access to affordable childcare can be a tall hurdle to enrolling in college and crossing the finish line of graduation. As a result, student parents are less likely to earn college degrees and credentials than their peers who do not have children and are more likely to default on their loans.

In order to help more student parents graduate and earn credentials from institutions of higher education, Congress included the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program in the 1998 amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, with funding beginning in 1999. The CCAMPIS program provides grants to colleges and universities to support or establish campus-based childcare programs to meet the needs of low-income student parents enrolled on their campuses.


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