PhD Family Grants

This need-based program helps to offset the costs associated with purchasing childcare and related expenses for eligible PhD students with dependent children under the age of six (6).  Eligible PhD students may receive up to $2,500 for one child and $1,250 for each additional child, up to a maximum of $5,000 per family, per semester.

Awards are disbursed on a semesterly basis. Students who apply in the fall must submit updated documentation to be considered for a Spring grant, but do not have to submit a second full application. Full instructions below. 

Please read all guidelines carefully. No extensions or exceptions can be made for those who miss the deadline or do not meet eligibility criteria. 

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have one or more dependent child under age six (6) residing with them full-time during the period covered by the grant.  
  • Children must be born/adopted by November 30 for Fall applications. Children must be born/adopted by April 30 for Spring applications. 
  • Those expecting babies/children after the application deadline should still apply by the deadline then submit the proof of child documentation after the baby/child is born/adopted. Please indicate this late document in the application.  
     
• Remain enrolled and registered in a Penn PhD program and in good academic standing throughout the period covered by the grant.  
  • Students on approved family or medical leave who have an active aid profile for the current year and meet all other program criteria are eligible. 
  • Students on other leaves of absence are not eligible during the leave period. 
     
• Be in residency at Penn during the term in which they receive the grant. Students who are temporarily away from campus for academic research travel or coursework must be registered with the Penn travel registry or provide documentation that they are engaged in full time study while away from campus in order to be eligible.
   
• Be currently enrolled in years 1-8 of your PhD program or a stipend-supported PhD graduate worker covered by the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Pennsylvania and GETUP-UAW  at the time of application. 
  • Students enrolled in other research degree programs are not eligible.
  • Students enrolled in joint or dual degree programs must be actively registered in the PhD portion of their degree throughout the period covered by the grant.
     
• Have a combined total annual household income of $150,000 or less, demonstrated through required documentation. 
   
• Married and/or partnered Penn PhD students should submit only one application.

**Students with older children or incomes above stated thresholds who are experiencing financial hardship due to extenuating circumstances can reach out to grants team to discuss their eligibility for partial grants or other forms of assistance. 

• Grants are not guaranteed. Grants are disbursed as funding allows, with priority given to the students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.
   
• Grants are awarded on semester basis. You must reapply each semester. 
   
• Funds will be processed through your student account. This is a separate system from Workday. You must set up direct deposit in in PennPay via a U.S. bank, FlyWire, or PayMyTuition or a paper check will be mailed to the permanent address listed in your Penn Profile. 
   
• If you have an outstanding balance on your student account, the grant will be applied to your bill. Any remaining funds will be disbursed to you as a student account refund, leaving a zero balance on your student account. If you have outstanding charges in excess of the grant amount, the grant will apply to those charges, and no refund will be processed. 
   
• All University grants to individuals may be considered taxable income by the government. You are responsible for reporting the grant income and paying any applicable taxes.  Depending on your tax status, taxes may be withheld prior to the grant disbursement. Such taxes may be refunded when students file annual taxes with the IRS. The SFS website provides additional information regarding withholding taxes on grants and aid for non-U.S. citizens.  
   
• If you are receiving student loans or other forms of aid, this grant could reduce your loan amount or exceed your semester budget maximum. Students who are receiving funding up to or beyond their approved aid budget are responsible for contacting Student Financial Services to understand how receiving this grant may affect their aid package. There may be options available to you for a budget adjustment or other steps in order to receive all awarded funds, depending on your individual circumstances. Contact graduateaid@pobox.upenn.edu or schedule an appointment with a Graduate Financial Aid Counselor to discuss your account status.
   
• If you do not remain registered and in good academic standing during the period covered by the grant, some or all of the grant funds may be rescinded.
   
• Satisfaction of eligibility criteria will be verified prior to any grant approvals. This will be done through the appropriate University offices and individuals.. You are responsible for notifying us if your funding or status changes during the period covered by the grant. Failure to do so will result in grant funds being rescinded.
   
• If you provide false or misleading information or documentation in your grant application, the grant funds will be rescinded, and you will be referred to the Center for Community Standards and Accountability (CSA) for disciplinary action. This extends to the use of grant funds for purposes other than those specified.

Direct all questions to grad-grants@upenn.edu.

Submit the completed online application and all required documentation by the posted deadline. Incomplete forms, forms submitted without documentation, and forms submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

A complete application include:

• Insurance & Family Grants Online Application
  link will only work during application cycle period
   
• Required documentation uploaded into this online document submission form:
  Select the following options from the drop-down menus:
  • SRFS Office: “Financial Aid and Student Employment”
  • Document type: “Other Financial Aid Forms”

Please have digital copies (PDF or JPG only) of all relevant documentation ready before you begin the application. Failure to provide all necessary documentation will result in delays reviewing your application or rejection of application. You may be asked to provide additional documentation or information needed to evaluate your application. 

*We are committed to ensuring the security of your information. We have put in place reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards designed to prevent unauthorized access to, use, or retention of information collected online. All documentation is handled in accordance with the University's privacy policies.

Direct all questions to grad-grants@upenn.edu. 

Penn offers a number of funding sources to support individual students with financial need. These include:

The Family Resource Center

Penn offers all student parents access to the Family Resource Center, which includes a children’s playroom and family reading room, as well as a private and fully equipped lactation room (please note, lactation rooms are also available throughout campus). The Center is designed to provide a welcoming environment at the heart of campus, where families can meet each other, participate in activities, build networks across campus, and learn more about resources for schools, daycare, and other activities.

For additional information, visit the Family Resource Center website.

Centralized New Parent Accommodation and Family Leave Policies

Students in a Ph.D. program at Penn are eligible for eight weeks of time off (accommodation) for the birth or adoption of a child. They can also take an unpaid Family Leave of Absence for one or two semesters for the birth or adoption of a child, childcare, or to care for an immediate family member (spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent) with a serious health condition.

Find more information about Penn’s leave policies for Ph.D. student parents and access the Ph.D. Family Leave Request Form here.

Additional Support for Student Parents

Penn also provides subsidized backup care and family support resources and discounts for students with children so families can find the flexible childcare options they need. Resources include:

• Backup Child Care
  The University provides access to Backup Childcare Benefits for eligible full-time students enrolled in on-campus programs. To access the benefits, students must first join the Family Center. Learn more.
• Enhanced Family Supports 
  The University provides access to the following additional resources through Bright Horizons to all current students enrolled in on-campus programs who are Family Center members:
  • Preferred enrollment and waived registration fees at select Bright Horizons child care centers for full-time care
  • Tuition discounts are available at partner centers including Kindercare centers (10%).
  • Sittercity Membership, search for and hire caregivers, pet care, housekeepers and more for long term care needs
  • Discounted personalized nanny placement through Jovie
  • Discounted tutoring and test prep services through Varsity Tutors and Revolution Prep.
  • Discounted summer camp options: Bright Horizons is offering discounts at several quality summer camps where children can learn about nature, science, cooking, music and more.

Find more information about how to access these benefits on the Family Resource Center website.