PhD Family Grants

2024-25 Family Grant Deadline: September 20 by 5pm ET

This need-based grant programs helps to offset the costs associated with purchasing childcare and related expenses for PhD students with dependent children. 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. The Fall application period is intended to provide funding for both fall and spring semesters, with a maximum annual grant of $10,000. December graduates applying in the fall are eligible for a maximum grant of up to $5,000 per family. 

Students who miss the fall deadline or who experience a qualifying life event can apply in the Spring semester to be eligible for  up to $2500 for one child and $1,250 for each additional child, up to a maximum of $5000 per family. Students who applied for or received a Fall grant and do not experience a qualifying life change should not reapply in the Spring.

Application Cycle Dates

2024-25 Academic Year and Fall Semester Family Grants
Application opens: August 19 | Deadline: September 20 at 5:00PM ET
Notifications: mid- to late- October
For 2024-25 Academic Year and Fall 2024 childcare and related family costs.

2025 Spring Family Grants
Application Cycle: January - mid-February, Dates TBD
Notifications: mid- to late-March
For new costs due to change in funding status or qualifying life event -- new child, marriage, etc. -- for the Spring semester.
 

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 children under the age of 18 or disabled child living with them.

  • Fall applicants must have their baby/child by December 16 and spring applicants must have their baby/child by April 20, 2025.

  • Those who are expecting to have or adopt a child within the current semester but after the application deadline should submit an application with all available documentation and indicate in the application an estimated date at which you will submit proof of child documentation after the baby is born or adopted. Grant funds will be disbursed after such documentation has been reviewed.

• Be currently registered in a Penn PhD program and in good academic standing throughout the period covered by the grant.  

  • Students on leave (except family or medical leave) during either semester are not eligible.

  • Students enrolled in professional doctorate and other non-PhD doctoral 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. 
     

• Be enrolled in years 1-8. Students in year 9 or beyond are not eligible.

• Students who receive full year / AY grants during the fall term are not eligible to reapply during the spring cycle unless they welcomed a new child after December 15 or experienced a qualifying life event, such as welcoming marriage, divorce, change in funding/employment status.

Below are the required documentation* items that must be submitted in addition to an online application (see How to Apply below). Please have all of your documents ready before you begin the application. If you are unable to provide a required document you must provide a written explanation of its absence in the online application for consideration by the grant review committee. 

• Copies of the 2023 U.S. tax returns for student and spouse (if filing separately).

• 2023/2024 W2s for student and spouse/partner. (instructions for accessing Penn W2s are available here)

  • Fall applicants should submit 2023 W2s, Spring applicants submit 2024 W2s

• Copies of the two most recent payment stubs for all paid positions, both on- and off-campus, for all working adults in the household. (Stipend and campus employment pay stubs can be found in Workday.) 

• If applicable, proof of tuition or childcare expenses for dependents, in the form of daycare/childcare invoices, cancelled checks, and/or money transfer receipts to caregivers. 
  Documentation is required only if a childcare related expense is listed on the application.

• Documentation that you have child(ren). This documentation can include one of the following:

  • your tax returns if you've claimed the child(ren) as dependents;

  • a copy of the child(ren)'s birth certificate(s) or U.S. passport(s);

  • copy of the Dependent I-20 or DS2019 forms;

  • health insurance documents.

• Documentation of any other major costs or expenses reported in your application, as relevant.

All documentation will be handled in accordance with the University's privacy policies.

Before you apply, you should know:

• Grants are not guaranteed. Grants are disbursed as funding allows, with priority given to the students who demonstrate the highest financial need. (Do note, due to the economic impact of COVID-19, we are anticipating a larger pool of high-need applicants, as a result, families with higher household incomes may not receive awards as they have in previous grant cycles.) 
   
• Grants are awarded in the range of $500-$5,000 per semester. (Families with higher household income and assets may receive grants less than the maximum award amount.)
  • Academic Year Grants (fall application): $5,000 for one child, $2,500 for each additional child with a $10,000 maximum per family.
  • Semester (Fall/Spring only) Grants: $2,500 for one child, $1,250 for each additional child with a $5,000 maximum per family.
     
• Married and/or partnered PhD students should submit only one application.
   
• Grants are awarded annually, and you must reapply each year.
   
• Academic Year and Fall Semester-only grant recipients are typically notified by late October, with funds disbursed in November. Spring semester grant recipients will be notified by mid-March and funds will be disbursed in late March to early April. 
   
• Funds will be processed through your student account. This is a separate system from Workday. You must 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 in good academic standing during the period covered by the grant, some or all of the grant funds may be rescinded.
   
• Applicant funding status and fellowship stipend amounts will be verified with graduate groups and school finance administrators. You are responsible for notifying us if your funding 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. 

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:

• PhD Grants Online Application (used for all Provost-funded PhD insurance and family grants) 
   
• Required documentation uploaded into this online document submission form:
  Select "PhD Grant Application" in the drop-down menu.
  • Copies of the 2022 U.S. tax returns and 2022/2023 W2s for student and spouse/partner (if filing separately). (instructions for accessing Penn W2s are available here)
    • Fall applicants should submit 2022 W2s; Spring applicants submit 2023 W2s
       
  • Copies of the two most recent payment stubs for all paid positions, both on- and off-campus, for all working adults in the household. (Stipend and campus employment pay stubs can be found in Workday.) 
     
  • Documentation of tuition, childcare, and other major family expenses reported in your application, as relevant (examples here).
     
  • Documentation that you have child(ren). (examples here)

Please have digital copies 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, or use of, the information collected online. 

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

Read how Penn respects and protects your data. 

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.