News Center

Published July 17, 2020

For more about CCAMPIS assistance with childcare costs for student-parents, contact Tammy Anderson, ULM TRIO Programs, taanderson@ulm.edu, 318-342-1083.

In 2018, Congress tripled federal funding for student-parents, and that year the University of Louisiana Monroe received its first Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant of more than $122,000.

Thanks to this grant and other federal funding, childcare cost assistance is available to eligible student-parents through the university’s TRIO Programs. TRIO is a U.S. Department of Education program to assist first-generation and income-eligible students seeking a college degree.

For some, CCAMPIS can mean the difference between a college degree leading to a successful, rewarding career or a minimum-wage job.

Tammy Anderson is the TRIO Child Care Coordinator/Outreach Specialist. She hopes parents who want to attend ULM but are hesitating because of childcare concerns will reach out to her.

“So far for Fall 2020, 20 ULM student-parents and 23 children are enrolled. There are slots for up to 35 children,” Anderson said. “The children we serve are ages six weeks through 11. The program covers child daycare and afterschool care.” 

 “Since 2018, we have helped over 30 students-parents and 42 children by subsidizing childcare, providing financial literacy training, parent workshops, and parent events,” Anderson said.

“This program has been a wonderful asset to ULM. The student-parents, past and present, have benefited not only from assistance with their childcare payments each semester but also learning about financial literacy, parenting through parent workshops, and fun social events with other parents and children in the program,” Anderson said. 

Parent-students apply for CCAMPIS each semester. They must be enrolled full-time, remain in good standing, with a GPA of at least 2.0 and be Pell Grant eligible. CCAMPIS is available to all ULM students who meet the income and eligibility requirements,

For more information on TRIO CCAMPIS, contact Anderson at taanderson@ulm.edu, 318-342-1083, 351 Sandel Hall.

Two student-parents share their stories

Keyowanda Gix

Keyowanda Gix, a senior in Health Studies, hospital marketing, and management, said because of CCAMPIS, she is a better parent to her son Karson and a better student. With Anderson’s mentoring, she’s remained focused on her goals.

“This program has helped me financially, been supportive, and taught me a better way of parenting my child. I sit down and explain the do’s and don’ts with Karson,” said Gix, of Monroe. “Mrs. Tammy has also been a great asset to my education with encouragement and motivation.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leah Havard

For Leah Havard, also of Monroe, a senior in social work and a student-parent, the program, plus Anderson’s guidance, has been important to her academic and personal success. She has a 3-year-old son, Eli.

“Financially, it has helped me with my funds towards my son’s daycare, so I am able to attend school and have study time for my classes,” Havard said. “Mrs. Tammy has helped me a lot also. She always makes sure I’m on top of my work and staying focused. She always helps me find the resources I need to come out on top as a mother and a student.”