Work/Life

Childcare Fee Assistance (Center Specific)

Northwestern University offers several types of childcare and dependent care fee assistance programs. 
 
Northwestern University allocates funds for fee assistance every year for eligible Northwestern families whose children are enrolled at any of the following:

Bright Horizons at Evanston 
1629 Orrington Ave.
Evanston, IL  60201
847-491-9032

McGaw YMCA 
1420 Maple Ave.
Evanston, IL  60201
847-475-8580

University Children’s Center
446 E. Ontario Street
Suite 150
Chicago, IL 60611
312-867-7056

How the Fee Assistance Program Works:

Funds are awarded to Northwestern families who demonstrate financial need and meet the eligibility requirements. Families currently receiving assistance are given priority. Scholarship recipients must be full-time faculty, staff or undergraduate/graduate school students. Professional students are not eligible. Children must be enrolled full time at the center. Combined family income must be $100,000 or less, as documented on last year's tax return. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, beginning in January for the following school year. School year awards are determined on a first come first served basis. Please apply early. For more information about fee assistance contact McGaw YMCA, registration at 847-475-8580. For the University Children’s Center, contact the Office of Work/Life Resources at 847-467-3631. For Bright Horizons at Evanston, contact the business manager at 847-491-9032.

Tax Implications:

In accordance with the Internal Revenue Code and related Regulations, certain employer provided dependent care assistance is considered taxable income. The University is reporting employer provided childcare fee assistance on the W-2 form. When determining your FSA Dependent Care contribution, you will want to take into account the amount of child care fee assistance received from the University, as the maximum annual exclusion for tax free employer provided dependent care assistance is currently $5,000 annually.

Additional Childcare and Dependent Care Financial Assistance (Not Center Specific)

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

The Dependent Care Account assists in funding eligible childcare expenses and certain costs associated with the care of a dependent child, spouse or parent. Participants make pre-tax contributions by payroll deduction and the contributions are allocated to an account maintained on the participant's behalf by the University.

University's Dependent Match Program

The University provides non-taxable matching funds directly to an employee to assist in meeting a portion of annual dependent care expenses. These funds are made in the form of additional earnings on your regular paycheck.