The UWNI Child Care Scholarship is a pool of funds created through grants and fundraising to support families who are attending school or employed and need assistance paying for child care. The fund is intended to bridge the gap for those who earn too much for the Idaho Child Care Assistance Program (ICCP) but do not earn enough to afford care. Families must meet income guidelines, demonstrate need via an application process, and meet the following criteria:

• Living in any of Idaho's five northern counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, or Shoshone
• Pre-tax income at or below 100% Area Median Income (see Median Family Income table below).
• Employed and/or enrolled in school or a job training program (includes local community colleges, technical programs, high school completion, etc.)
• Paying (or expect to pay) child care or school age tuition to a licensed early care and education program or out-of-school care program.   

Applicant information will be verified, and the amount paid to child care each month divided by the total household take-home pay. The quotient is then evaluated against the established affordability index of 7% paid to care. Scholarships aim to subsidize monthly child care tuition to get families as close as possible to 7% of monthly take-home pay.

For example, a family pays $1000 per month for care, out of a $4000 monthly income.

$1000 to childcare ÷ $4000 take-home pay = 25% of income paid to child care - too high.

7% of $4000 take-home pay would be $280 per month paid to childcare - this is our aim. 

$1000 actual - $280 goal = $720 difference - this is the amount needed to bring the family down to 7% paid to child care per month.  

The following documents are required as part of your application:

• Copy of paystubs and/or other income documentation for past 30 days
• Current copy of course schedule (students only)
• State-issued ID plus proof of residency. Can be any of the following:
  • Current utility bills in your name
  • Lease or letter from landlord
  • Employer verification of address

Please submit these documents with your application. We will be unable to review your application if you do not submit all required documents.

Deadline to apply is the 10th of each month. Scholarships are reviewed and award decisions made monthly on the third Friday. You will be contacted regarding your scholarship status following the scholarship review.

Families can apply for scholarships online or by scanning and emailing a hard copy:

• Click here for the 2026 online application
• Click here to download a hard copy of the application

Scan and email application and additional documents to Sarawelch@UWNorthIdaho.org.

Still have questions? Please reach out!

Sara Welch, Early Learning Coordinator
Sarawelch@UWNorthIdaho.org

One of United Way of North Idaho’s core impact goals is to ensure that all children have nurturing early experiences and enter school ready to learn. To achieve this, we build strong public-private partnerships to expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare for working families across our region. This work is critical—not only for the well-being of children and families today but also for the long-term health and prosperity of our communities.

For nearly half of Idaho households living below the A.L.I.C.E. threshold, childcare is one of the most significant barriers to financial stability. The high cost, limited availability, and staffing shortages in the childcare sector create a constant struggle for families who are working hard but earning just above the poverty line. In Idaho, childcare for two children can cost as much as housing, leaving little left for other essentials.

Childcare is the essential infrastructure that supports a strong workforce and a thriving economy. When parents can’t access reliable care, they’re forced to reduce work hours, leave jobs, or forgo career and education opportunities—creating a ripple effect that impacts employers, schools, and the broader community.

To address this need, United Way of North Idaho created the A.L.I.C.E. Child Care Scholarship Fund with the support of generous partners, including the City of Coeur d’Alene’s Community Development Block Grant program, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (IDAEYC), the Windermere Foundation, and annual United Way of North Idaho fundraising events. These funds help bridge the gap for working families—investing in children’s development while strengthening North Idaho’s future.

Representatives from United Way of North Idaho Early Learning Collaborative review applications and supplemental documentation to recommend awards. Personal, identifying information is kept confidential.

The selection committee and community partners make every effort to connect applicants with additional resources should their application be denied.

The first five years of a child’s life present a critical window for learning and growth, and this is exactly the time when quality early childhood education makes a profound difference in a child’s life. Yet this pivotal window of opportunity is missed when quality early childhood education is unavailable or unaffordable.

Support the ALICE childcare scholarship program today by contributing here.

Your support truly makes access to quality, early childhood education possible - thank you!