Applications for Cornell's 2011 child care grant subsidies for faculty and staff members will be available online beginning Sept. 1. The application period will run Sept. 1-Oct. 1.

The university's Child Care Grant Subsidy Program helps faculty and staff pay for child care expenses by granting awards of up to $5,000 a year, tax free. The grant covers legally recognized infant and toddler day care, preschool and pre-kindergarten programs, child care for school holidays, school-age summer day camps or programs, and before- and after-school care.

To receive grant funds on a tax-free basis, applicants must be eligible to participate in the Select Benefits Dependent Care Reimbursement Account. Certain other eligibility requirements must be met and are outlined in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the child care grant Web pages noted below. Cornell Cooperative Extension county association employees are not eligible for the program.

"We strongly encourage parents to finalize their plans for their 2011 child care services, as that is the most time-consuming part of the process," said Theresa Rapacki, Benefit Services resource manager and program coordinator. "We've made it possible to complete the application electronically so that it can then be printed off and submitted to Benefit Services, 130 Day Hall, in paper copy along with the signature page and supporting documentation, either hand-delivered or U.S. postmarked by Oct. 1."

For detailed information on the application process, eligibility and program, see http://hr.cornell.edu/life/support/child_care_grant.html or contact the Benefit Services Resource Center at 607-255-3936 or by e-mail, childcare@cornell.edu.