Applications for Cornell's 2012 child care grants for faculty and staff members will be available online beginning Sept. 1. The application period will run Sept. 1-30.

The university's Child Care Grant Program helps faculty and staff pay for child care expenses with grants 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.

"It is difficult to predict costs for 2012, especially if you are thinking about changing providers or if you are expecting your first child. Think about where you most likely will place your child and then estimate costs from there," said Theresa Rapacki, Benefits Resource Center associate director and program manager. "Be sure that you complete the application online, print it and submit the paper copy to Benefit Services, 130 Day Hall, along with the signature page and supporting documentation, either hand-delivered or U.S. postmarked by Sept. 30."

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