Child care assistance (also called child care subsidy) is a state-funded program that helps families access child care while parents or caregivers are working or participating in education or training programs. The state provides funding to child care providers so they can have a safe and high-quality place to learn while their caregiver attends work or school.

Great! The Bezos Academy application will ask you to upload documentation of your benefits. If you apply prior to the admissions lottery, you may be eligible for preference in the lottery. Then, if you enroll your child at our school, then you will add Bezos Academy as your child care provider in the state’s portal. Note that this is required for all families with active benefits. Finally, you will want to keep your benefits active by renewing on time and letting us know if your approval status changes. 

Child care assistance can help families cover the cost of child care, which may reduce the amount a family needs to pay out of pocket. Bezos Academy is offered at no cost to families, whether or not you receive child care assistance benefits. However, participating in these programs helps us continue to make this possible. Families may also be able to use their benefits for care at another provider after their child leaves Bezos Academy. 

As soon as you can. Families who provide documentation of active child care assistance benefits with their application receive preference in the admissions lottery if they apply to Bezos Academy before the lottery. Applications can take time to process and some programs have waitlists.  

No. A child’s eligibility to attend Bezos Academy is not affected by whether a family qualifies for or receives child care funding. It is required that if you have child care assistance benefits, you must select Bezos Academy as your child’s provider while your child is enrolled. 

Each state and region has its own [child care subsidy] eligibility criteria. Common reasons a family may not qualify include: household income above state limits; not meeting work, education, or training requirements; or eligibility rules related to citizenship requirements. Families are not required to share the specific reason they are ineligible with Bezos Academy. 

No. Families enrolled at Bezos Academy who receive these funds are not required to pay a co-pay. Bezos Academy covers the cost of the co-pay on behalf of families.