The cost of child care in our community can make it seem impossible for parents who want to go back to school. Earning a degree or certification, can open doors to a more stable economic foundation for their family but with an average cost of $9,300 per year, child care often forces parents to delay or cancel higher education plans altogether. Through the United Way Child Care Scholarship, Women United’s signature cause, we are helping families build a more stable foundation for their future.

Sally was pursuing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio while her daughter was in child care. She had the difficult task of pursuing her degree and working, all while paying the high cost of child care. That’s when she heard about the United Way Child Care Scholarship at her daughter’s daycare and applied.

“With the assistance of the scholarship, I was able to achieve my academic goals, obtain several internships and secure a job to start post-graduation prior to my senior year,” said Sally.

With the support of United Way, Sally was able to graduate Magna Cum Laude with Distinguished Business Honors with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Sally says that without United Way’s support, she would have been vastly behind in her career.

“If it were not for the scholarship opening doors in terms of financial assistance and mentorship, I would have been ten steps behind entering my first job post-graduation,” said Sally.

The United Way Child Care Scholarship removes the financial barrier to education for parents, who receive an average award of $14,000 for child care. Scholars can enroll their children in accredited centers that provide high-quality developmental care without having to worry about the impact it will have on their finances.

“The expenses of child care are sizable but the payoff received from earning a degree is immense in the long run,” said Sally. “Not only in the financial metrics but in terms of the example you are setting for your children.”

Not only was Sally able to build a stronger foundation for her family to thrive economically, her daughter has excelled in school since being placed in a high-quality child care setting due to the scholarship. “Seeing my daughter attend her first year of preschool, it was clear that she had a jump start from the child care center she attended through the support of United Way.”

The United Way Child Care Scholarship has a multi-generational impact on families like Sally’s, empowering parents to improve their economic stability while also keeping their child’s early development on track in quality child care settings. It gives parents like Sally the ability to build resiliency and a strong foundation for future success for the entire family.

“The scholarship is a unique opportunity to uplift our community for generations to come,” added Sally. “This program is truly one of a kind and continues to demonstrate their commitment to their scholar’s financial success and well-being.”