Childbirth Accommodation & Childcare Reimbursement

A woman wearing a cap and gown hugs a child

Childbirth Accommodation Fund for Teaching Assistants and Graduate Student Researchers

The university’s contract with the UAW provides salaried ASEs (Teaching Assistants and Teaching Associates) appointed for a minimum of 25% time for the duration of the quarter up to six weeks paid leave for childbirth. This benefit has been extended to eligible graduate students appointed as Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs) for a minimum of 25% time for the duration of the quarter.  A central childbirth accommodation fund has been established to pay the salaries of eligible ASEs and GSRs during the time they are on leave.

Childcare Reimbursement Fund for Academic Student Employees

The contract between the University and the UAW also provides for a systemwide childcare reimbursement program for eligible ASEs (including hourly ASEs, i.e. Readers and Tutors) appointed for a minimum of 25% time for the duration of the academic quarter. The reimbursement limit is $1100 per quarter for eligible childcare expenses incurred during the ASE’s appointment period during the academic year.  During the summer, the reimbursement limit is $1100 irrespective of the number of summer sessions in which an ASE is employed. A central childcare reimbursement fund has been established to pay for reimbursable childcare expenses.  Reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than the last day of the following term.

Childcare Reimbursement Fund for Graduate Student Researchers

The University of California has extended the childcare reimbursement program to eligible Graduate Student Researchers appointed for a minimum of 25% time for the duration of the academic quarter.  Eligible GSRs may be reimbursed up to $1100 per quarter for eligible childcare expenses.  During the summer, the reimbursement limit is $1100 for the entire duration of the summer period between July 1 – September 30.  Reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than the last day of the following term.

Childcare Reimbursement Fund for Graduate Student Fellows 

At UCI, certain graduate student fellows who meet minimum criteria are eligible for the childcare reimbursement program.  An eligible fellow may receive up to $1100 per quarter for eligible childcare expenses incurred during the academic year.  During the summer, the reimbursement limit is $1100 for the entire duration of the summer period from July 1-September 30.  Reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than the last day of the following term.

An eligible fellow is a registered graduate student with a university-administered fellowship who has (a) qualified dependent(s).  To be eligible for the program, the university-administered fellowship must cover the full amount of California resident fees and tuition, and provide a minimum stipend of $6,000 for the quarter to be reimbursed.  During the summer, the fellowship must provide a minimum stipend of $6,000. 

Important COVID-19 Information

In recognition of the childcare issues faced by many graduate student employees during the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we now have permission from UCOP to provide childcare reimbursements that adhere to the minimum requirements of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as to who qualifies as a “childcare provider” for purposes of reimbursement.

(See https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p503.pdf).

For the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic year, graduate student employees and those on fellowship will be permitted to seek reimbursement for childcare provided by a friend or relative living in the same household as the graduate student as long as they are not:

  • A person for whom the grad student (or the grad student’s spouse if filing jointly) can claim as a dependent;
  • The grad student’s child who was under age 19 at the end of the year, even if the child isn’t the grad student’s dependent;
  • A person who was the grad student’s spouse any time during the year; or
  • The parent of the grad student’s qualifying person if the qualifying person is the grad student’s child and under age 13
  • As required by the IRS regulations, for purposes of reimbursement, all childcare providers who are individuals must have a valid taxpayer identification number or social security number. If the care provider is an organization, the organization must have a valid employer identification number. Summer session 2022 appointments do not qualify for this exception. For questions, please contact the Graduate Division here, Fee Remission, Employment and Childcare Program Inquires

Additional Child Care Services

For additional resources, please visit UCI’s Child Care Services at https://childcare.uci.edu/
UCI Child Care Services
949.824.2100
childcare@uci.edu

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