Army Fee Assistance (AFA)* is the Army’s contribution toward the total cost of child care for Army Families. The program assists eligible Army Families in locating, selecting, and offsetting the cost of civilian child care when on-base child care is not available or a viable option for the service member and their Family. Fee Assistance buys down the higher cost of off post care allowing eligible Families to pay fees comparable to those charged at the Installation.
The intent of Army Fee Assistance Program is to help meet the needs of Families who cannot access on post Army Child and Youth Services programs. The Army Fee Assistance program is available in CONUS and may include full-time, part-time, before & after school, for eligible children ages 6 weeks through 12 years.
The Army Fee Assistance program is administered by Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA). Eligibility and program placement will be determined based on Army Child and Youth Services (CYS) guidance, as per current year school fee policy, IAW Army policy. For more information about eligibility requirements and fee assistance application instructions see FAQ’s below or, call +1(800) 424-2246, or visit Child Care Aware of America
*The program is not an entitlement program and is subject to availability of funds, which can be discontinued at any time.
Who is eligible for the AFA Program?
Single Soldiers / Single Army Civilian employees.
Dual Military Soldiers / Dual Army Civilian employees.
Active-Duty Soldiers (to include activated Guard and Reserve Soldiers) / Army Civilian employees with a working spouse/domestic partner.**
Active-Duty Soldiers (to include activated Guard and Reserve Soldiers) / Army Civilian employees with a spouse/domestic partner enrolled in a post-secondary educational program.**
**A spouse / domestic partner must be employed or enrolled in school for a minimum of 25 hours per week for full time eligibility and between 16 and 24 hours per week for part time eligibility.
How do I apply for AFA Program?
Army Families interested to participate in the AFA program for community child care fee assistance must create a household profile on MilitaryChildCare.com and submit a request for child care. If available, the MCCYN AFA program will be included in the search results for care. Offers for Army Fee Assistance will be made through MCC. More information is available at MCCYN | MCC Central (disa.mil) FAQ link.
How can I find a military child care in my area?
A list with community childcare providers approved for the military fee assistance programs will be available on MCC.com once you submit a request for care in the MCCYN AFA program through MCC.com.
For additional information about the program view FAQ
