What is it?
United Way of North Idaho's ALICE Child Care Scholarship is a pool of funds created through grants and fundraising to support families who are attending school and/or employed and need assistance paying for the care of pre-K and school-age children.
Who is it for?
Scholarships are available to families with children who are employed and/or enrolled in school or a job training program (includes local community colleges, technical programs, high school completion, etc.) and are paying for at least one child in a licensed early care and education program or out-of-school care program.
Disclaimer: The availability of ALICE childcare scholarships is dependent on the receipt of sufficient grant funding and donations. Scholarships will be awarded based on available funds, and eligibility does not guarantee funding. In the event that funds are limited or unavailable, applicants may be placed on a waiting list or offered alternative resources. The program reserves the right to adjust the scholarship award amounts or suspend the program without prior notice based on funding circumstances.
Image
Information for Families
Scholarships are available to families with children who meet the following criteria:
- Living in any of Idaho's five northern counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, or Shoshone
- Pre-tax income at or below 100% Area Median Income:
- Employed and/or enrolled in school or a job training program (includes local community colleges, technical programs, high school completion, etc.)
- Paying for at least one child in a licensed early care and education program or out-of-school care program.
The following documents are required as part of your application:
- Copy of paystubs and/or other income documentation for past 30 days
- Current copy of course schedule (students only)
- State-issued ID plus proof of residency. Can be any of the following:
- Current utility bills in your name
- Lease or letter from landlord
- Employer verification of address
Please submit these documents with your application. We cannot review your application if you do not submit all required documents.
Deadline to apply is the 10th of each month. Scholarships are reviewed and award decisions made monthly on the third Friday. You will be contacted regarding your scholarship status following the scholarship review.
Families can apply for scholarships online or by scanning and emailing a hard copy:
Click here for the 2025 online application
Click here to download a hard copy of the application
Scan and email application and additional documents to Shelby@UWNorthIdaho.org
Still have questions? Please reach out!
Shelby Walsh, Early Learning Coordinator
Shelby@UWNorthIdaho.org
The selection committee meets once per month on the third Friday. You will be notified via email or by hard copy mailed to the address listed on your application, if requested. The selection committee and community partners will make every effort to connect you with additional resources should your application be denied.
If you have not applied to ICCP, please fill out the application by calling 1-877-456-1233 (toll free) OR visit your local Idaho Department of Health and Welfare field office.
- Be prepared to provide this information with the application:
- ID Card
- Household Income
- Housing Costs
- Current Monthly Expenses
- If applicable, Immigration Status
For more information, visit https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/children-families/…
You and your child care provider will receive a welcome packet via email which includes:
- The amount awarded per month, the disbursement process, and timeline
- Any documents to be signed and returned to United Way
The scholarship amount is determined based on applicant need and funds available. The applicant’s child care provider will complete a W-9 and return it to the Early Care and Education Task Force. We will verify rates and attendance with the provider each month and send a one-time check directly to the provider to cover the total sum and duration of your awarded scholarship. If you un-enroll from the current provider, please contact us to have your scholarship moved to a new provider or to reapply.
Information for supporters
One of United Way of North Idaho’s core impact goals is to ensure that all children have nurturing early experiences and enter school ready to learn. To achieve this, we build strong public-private partnerships to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care for working families across our region. This work is critical—not only for the well-being of children and families today but also for the long-term health and prosperity of our communities.
For nearly half of Idaho households living below the A.L.I.C.E. threshold, childcare is one of the most significant barriers to financial stability. The high cost, limited availability, and staffing shortages in the childcare sector create a constant struggle for families who are working hard but earning just above the poverty line. In Idaho, child care for two children can cost as much as housing, leaving little left for other essentials.
Child care is the essential infrastructure that supports a strong workforce and a thriving economy. When parents can’t access reliable care, they’re forced to reduce work hours, leave jobs, or forgo career and education opportunities—creating a ripple effect that impacts employers, schools, and the broader community.
To address this need, United Way of North Idaho created the A.L.I.C.E. Child Care Scholarship Fund with the support of generous partners, including the City of Coeur d’Alene’s Community Development Block Grant program, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (IDAEYC), the Windermere Foundation, and United Way’s annual Ride for A.L.I.C.E. fundraiser. These funds help bridge the gap for working families—investing in children’s development while strengthening North Idaho’s future.
Representatives from United Way of North Idaho Early Learning Collaborative review applications and supplemental documentation to recommend awards. Personally-identifying information is kept confidential.
The selection committee and community partners make every effort to connect applicants with additional resources should their application be denied.
The first five years of a child’s life present a critical window for learning and growth and this is exactly the time when quality early childhood education makes a profound difference in a child’s life. Yet this pivotal window of opportunity is missed when quality early childhood education is unavailable or unaffordable.
Individuals, businesses and grants are what allow us to distribute funds and help local families stay afloat while they navigate the current economy.
You can help keep this program going by donating here.