The funding will help with childcare for student parents and support learning and job preparation in STEM and healthcare industries for working-class students at CSUSB

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced a total of $4,871,289 in grants for California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) to support student parents by providing childcare services as well as strengthening STEM and healthcare educational opportunities for low-income students to prepare them for good-paying careers. 

The funding includes a $3,541,904 grant for CSUSB to provide affordable childcare services to Pell Grant-eligible undergraduate students with children between the ages of 6 months and 12 years old. This will allow student parents to pursue their degrees while their children receive quality care.

Also included in the funding is $1,329,385 that will allow CSUSB to develop new academic programs and career pathways in STEM and healthcare for low-income and rural students. The university will invest in educational outreach programs, create undergraduate research opportunities and help connect students with internships and apprenticeships related to careers in these industries. Rep. Aguilar wrote a letter to the Department of Education in support of CSUSB’s application for this important grant.

“Whether you’re a new parent in school or come from a working-class community, where you start out shouldn’t decide whether you finish a degree and land a good-paying job,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “I am proud to announce this funding for CSUSB, which will provide childcare support for student parents so they can stay in school and expand academic opportunities in STEM and healthcare for low-income students. I’m excited to see how these grants help Inland Empire residents of all backgrounds be successful.”

“Cal State San Bernardino is grateful to the U.S. Department of Education for awarding the university nearly $4.9 million through two grants: the Strengthening Institutions and Child Care Access Means Parents in School programs,” said Terri Gómez, President, California State University, San Bernardino. “The $1.3 million Strengthening Institutions grant will expand educational and career pathways in STEM and health care and strengthen support for low-income and rural students. The $3.5 million Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant will help student parents continue their education by providing access to essential childcare services. We sincerely thank Congressman Pete Aguilar for his continued advocacy on behalf of CSUSB and the Inland Empire, including his letter supporting our Strengthening Institutions Program application. His partnership helps the university expand opportunity, improve student success, and prepare graduates to meet the workforce needs of our region.”

The $3.5 million grant comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program (84.335A). The $1.3 million grant comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program (84.031A).