Tuition and Financial Aid

Hilltop Children’s Center is a nonprofit organization that funds our tuition assistance programs, in part, through private donations from generous individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Hilltop, as well as our donors, recognize that the cost of quality child care can be out of reach for some families, so much so that sometimes families forego child care altogether. When this happens, everyone loses: the children, their families, and entire communities. The development and safety of these children become fragile in ways that affect their vitality and health.

Keeping quality childcare within reach of all families is a core Hilltop values and we work to provide options that enable families to secure the care they need for their children.

Tuition

The Board approves FY22 Tuition Rates and Important Dates on or before August 1 for the upcoming school year.  Our tuition reflects the low ratios of children to educators in each classroom as well as the extensive ongoing professional development and training for our faculty.

Financial Aid

Hilltop strives to provide financial assistance to as many families as possible. Available financial assistance is determined during the annual budgeting process and based on the amount raised during our annual fundraiser.

Families needing financial assistance should follow these steps:

Step 1

Apply to Washington State Working Connection Child Care (WCCC) to determine eligibility to receive child care subsidies from the state.

Working Connection Child Care | DSHS

Working Connections Child Care, or WCCC, is a child care subsidy program that helps families with children pay for child care to find jobs, keep their jobs, and get better jobs.

Basic Eligibility Requirements
  • The child who needs subsidized care must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
  • The family must live in Washington state.
  • The family’s income must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) when applying, or 220 percent of FPL when reapplying.
  • The parent must be employed or self-employed in legal, income-generating, taxable activities; or the parent must meet all TANF/WorkFirst requirements if participating in that program.
  • Families experiencing homelessness may be approved for up to 12 months to resolve issues surrounding homelessness.
  • Starting July 1, 2021, parents attending full-time community, technical, or tribal college are no longer required to work to qualify for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC). Student parents enrolled full-time may be eligible for WCCC when participating in associate degree programs, vocational educational programs that lead to degrees in specific occupations or registered apprenticeships.
  • The parent must complete the WCCC application and verification process.
  • Parents of children with special needs may qualify for higher rates to help pay for additional supports needed.

Step 2

If you live in the Seattle City limits and are not eligible to receive WCCC subsidies, apply for the City of Seattle Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to determine eligibility to receive child care subsidies from the City of Seattle.

City of Seattle Comprehensive Child Care Assistance Program

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps families living within Seattle city limits who have with a parent working or attending school to pay for child care for children 1 month to 12 years of age.

Basic Eligibility Requirements
  • Live within the Seattle city limits (Residents living in unincorporated King County are not eligible). Use this tool to determine if you live within the City limits
  •  Be employed and/or enrolled in qualified education or job training program
  •  Have a child under 13 years old
  •  Identify a provider contracted with the City of Seattle
  •  Meet the income guidelines based on family size

Step 3

If you are ineligible for WCCC and/or CCAP, apply to receive a scholarship from Hilltop. Eligibility is based on family size and household income. To apply, complete the Siri Mayo Scholarship Fund Application and return to the program supervisor at the location you want to enroll your child or is already enrolled.

The Siri Mayo Scholarship is for families whose income is above the limits for WCCC and CCAP subsidy programs. Siri Mayo Scholarship rates are discounted by 15% of the full tuition, up to 50%. Siri Mayo Scholarship award decisions are based on income and family need.

Families applying for a Siri Mayo Scholarship are not required to apply to WCCC or CCAP so long as your household income is above the income requirements for those programs. Proof of income is required.

Siri Mayo Scholarship Fund

Siri Mayo was a child who believed in making the world a better place. The Siri Mayo Scholarship Fund was founded in Siri’s memory after she passed away in 2005, when she was nine. Siri lived with humor and zest; her eyes twinkled, offering a joyful invitation into play, conversation, and sweet companionship. Siri’s friends from Hilltop helped establish the Siri Fund in 2006 to honor Siri and the gift she was to all who knew her. Our goal is to help families overcome financial barriers to participating in the Hilltop program. Hilltop is pleased to honor the values of friendship and diversity that Siri held dear. Donate to the Siri Mayo Scholarship Fund here. For more information or an application, contact Hilltop.

If your family is eligible to receive WCCC or CCAP subsidies but your copayment is beyond what you can afford, you may be eligible to receive a Siri Mayo Scholarship to cover your copayment.

 

We're Hiring!