FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE & TUITION
Child Care Financial Assistance
We do believe that every child should have the opportunity to succeed. That’s why we offer multiple resources to help families pay for child care expenses. To qualify for financial assistance, you must be currently enrolled or in the process of enrolling at one of our child care programs. Financial assistance is designed to help cover expenses based on your family size and gross income per your household.
It is possible for families to qualify for both North Dakota/Minnesota and YMCA financial assistance programs. However, we encourage families to apply for state child care assistance before applying for YMCA Financial Assistance. Please see the information below on both ND/MN Child Care Assistance and YMCA Financial Assistance.
To apply for Child Care Financial Assistance, please follow the steps below.
- Apply for child care assistance in the county in which you reside (see North Dakota and Minnesota Child Care Assistance section below).
- When you receive your determination letter (whether accepted or denied), you may submit the paperwork with your YMCA Financial Assistance application (see YMCA Child Care Scholarships section below). You must submit all information listed on the application to be considered. Processing takes a minimum of two weeks. If funds are not available at the time of submission, you will be placed on a waiting list. If you leave the program, you will be removed from the waiting list and may re-apply should you want to enroll at a later date.
For a full list of guidelines surrounding YMCA Child Care Financial Assistance, or if you have any questions, please contact us at 218.359.2326 or Childcare@ymcanorthernsky.org
North Dakota and Minnesota Child Care Assistance
To determine if you are eligible for state assistance, please download a form below and submit the application to the contacts listed on each form. Enrollment fee and the first two weeks of tuition are required at the time of enrollment. If you are on North Dakota or Minnesota financial assistance, you must pay the enrollment fee and half of your month co-pay. If you do not have your North Dakota or Minnesota certification form showing your co-pay amount, you must pay for the first two weeks of tuition in full.
ND Child Care Assistance MN Child Care Assistance
Early Head Start Program
Together, Mayville State University Child Development Program and the YMCA provides Early Head Start services to eligible families at two of our locations! Early Head Start is an income-based program that provides families with quality child care. This program is offered at our West Fargo and South Learning Center Locations. Early Head Start is for children ages six weeks through two years old. To apply, please contact us at Enroll@ymcanorthernsky.org or 701.364.4117 or visit the Mayville State University website.
YMCA Child Care Scholarships
To determine if you are eligible for a YMCA Child Care Scholarship, please download the application form below and submit your completed application to one of the contacts listed on the form. Funds from the YMCA’s financial assistance program are made possible through United Way and the YMCA’s Annual Campaign. YMCA Child Care Scholarships are subject to change based on available funding and adherence to program policies. After you apply for a YMCA Child Care Scholarship, the YMCA Learning Center Financial Aid Coordinator will follow up with you. If you do qualify, your scholarship will be in effect the date your application has been approved by our office. YMCA Child Care Scholarships are not available for Half-Day Preschool programs.
Child Care Scholarship Application (Fillable PDF)
We have special funding to help pay for child care beyond previous income levels indicated in child care assistance and YMCA scholarships. We encourage all families to apply.
Additional Information
- A new financial assistance application – with updated proofs of income – must be submitted every year. (see section above).
- If your household size, dependencies, income, or needs change at any time you must complete a Financial Aid Amendment Form, linked below. An amendment form is also available at either Member Services Desk.
- If further documentation or additional steps are required before we can process your application, a YMCA team member will contact you at the phone number and/or email address specified on this form. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Filling out a membership application or completing a program/camp registration
- Providing proof of residency or dependency
- Applying for county child care assistance
- Membership & Programs Assistance: Financial assistance recipients may choose to pay monthly via cash, check, money order or credit or by setting up a regular bank draft. Approved recipients do not pay the enrollment fee.
- Child Care Assistance: To qualify for financial assistance, you must be currently enrolled or in the process of enrolling at one of our child care programs
- It could take up to ten business days to process your application. By providing an up-to-date email address you may receive a faster response about the status of your application.
Child Care Tuition Rates by Area
2026 Tuition Rates - Fargo Area
As of 5.25.2026
A registration fee of $50/child or $75/family and the first two weeks of tuition are required at the time of enrollment.
The Y makes it easy to take care of child care payments! See our 2026 child care payment calendar for more information. For assistance setting up payment, please contact our Learning Centers Enrollment Specialist and Billing Coordinator at 701.364.4117 or Childcare@ymcanorthernsky.org.
+ Infants & Toddlers
| Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time Infant | $55.50 | $277.50 |
| Full Time Toddler | $54.00 | $270.00 |
*No Part Time care offered for Infants or Toddlers
+ Preschool Programs - Full Day
Full Day Preschool Programs
| Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | $47.50 |
$237.50 |
| Part Time | $49.50 | dependent upon schedule |
*Part time care is a schedule of 4 days or less in a week (must be same days each week).
+ School Age Programs
School Age Programs – Before School | After School | Before & After School
| Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time Before School only care | $11 | $55 |
| Part Time Before School only care | $13 | dependent upon schedule |
| Full Time After School | $24 | $120 |
| Part Time After School | $26 | dependent upon schedule |
| FT Before & After School care | $29 | $145 |
| PT Before & After School care | $31 | dependent upon schedule |
Full Time is five days a week
Part Time care is a schedule of 4 days or less in a week (must be same days each week).
School Age Programs – School Out Days
- School Out Day Fee: $24.00/day in addition to your regular before/after school rate
- All children are auto-enrolled in School Out Days and must cancel at least 2 weeks prior to avoid charges
- School Out Day Late Cancelation Fee: $34.00/day in addition to your regular before/after school rate
- Provides less than 2 weeks cancelation notice.
School Age Programs – Summer
| Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | $44.50 | $222.50 |
| Part Time | $46.50 | dependent upon schedule |
*Full Time is five days a week
*Part Time care is a schedule of 4 days or less in a week (must be same days each week).
+ Additional Fees May Apply
- Storm Days
- If school closes prior to Noon: $24/day. No transportation to sites provided.
- If school starts prior to Noon or closes after 1 pm: $0. No lunch provided and no transportation to sites.
- Late Pick-Up Fee | $1/minute/child after 6 pm
- Late Payment Fee | .87% of balance due
- Finders Fee | $10 per occurrence when site not notified of absences (school age only)
- NSF Fee | $15 fee assessed for non-sufficient funds
- Drop in Child Care Rate (School Age) | $50/day
- Extra Care Charge: PT rate per day if normally not scheduled to attend
- Early Release or Late Start Days (School Age): $5/day
- Stopping or Changing Automatic Draft / Replacing Key Fob: $10
Rates and fees are subject to change with a 30 day notice.
2026 Tuition Rates - Fergus Falls Area
As of 6.16.2026
A registration fee of $50/child or $75/family and the first two weeks of tuition are required at the time of enrollment.
The Y makes it easy to take care of child care payments! See our 2026 child care payment calendar for more information. For assistance setting up payment, please contact our Learning Centers Enrollment Specialist and Billing Coordinator at 701.364.4117 or Childcare@ymcanorthernsky.org.
+ Preschool Programs - Full Day
Full Day Preschool Programs
| Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | $47.50 |
$237.50 |
| Part Time | $49.50 | dependent upon schedule |
*Part time care is a schedule of 4 days or less in a week (must be same days each week).
+ After School Program
School Age After School Program
| Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time After School Only (Member) | $16 | $80 |
| Full Time After School Only (Non-Member) | $22 | $110 |
Full Time is five days a week
Part Time care is a schedule of 4 days or less in a week (must be same days each week).
School Age Programs – School Out Days
- School Out Day Fee: $24.00/day in addition to your regular before/after school rate
- All children are auto-enrolled in School Out Days and must cancel at least 2 weeks prior to avoid charges
- School Out Day Late Cancelation Fee: $34.00/day in addition to your regular before/after school rate
- Provides less than 2 weeks cancelation notice.
+ School Age Programs - Summer
School Age Programs – Summer
| Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time Summer (Member) | $40 | $200 |
| Part Time Summer (Member) | $42 | |
| Full Time Summer (Non-Member) | $46 | $230 |
| Part Time Summer (Non-Member) | $48 |
*Full Time is five days a week
*Part Time care is a schedule of 4 days or less in a week (must be same days each week).
+ Additional Fees May Apply
- Storm Days
- If school closes prior to Noon: $24/day. No transportation to sites provided.
- If school closes after 1 pm: $0. No lunch provided.
- Late Pick-Up Fee | $1/minute/child after 6 pm
- Late Payment Fee | .87% of balance due
- Finders Fee | $10 per occurrence when site not notified of absences (school age only)
- NSF Fee | $15 fee assessed for non-sufficient funds
- Drop in Child Care Rate (School Age) | $49/day
- Extra Care Charge: PT rate per day if normally not scheduled to attend
- Early Release or Late Start Days (School Age): $5/day
- Stopping or Changing Automatic Draft / Replacing Key Fob: $10
Rates and fees are subject to change with a 30 day notice.
CHILD CARE PAYMENT INFORMATION
All families must be signed up for automatic payments. This can be through your checking/ savings account or credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Please note, if you receive financial assistance from county, you will be required to pay 100% of the cost until we receive verification from the state. If you have questions, please call our Financial Aid Coordinator at 218.359.2326. If you need assistance please contact our billing team at 701.364.4117 or childcare@ymcanorthernsky.org. Thank you!