Military Child Care Fee Assistance (MCCYN)
DoD helps offset the cost of off-base, community child care when on-installation care isn’t available — administered through Child Care Aware of America.
Who qualifies: Active duty, National Guard.
**What It Is**
When a military family can’t get a spot at an on-installation Child Development Center, the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program helps pay for **licensed off-base child care** in the community, lowering what you pay out of pocket.
**How It Works**
• You use a **licensed/accredited** community child-care provider that meets program standards.
• The DoD pays a portion of the cost directly to the provider; you pay the difference (your family fee is based on total family income).
• Each service runs its own version (Army Fee Assistance, Air Force/Space Force, Navy, and Marine Corps programs), coordinated through **Child Care Aware of America**.
**Who It Helps**
Active-duty families (and eligible Guard/Reserve, DoD civilians in some cases) who need child care but can’t access on-base care.
**How to Apply**
Apply through **Child Care Aware of America** (militarychildcare.com / usa.childcareaware.org). Confirm your provider is eligible before you enroll so the assistance can be applied.
**Tip**
Also register on **MilitaryChildCare.com** for on-base waitlists — you can pursue both at once and take whichever comes through first.