Gateway Community and Technical College provides childcare assistance to enrolled, eligible students. New students enrolling at Gateway are asked to self-identify nonacademic barriers to program completion. In addition to housing concerns and potential for food insecurity, childcare needs are consistently cited as one of top three risks for student dropouts.  The pandemic has highlighted the need for quality, flexible childcare in all aspects of the economy. On average, one in five students at Gateway has at least one minor dependent child. The childcare assistance program has been offered since 2018. As life returns to a semblance of normal, Gateway’s goal is to increase the number of students who have access to childcare assistance program.