I was thinking of going back to get my PhD after a few years of working, right when I had a 2 year old and a newborn. I applied and was offered the best fellows

I was thinking of going back to get my PhD after a few years of working, right when I had a 2 year old and a newborn. I applied and was offered the best fellowship they had, but then I found out that the university’s health insurance plan for me didn’t cover my children, and the cost of covering the kids alone exceeded their generous fellowship. Negative money left for childcare, rent and food. Sadly it wasn’t even remotely possible. I even happened to know the dean of the graduate school through a childhood friend, and told him this story, and he shook his head and said “I know; it’s a problem. I’m sorry!”