Hacks, Resources, and Rights: Pregnant at University

Pregnant While Studying – A World of Opportunities
Pregnant in College – Are There Disadvantages
Reactions to Your Pregnancy on Campus
Things to Consider

• Timing
• Exams, Term Papers, and Other Credit Requirements
• Internships or Work-Studies While Pregnant
• Childcare in College
• Living Arrangements for Student Parents
• Location
• Medical Insurance

Financial Support for Pregnant Students

• Scholarships and other Resources for Pregnant Students
• Government Support for Pregnant Students

Peer Support for Pregnant Students
University: Perfect Timing for Pregnancy and Childbirth?!
Unintended Pregnancy in College - Overrun with Concerns

United States of America:

• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex—including pregnancy and parental status—in educational programs and activities. All public and private schools, school districts, colleges, and universities which receive federal funding must comply with Title IX.
• The Office for Civil Rights on the U.S. Department of Education website fleshes out the practical implications.
• Your Title IX coordinator on campus can answer any legal questions you might have.

United Kingdom:

• Equality Act 2010
• The Citizens Advice Bureau explains this in detail.

Northern Ireland:

• Protection from discrimination for pregnant or parenting students is provided in the following legislation:
  • Sex Discrimination Order 1976 (SDO)
  • Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA)
  • Special Educational Needs and Disability Order 2005 (SENDO)
• Details are found in the Short Guide to Discrimination Law.

Republic of Ireland:

• Each university has a set of policies regarding student parents with the focus on accommodations. These make it possible for students to pick up where they left off after maternity leave/leave of absence.

Australia:

• Australian discrimination laws apply to pregnancies in college or university. You may not be expelled or prevented from enrolling because of your pregnancy.
• Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 

Canada:

• The Canadian Human Rights Act specifically lists “family status” as a “prohibited ground of discrimination”. Accommodations must be made if the pregnancy creates a disability (morning sickness, doctor’s visits etc.)
• “Discriminatory Practices
  • 5 It is a discriminatory practice in the provision of goods, services, facilities, or accommodation customarily available to the general public
    • (a) to deny, or to deny access to, any such good, service, facility, or accommodation to any individual, or
    • (b) to differentiate adversely in relation to any individual,
  • on a prohibited ground of discrimination.”

New Zealand:

• The Human Rights Act of 1993 1a lists sex as prohibited grounds of discrimination. This includes pregnancy and childbirth.

South Africa:

• Based on the Equality Clause contained in the Bill of Rights, students may not be discriminated against because of their pregnancy status.
• The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (Act 4 of 2000) also protects pregnant students from discrimination.

Austria:

• See our Austrian page: Schwanger im Studium

Germany:

• See our German page: Schwanger im Studium

Italy:

• See our Italian page: Incinta durante lo studio

Portugal:

• See our Portuguese page: Grávida durante os estudos

Switzerland:

• See our Swiss page: Schwanger im Studium

United States of America:

• A pregnancy may lead you to withdraw from your studies for medical reasons. Therefore, it is advisable to sign up for tuition insurance.
  • You would be reimbursed all your student fees, including
    • Enrolment fees
    • Tuition
    • Room and board

United Kingdom:

• You are entitled to a leave of absence, but you are not obligated to take maternity leave.
• Apply for Universal Credit.
• Contact your assessment authority in writing to request your student finance to continue. This is up to their discretion. Include:
  • 1. An explanation of your financial hardship, should their payments cease
  • 2. An explanation of your lack of alternative income.
  • 3. List of monthly expenses
• Apply to the discretionary Student Financial Support Fund. Include:
  • 1. Reason for your leave of absence
  • 2. Date when you will return to university.
  • 3. Rejection letter from the assessment authority for student finance
• Students enrolled on NHS pre-registration courses who are receiving the maintenance grant element of the NHS Bursary will continue to receive their normal monthly bursary payments, including any dependent’s allowances, during their maternity leave/absence.

Northern Ireland:

• You are entitled to a leave of absence.
• Apply for Universal Credit

Republic of Ireland:

• If you have not paid into the system, you can apply for Half-Rate Maternity Benefit, if you are receiving One Parent Family Payment.
• You must go on maternity leave two weeks before your due date and may return to your studies four weeks after the due date.
• Let your tutor know at least four weeks before you go on maternity leave. You must supply your tutor with a medical certificate confirming the pregnancy and specifying the due date.
• Your tutor will bring your request for leave before the academic registry. You will most likely have to go off-books, unless much of your leave falls within a vacation period. 

Australia:

• Centrelink Education Entry Payment helps you to pay the costs of returning to your studies. You do not need to make a separate application. Once you provide your proof of enrollment, Centrelink will automatically assess your eligibility for Education Entry Payment.

Canada:

• You can leave up to three terms. You will have to fill out a leave of absence form, available from your university. Talk to a member of your university’s Family Care Office or your Students Union.
• Financial Assistance while on maternity leave:
• SGS Parental Grants of up to $5833 per term are awarded to doctoral students who are taking a leave of absence.
• You can also apply for OASP

New Zealand:

• You have the right to take a leave of absence. If you take a break which lasts more than three weeks, your regular student payments may cease.
• This is when you can apply for Jobseeker Support Student Hardship.

South Africa:

• Go to the Office of Student Support (OSS) for assistance. They will arrange for you to take a ‘leave of absence’ (LOA) rather than de-register
• A student mother who wishes to return immediately after the birth of her baby must provide the school with a medical attest, certifying that she is physically fit to do so.

Austria:

• See our Austrian page: Schwanger im Studium

Germany:

• See our German page: Schwanger im Studium

Italy:

• See our Italian page: Incinta durante lo studio

Portugal:

• See our Portuguese page: Grávida durante os estudos

Switzerland:

• See our Swiss page: Schwanger im Studium

United States of America:

• According to Title IX regulations, “your school MUST:
  • Excuse absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as your doctor says it is necessary.
  • Allow you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before your medical leave began, which should include giving you the opportunity to make up any work missed while you were out.
  • Ensure that teachers understand the Title IX requirements related to excused absences/medical leave. Your teacher may not refuse to allow you to submit work after a deadline you missed because of pregnancy or childbirth. If your teacher’s grading is based in part on class participation or attendance and you missed class because of pregnancy or childbirth, you should be allowed to make up the participation or attendance credits you didn’t have the chance to earn.
  • Provide pregnant students with the same special services it provides to students with temporary medical conditions. This includes homebound instruction/at-home tutoring/independent study.”

United Kingdom:

• Discuss your plans with your tutor. If your tutor is not providing sufficient support, don’t let this disturb you. Contact the Head of Department.
• For more helpful hints, go to Pregnant at Uni.

Northern Ireland:

• Tell your tutor if you need an extension to an assignment deadline. Should this be your final assignment you will need to use the special circumstances procedure within 14 days of the cut-off date. Include a letter from your doctor or midwife in your application, stating that you were unable to meet the deadline.

Republic of Ireland:

• Your program handbook will tell you where and how to apply for accommodations and deferrals. This could be the college office, the Student Affairs Committee, your department office, or your tutor, but not the Examinations Office.
• If you are granted a deferred examination, all other examinations for that time period will automatically be deferred.
• Once you inform your tutor of your pregnancy, your tutor is expected to create a management plan for you.

Australia:

• Contact your course director if you would like to decrease your study load. Speak to your subject coordinator/s about accommodations, such as extensions. Get in touch with the Student Liaison Team (Disability) if pregnancy symptoms disrupt your studies.

Canada:

• For accommodations and deferrals contact the University Registrar’s Office.

New Zealand:

• Accommodations differ from university to university. Oftentimes exemption forms are used.

South Africa:

Talk to your module coordinator(s). You may be asked to show the baby’s birth certificate.

Austria:

• See our Austrian page: Schwanger im Studium

Germany:

• See our German page: Schwanger im Studium

Italy:

• See our Italian page: Incinta durante lo studio

Portugal:

• See our Portuguese page: Grávida durante os estudos

Switzerland:

• See our Swiss page: Schwanger im Studium

United States of America:

• According to Title IX regulations, if you choose to complete your internship, you should be permitted to do so:
• “Your school must allow you to participate in classes and extracurricular activities even though you are pregnant and not require you to submit a doctor’s note unless your school requires a doctor’s note from all students who have a physical or emotional condition requiring treatment by a doctor. Your school also must not require a doctor’s note from you after you have been hospitalized for childbirth unless it requires a doctor’s note from all students who have been hospitalized for other conditions.”

United Kingdom:

• You must take compulsory maternity leave from your internship for two weeks after your baby is born.

Northern Ireland:

• You must take compulsory maternity leave for two weeks after your baby is born, or four weeks if your internship is in a factory.
• When you inform your tutor of your pregnancy, your tutor will review the risk assessment for your specific work and make necessary changes to protect you and your unborn baby's health.

Republic of Ireland:

• Each internship has their own policy guidelines written by your university. Longer internships may allow for sick leave or maternity leave. Usually, internships can be postponed.
• If you are employed, maternity leave rights and regulations apply to your situation.
• You must take at least 2 weeks’ maternity leave before your baby is due, and at least 4 weeks after the baby is born.

Australia:

• If you intend to take part in a professional experience while pregnant, you must give your course coordinator a medical certificate stating your fitness to undertake the placement.
• A risk assessment will be made before your placement.
• When pregnant you have the choice to withdraw from your internship without penalty and complete the placement later. Discuss this with the Program Convenor. You may also continue with the placement.

Canada:

• If you are currently working as well as studying and have been with your current employer for at least 13 weeks, you may be entitled to a leave of absence and your job will be protected.
• If you are pregnant, you are entitled to 17 weeks' pregnancy leave and up to 61 weeks of parental leave from work
• Check whether you are eligible by going to Service Canada.

New Zealand:

• You are required by law to take a risk assessment exam when you get pregnant at university. Here is a sample risk assessment template.

South Africa:

• If your placement puts you in an environment that uses procedures, substances and chemicals that may be potentially hazardous to your health or the health of your unborn baby, you are required to notify the module coordinator of your pregnancy.

Austria:

• See our Austrian page: Schwanger im Studium

Germany:

• See our German page: Schwanger im Studium

Italy:

• See our Italian page: Incinta durante lo studio

Portugal:

• See our Portuguese page: Grávida durante os estudos

Switzerland:

• See our Swiss page: Schwanger im Studium

United States of America:

• The U.S. Department of Education has recognized how a lack of adequate childcare has contributed to high dropout rates among student parents. As a result, they created the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program, which offers colleges funding for childcare services and provides students with federal student aid that can also be used to help them pay for childcare.
• Childcare Subsidies and Vouchers
• The federal government provides grants and funding to states and local communities to cover a portion of day care services for student parents. Call 800-424-2246

United Kingdom:

• The Childcare Grant is available to full-time students. To qualify, you must have a dependent child or children in registered or approved childcare. If you qualify, you can receive up to 85 per cent of your actual childcare costs.
• Lone Parent's Childcare Grants are government payments to universities towards the cost of registered childcare costs. The maximum amount you can receive is up to £1,215/ year. You should apply for this from your college or university, who will choose who to grant it to out of their Childcare Fund.
• Tax Free Childcare covers 25% of your childcare costs, up to £2,000 per year
• For more information and advice please contact your university or college.
• Day Nursery
  • Many Universities offer day nurseries for 3 months and up
• Childminders (£6 per hour,)
• Day Nursery (£100 to £200 per week)
• Nursery School ages 3-5 (normally free)
• This is where you can find daycare and find out if you can get help with childcare costs.

Northern Ireland:

• Both Ulster and Queens offer day nurseries/creches on campus. 
• Childcare grants cover 85% of your costs, paying up to £148.75 per week.

Republic of Ireland:

• Income Assessed Subsidy 
  • If you are studying and earning less than E26.000 per year – you will be entitled to up to 45 hours of subsidized childcare per week at E5.10 per hour. 
• The Universal Childcare Subsidy pays .50 Euro per hour.
• Wrap Around Childcare Subsidy is available to you before and after school hours and during school holidays.

Australia:

• Many universities have childcare at a reduced rate and preference is given to children of students, before offering spots to the public, like RMIT, Victoria University, Curtin University, UWA, JCU, UC, and UNSW
• Centrelink – Child Care Benefit
  • Child Care Benefit helps you with the cost of childcare for long day care, family day care, occasional care, outside school hours care, vacation care and registered care
• Centrelink – Child Care Rebate
  • Child Care Rebate assists parents or guardians with your out-of-pocket expenses for approved childcare if you are studying
• Centrelink – Jobs, Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance (JETCCFA)
  • Jobs, Education and Training (JET) Child Care provides extra help with the cost of childcare for student parents. JET Child Care can help meet the cost of childcare by paying most of the “gap fee” not covered by Child Care Benefit for the hours of care you need for studies.

Canada:

• Many Universities have daycare on campus.
• Childcare Subsidy

New Zealand:

• Seven out of the eight universities in New Zealand offer childcare to students at reduced rates including: Auckland University, Lincoln University, Massey University, University of Canterbury, University of Otago, and University of Wellington. 
  • Here is help with the cost of preschool childcare: Childcare Subsidy

South Africa:

• Creche services are available all day for R1500-R4500 per month.

Austria:

• See our Austrian page: Schwanger im Studium

Germany:

• See our German page: Schwanger im Studium

Italy:

• See our Italian page: Incinta durante lo studio

Portugal:

• See our Portuguese page: Grávida durante os estudos

Switzerland:

• See our Swiss page: Schwanger im Studium

United States of America:

8% of all U.S. colleges and universities have on-campus housing for student parents.

Apply for Section 8 Housing / Housing Choice Voucher Program, which helps low-income earners and their families with rental expenses. The program is managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) who will directly pay a housing subsidy on your behalf to your landlord. You are only responsible for the difference between the subsidy and the total amount of rent due.

United Kingdom:

• Apply for Council Housing
• Apply for Housing Benefit (This is being replaced by Universal Credit)

Northern Ireland:

• Check with your college’s residential services team for availability of family housing.
• Apply for Social Housing

Republic of Ireland:

• Apply for Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)
• Apply for Rent Supplement
• Apply for Local Authority and Social Housing

Australia:

• Share housing costs with other single moms using Shareabode.
• General Public Housing Application (Make a web-search for your state)
• Social Housing (Make a web-search for your state)
• The Relocation Scholarship will be paid to eligible dependent Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY recipients to help with the costs of living away from home to study.
• Rent Assistance gives you extra help if you rent privately.

Canada:

• Apply with the Affordable Housing Program

New Zealand:

• Apply for Public Housing
• Apply for Rates Rebates

South Africa:

• Students who reside at a university residence are required to inform the relevant Resident Life Officer or the Manager: Student Residence Affairs as well as the Campus Health Clinic.
• The Social Housing Company and National Association of Social Housing Organizations
• FLISP Government house subsidy: up to R168.853 to buy a house

Austria:

• See our Austrian page: Schwanger im Studium

Germany:

• See our German page: Schwanger im Studium

Italy:

• See our Italian page: Incinta durante lo studio

Portugal:

• See our Portuguese page: Grávida durante os estudos

Switzerland:

• See our Swiss page: Schwanger im Studium

United States of America:

• If you are concerned about your athletics scholarship, know that it cannot be withdrawn because of pregnancy. You will be able to keep it for the remainder of the school year.
• Seek out your college financial aid counselor.
• Meet with your college’s Title IX Coordinator.
• There are scholarships for pregnant students and single moms.
• SingleMothersGrants.Org supplies an amazing summary of all kinds of support available to single moms.
• Contact the Single Parents Alliance of America.
• Seek out your local Pregnancy Resource Center for material support.

United Kingdom:

• Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for Northern Ireland, Scotland, or Wales
• Apply for a Lone Parents’ Grant if you are a single mom. You will be able to receive up to £1,305/ year.
• The government supplies universities with discretionary funds for students who have financial difficulties. Ask your Student Support or Student Services Office how to apply.
• Access to Learning Fund (ALF) is available at your university. Google "ALF" and pick out your university's page.
• Check if you are eligible for any other general grant offered by SAAS.
• Get free baby items such as diapers, clothes, and a car seat through Baby Banks.
• Go to the Advice and Guidance Team of your University. They will be able to help you apply for grants. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction for the support available for student parents, and help you understand how to talk to your tutor about it. 
• Apply for a Parent’s Learning Allowance through the Student Loans Company.
• Get advice from the National Association of Student Money Advisors (Nasma)

Northern Ireland:

• Your Student Resource Center will help you find available scholarships.

Republic of Ireland:

• Student Parent Welfare Fund – Go directly to your university’s student support office to find out how to apply.
• Apply for the ESF Student Assistance Fund (a childcare receipt will help you receive this).

Australia:

• If you are a student and under 24, you can apply for a Youth Allowance.
• If you are over 25, you can apply for Austudy.
• Help for Aussies struggling to get financial assistance 
• Nappy banks are often located in the same premise as your local food bank.
• Low Income Loans Australia helps you get free baby stuff.

Canada:

• Contact the Equality Service Staff of your University.
• Ask your Student Union Welfare Officer for financial advice.
• Your Enrolment Services Advisor is another helpful point of contact.
•  The on-campus food bank provides emergency food relief and personal hygiene supplies to students.
• Your university wants you to be able to stay and will work hard to make it happen by providing resources for student parents.
• Check out your university’s website. Pages are often dedicated to the needs of student parents.
• Apply for Scholarships.
• Pregnancy Resource Centers are a place to get advice and baby gear. You can find your local center through a web search or by going to Optionline or Carenet.

New Zealand:

• Apply for Share to Care Single Parent Scholarships.
• If you are pregnant in college, go to your college Scholarship office and see what resources are available to you.
• Material assistance and counselling are available at Pregnancy Help

South Africa:

• Contact your local Pregnancy Resource Center

Austria:

• See our Austrian page: Schwanger im Studium

Germany:

• See our German page: Schwanger im Studium

Italy:

• See our Italian page: Incinta durante lo studio

Northern Ireland:

• Your Student Resource Center will help you find available scholarships.

Portugal:

• See our Portuguese page: Grávida durante os estudos

Switzerland:

• See our Swiss page: Schwanger im Studium

United States of America:

• The extensive list of resources can be overwhelming. First, go to your local Medicaid office. Here you can apply for several of the resources listed below.
• Register with FASFA as an independent student if you are providing at least half of the support for your baby. This will make you eligible for more money.
• The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides you with food vouchers for you while you are pregnant, and for your baby after birth.
• The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides financial aid during the last 3 months of pregnancy and after birth.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as the food stamp program, provides debit cards to low-income and no-income families for the purchase of groceries.
• The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay for electricity and gas bills.

United Kingdom:

• Your student welfare office can offer advice and guidance about your next steps.
• Apply for the Sure Start Maternity Grant: 500 pounds 
• Healthy Start (known as Best Start in Scotland) helps you with healthy food. 
• Child Benefit   
•  Go to Moneyhelper.org.uk to find out which benefits you can claim when you are studying and are expecting a baby. 
• Parents Learning Allowance 

Northern Ireland:

• Apply for extra help for students with children.
• Apply for Parents’ Learning Allowance
• Also apply for Universal Credit.
• Apply for support funds through the student support services of your university.

Republic of Ireland:

• Apply for One Parent Family Payment (208 pounds per week).
• If you have no income, you may be entitled to the basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) (approx., 117 Euro)   
• You can apply for Child Benefit (140 pounds per month)

Australia:

• Apply for Family Tax Benefit Part A to receive up to $191.24 per fortnight.
• This government site links you to every government funding possible for a pregnant student.
• Centrelink – Parenting Payment (also known as Single Parent Benefit, Single Mothers Pension) helps with the costs of caring for children. It is paid to the primary caregiver of a child.
• Centrelink – Students Start-up Scholarship for full-time students receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY Living Allowance. $1.064 is paid at the beginning of each semester to help with the start-up costs of studying.
• Centrelink – Telephone Allowance helps with the costs of a telephone and home internet service.

Canada:

• Find out how much you are due, by using the child and family benefits calculator.
• Apply for Canada Child Benefit

New Zealand:

• Apply for Studylink

South Africa:

• Apply for the SASSA Child Support Grant to receive R460 per month.

Austria:

• See our Austrian page: Schwanger im Studium

Germany:

• See our German page: Schwanger im Studium

Italy:

• See our Italian page: Incinta durante lo studio

Portugal:

• See our Portuguese page: Grávida durante os estudos

Switzerland:

• See our Swiss page: Schwanger im Studium

United States of America:

• Find peer support and a baby shower at Embrace Grace.

United Kingdom:

• Many universities have a peer network, such as the University of Durham Mothers and Mothers-to-be Support (MAMS) Network.
• Go to Homestart to network with other moms and find a volunteer who would like to make your life easier.

Northern Ireland:

• Through Home Start you can get in touch with other single moms and find a volunteer who would like to make your life easier.  
• Find support through Gingerbread NI

Republic of Ireland:

• Take advantage of the network of support within the university in Student Services and the Students Union.
• Universities often have a drop-in space specifically for expectant parents and student parents which is hosted by Student Parent Support Service. 

Australia:

• Many Unis have their own peer support group for pregnant and parenting college students. Check your university’s website to find out more.

Canada:

• Student Parents on Campus (SPOC) offers tangible help for student parents such as study breaks, financial workshops, and clothing and toy swaps. 
• Find peer support and a baby shower at Embrace Grace.

New Zealand:

• Check your university’s website or student services office to find a support group near you.

South Africa:

• A good place to start is the SA Mom Blogs and Young Mom Support.
• Meet other pregnant students and get free baby gear at Embrace Grace.

Austria:

• See our Austrian page: Schwanger im Studium

Germany:

• See our German page: Schwanger im Studium

Italy:

• See our Italian page: Incinta durante lo studio

Portugal:

• See our Portuguese page: Grávida durante os estudos

Switzerland:

• See our Swiss page: Schwanger im Studium