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Pregnancy Resources

Baby playing peekaboo.

Learn about support resources for students who are pregnant or expecting to be pregnant.

Contrary to popular myth, it is far from necessary to "drop out" of college when you start a family. As an expecting parent there are many options for you:

  • You may take a limited leave of absence, re-enroll part-time, and then come back to school full time.** 
  • You may also choose to remain in school full time, the entire time. 
  • At family housing you can always take summers off and remain in your apartment. 
  • Student-parents who live off campus can qualify for continuous reduced course load.**

There are specific requirements for part-time and leave of absence eligibility and documentation is required, but please know there is an established support network here for you. 

In addition, please visit our Women's Center website for additional resources.

Note: Academic, housing, and financial aid leave of absence policies differ for undergraduates and graduates; please review the full policies before you make a choice.

Find support during your pregnancy (and beyond):

Community

  • UCSD is home to hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students who have children. Many of these students with dependents have experienced pregnancy and childbirth while enrolled as a full-time student. To connect for support, advice, and most importantly, friends who know the ins-and-outs of parenting/guardianship while holding academic responsibilities, then please fill out the Google Form and subscribe to our listserv.

Housing

  • If you are an undergraduate or graduate student-parent with medical proof of pregnancy, you are eligible to live at UCSD affiliated housing. You will have priority placement in Graduate and Family Housing. This means you can apply to Graduate and Family Housing as soon as you know you are pregnant and that you will be placed in an apartment with priority consideration.
  • Already live on campus? If you are pregnant and you wish to move to family housing, you are eligible. You may apply for family housing and you will receive priority consideration.

Financial aid resources

Once you become a parent you are considered an "independent" student for financial aid purposes. This means you may qualify for more tution assistance than you currently have if you have been classified as a "dependent" student. 

  • According to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) procedures, you may include "an unborn child that will be born before the end of the award year" on your FAFSA application.

  • The following text is cited from Question # 50, FAFSA Q&A: "Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012? ―Support includes money, gifts, loans, housing, food, clothes, car payments or expenses, medical and dental care, and payment of school costs. An applicant whose unborn child will be born before the end of the award year (June 30, 2012) may answer ―Yes‖ if the child will receive more than half of his or her support from you throughout the award year. Note that the support is the issue here; it does not matter whether the child lives with you or not."

State and federal financial resource programs

As a student who is pregnant you may be eligible for the following state and federal programs:

  • "The CalWorks program provides temporary financial assistance and employment focused services to families with minor children who have income and property below State maximum limits for their family size."

  • "The CalFresh program helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs."

  • "WIC is a nutrition-assistance program dedicated to improving the health and development of pregnant parents and families with little ones under the age of five."

Note: The information above is quoted directly from the links provided for each program as an informational resource for UCSD student-parents. Please refer to each individual agency for application procedures and eligibility.

Health insurance and nutrition resources

Important note: If you receive UCSD Student Health Insurance (SHIP), you are covered during your pregnancy. Talk to Student Health Services directly for further details.

Read more about health insurance and nutrition resources available to you and your family members.

In addition, explore additional health resources: