Students who are pregnant or have children or dependants
Tips for Advising
Student parents face many unique challenges, so it’s helpful to understand what those challenges are and when to or how to refer a student parent to the Student Parent Help Center for services and/or resources. One of the biggest challenges is finding and paying for child care. Not all student parents can find child care or afford to pay for the cost of child care along with their monthly bills while attending school. It is crucial to let them know about child care grants and refer them to the Student Parent Help Center for the screening process. The University offers two different child care grants, both of which can be used to pay for the cost of child care or daycare. The center also offers a one-time emergency assistance grant to registered student parents who are facing critical financial needs.
There is a stigma behind “teen moms” or “young parents.” In most cases, these individuals will not seek help or services. They do not want to be looked down upon and by the time they do seek help, it’s too late. Therefore, knowing when to step in is crucial for advisors. Some student parents may also struggle to find the balance of being a student and a parent. Helping them create a flexible schedule that allows them to both work and parent is important. Keep in mind that not only are these individuals focusing on their academic work and trying to graduate on time but that they’re also focusing on being a parent, whether it’s their first time or not.
Just like any other students on campus, student parents also face many challenges. If a student parent is not doing so well academically, it's worth checking in to see if there are any underlying concerns.
Referring Students
When to refer a student parent to our center:
- Financial need - We offer two child care grants, emergency fund, holiday gift program
- Emotional distress - We have a support group for undergraduate parents, and counselors who are available for meetings to help connect students to resources and provide emotional support
- Advocacy needs - We can help students navigate parts of their academic lives impacted by parenthood. Examples include helping students talk to professors about missing school for a child’s illness, etc. Student parents are protected under Title IX.
- Lactation resources - We have lactation rooms available in Appleby Hall, and information about lactation resources around campus
How to refer a student:
Any undergraduate student parent can utilize the services, resources and programs at the Student Parent Help Center. Graduate students are also now being served, but with more limited programming.
To enroll in services, students should contact the SPHC directly at 612-626-6015 and schedule an intake. Advisors can also help students connect with the SPHC through an APLUS referral to ‘Student Parent Help Center.’ Advisors are welcome to consult with staff at the SPHC regarding specific students or ideas on how to support and advise student parents.
Early Registration
Pregnant or parenting students in Minnesota have the ability to register early for classes if needed. This law (Minnesota Statutes § 135A.1582) is designed to help students balance academic and parenting responsibilities.
Students who are connected with the Student Parent Help Center will receive the ‘HCCS’ student group code. All term-activated, degree-seeking students with an HCCS student group will be placed in appointment number 0001 of Stage 1 registration, which is the first appointment time on the first day of registration.
Students who are not yet connected with the Student Parent Help Center may not yet have the HCCS student group code and therefore will not receive a Stage 1 registration time. If a student shares that they are pregnant or a student parent, advisors should inform the student of their ability to register early especially if they do not yet have the HCCS student group code. Advisors should refer students directly to One Stop for assistance with their registration time and encourage students to connect with the Student Parent Help Center for getting the student group code added for automatic priority registration going forward. One Stop will put students in the earlier registration time available at that point. For example, if the registration queue is in Stage 3 and the student's registration time is in Stage 4, One Stop will move the student to the earliest time available in Stage 3.
Note: Graduate/professional students and non-degree seeking students are not included in this automated process. Graduate/professional students are already in Stage 1 registration. Non-degree students are not included because the legislation is intended to assist students with completing their degrees in a timely manner.
Contacts:
Na king Xiong M.Ed.
Undergraduate Student Parent Counselor
Student Parent HELP Center
Rm 24A Appleby Hall
(612) 626-0824
[email protected]
Susan Warfield MSW, LICSW
Program Director
Student Parent HELP Center
Rm 120 Appleby Hall
612-625-5437
[email protected]