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Parenting Student Resources

A parenting student is someone who is enrolled in any level of education or training and is concurrently responsible for (or imminently will be responsible for) providing for a child of any age. They may be a biological parent, stepparent, unmarried coparent, adoptive parent, foster parent, guardian, grandparent, extended family member or sibling caregiver.1

According to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Survey, over 5.4 million students are parenting in the United States, accounting for 22% of all undergraduate students and 31% of all graduate students2. Parenting students earn comparable grades and have higher GPAs than non-parenting students3, but are less likely to complete their degrees. Parenting students are also more likely to report challenges in loan repayment and difficulty meeting basic needs4.

UC Merced’s Dean of Students Office believes that no student should be asked to choose between receiving an education and caring for their family. For this reason, we are dedicated to providing resources and support for parenting students.

Pregnant and parenting students are protected and have rights to accommodations, access to lactation spaces, and protections against discrimination under Title IX. If you need assistance with accommodations or feel you are being discriminated against, please contact the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) to speak with a Title IX delegate. OPHD is located on the 3rd floor of the Kolligian Library in room 323. The office accepts drop-in visits Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm. Fridays are by appointment only. To contact the office, email ophd@ucmerced.edu or call (209) 355-0352.

Resources

Resources for food assistance

CalFresh

CalFresh is a federal nutrition assistance program that helps eligible individuals and families stretch a tight food budget. CalFresh also helps many afford to incorporate healthy foods like fruits and vegetables into their diets. Those who qualify are entitled to receive this assistance and will not take someone else’s place or money from another person or program.

On Campus Contact: CalFresh Outreach

Location: Basic Needs Center in the Terrace Center, room 106

Contact Number: (209) 891-9781

Eligibility is determined by CalFresh County Representatives after applying. For basic eligibility criteria for those most likely to be eligible, click here.

California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides food, specialized nutritional and breastfeeding support and other resources for low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as for fathers, guardians and foster parents caring for children under the age of six. Those who receive CalFresh are automatically income-eligible to receive WIC.

Basic guidelines for eligibility include income at or below stated guidelines, being pregnant, having been pregnant within the past 6 months, breastfeeding a baby under 1 year of age, or be caring for a child under age five. Approval for WIC benefits is determined by employees of a WIC agency.

Support with applying for WIC and more information about eligibility, benefits, and applying can be found at https://myfamily.wic.ca.gov/

Bobcat Pantry

The Bobcat Pantry provides access to nutritious and healthy food for all graduate and undergraduate students, with a focus on sustainable practices and a holistic approach to a healthy and nutrition-conscious lifestyle.

Location: Terrace Center 131, next to the Residence Education office inside of the den. Please fill out the Grocery Pick-Up form found on the Basic Needs website prior to visiting.

Contact email: basicneeds@ucmerced.edu

For additional food support services, visit basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/food-support

Resources for financial assistance

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is administered by The Internal Revenue Service and offers free basic tax preparation for low- and moderate-income taxpayers. Assistance is generally available from February 1 through April 15th.

Eligibility for VITA is determined by VITA professionals. General guidelines for eligibility are those who make $64,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers. For more information and to find a VITA site near you, click here.

California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)

For low-income working adults in California, the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) offers up to a $3,147 in the form of a reduction in tax liability OR a refund (“cash back”) as of 2023. CalEITC may also allow filers to qualify for the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC). Refundable tax credits contribute to significant declines in adult and child poverty rates.

Eligibility for CalEITC is determined by employees of a CalEITC agency. Basic guidelines for eligibility include meeting all of the following: being 18 years or older or having a qualifying child, having an earned income between $1 and $30,950, having a valid SSN or ITIN for yourself, spouse, and any qualifying children, have lived in California for more than half of the filing year, not be eligible to be claimed as a qualifying child of another taxpayer, and not be eligible to be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer unless you have a qualifying child. For information on what a qualifying child is, click here.

Support with applying for CalEITC and more information about eligibility, benefits, and applying can be found here.

Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC)

The Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) provides a credit of up to $1,117 per 2023 tax return for California residents with a child under the age of 6 who also qualify for CalEITC.

Eligibility for YCTC is determined by YCTC professionals. Basic eligibility guidelines include having an earned income of $30,931 or less with a qualifying child under 6 years old and qualify for CalEITC.

Support with applying for CalEITC and more information about eligibility, benefits, and applying can be found here.

Emergency Funds

Emergency funds provide financial support to current UC Merced students when they need assistance with unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable emergency expenses surrounding situations such as accidents, illness, homelessness, fire damage, or need for temporary housing.

Students seeking emergency funds are required to meet with/speak with a representative of the Dean of Students Office to discuss their needs and begin an application. Applicants will be notified of a decision and/or appointment in a timely manner.

Appointments: Click here

Eligibility requirements: Click here.

Financial Wellness Center

The Financial Wellness Center is a resource for all students looking to achieve financial freedom. Through their five-step Financial Treks program, students will learn valuable skills to help them better understand and manage their finances. The Financial Wellness Center also offers financial coaching to assist students in creating a financial action plan.

For more information and to schedule a coaching session, visit https://financialwellness.ucmerced.edu/

Mental Health Resources

Counseling and Psychological Services

UC Merced Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides a variety of mental health supporting services, including individual and couples counseling, support groups, crisis intervention, consultation and referral, and wellness and prevention programming and outreach. Appointments can be made via phone.

Location: Second floor of the Health and Athletic Center

Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm excluding University determined holidays.

Phone Number (available after hours): (209) 228-4266

All registered students can be seen at CAPS for free.

Ombuds

The Office of the Ombuds is a safe, confidential, and informal place where UC Merced community members can go for informal assistance with managing conflict, complaints, and concerns with a colleague, classmate, supervisor or anyone else on campus. The Ombuds will listen; help identify options; make inquiries and make referrals as appropriate; and/or facilitate resolutions in an impartial manner.

Location: Student Services Building room 213

Phone Number: (209) 228-4410.

The Office of The Ombuds is equally available to all UC Merced students and employees. Appointments are strongly recommended and can be scheduled via phone.

Health Resources

Health Services

Health Services provides comprehensive medical, mental health and health promotion services to all registered UC Merced students. Services are designed to minimize the impact of illness, emotional distress and injury on studies and work.

Location: Second floor of the Health and Athletics Center

Phone Number: (209) 228-2273

All registered UC Merced students are eligible to utilize all services at the Student Health Center. Appointments can be made via phone.

Housing Resources

Housing and Residence Education

Housing and Residence Education aims to provide clean, safe, student-centered residential communities that support academic accomplishment, diversity, and respect for human dignity and student success.

The Housing Services office provides services in housing applications, assignments, contracts, and billing as well as in meal plans and food.

Location: Half Dome 195

Phone Number: (209) 228-2293

The Residence Education Office provides services for residential students including providing toilet paper, trash bags, and lock-out keys along with mail services and hall activities.

Location: 100 Terrace Center

Phone Number: (209) 228-4663

These resources primarily serve students who are living on-campus.

Off Campus Housing

Off Campus Housing Services works within Housing and Residence Education to provide students with information, resources, and advising on off-campus housing.

Information about Off Campus Housing Services can be found at https://housing.ucmerced.edu/off-campus

Emergency Housing

Emergency Housing ensures scholars experiencing displacement or homelessness have a safe place to stay temporarily while trying to secure permanent housing. Emergency Housing is intended for students in need of short-term housing. Scholars looking for long-term housing need to consult with the Off-Campus Housing resources.

Students seeking emergency housing are required to meet with/speak with a representative of the Dean of Students Office to discuss their needs and begin an application. Applicants will be notified of a decision and/or appointment in a timely manner.

Appointments: Click here

Eligibility Requirements: Click here.

Accessibility resources

Student Accessibility Services

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) aims to facilitate equal academic access to students with disabilities. This includes students with temporary disabilities resulting from pregnancy and/or labor.

Location: Arts and Computational Sciences Building (ACS) room 140

Phone Number: (209) 228-6996

Every student's situation and accommodation are unique, so the process for receiving accommodations and necessary documents may be different for everyone. Receipt of services by SAS is determined by an SAS staff member.

Other resources

The Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD)

The Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) oversees campus compliance with the University of California and UC Merced policies prohibiting protected category discrimination and harassment (including sexual harassment and violence). Oversight of these policies encompasses responding to and resolving reports of harassment and discrimination from students, staff, faculty, and visitors that are related to protected class and civil rights policies.

Location: 3rd floor of the Kolligian Library in room 323

Hours: The office accepts drop-ins Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm. Fridays are by appointment only.

Phone Number: (209) 355-0352

Lactation Rooms

Students in need of lactation spaces have the right to clean, safe, and functional lactation spaces free from view and intrusion. The Dean of Students Office at UC Merced offers Lactation Rooms to accommodate parents in need of lactation room spaces. These rooms are generally no more than a 5–7-minute walk from work areas and provide a private, sanitary, and safe lactation space. To be granted access to lactation rooms, set up an appointment with the Dean of Students Office and provide your full name, employee or student ID number, your email and phone number, your affiliation, and the estimated amount of time you will need to access the facilities up to two years.

Appointments: Click here

Locations and additional information: Click here

Early Childhood Education Center

The UC Merced Early Childhood Education Center is a high-quality program for young children of UC Merced parents and the local community. This program provides childcare to young children 6 weeks through 5 years.

Location: 5200 North Lake Road

Hours: Monday-Friday from 6 am to 5 pm

Phone Number: (209) 228-5437

Educational Leave Program

The Educational Leave Program allows students to suspend academic work at UC Merced, leave the campus and later resume studies at UC Merced with a minimum of procedural difficulties. Any registered student on the UC Merced campus is eligible to enroll in ELP, excluding international students.

Location: Administration Building

Phone Number: (209) 228-7178

More information: Click here

It is recommended to discuss taking an educational leave with a financial aid advisor.

Location: Administration Building

Hours: drop-in hours Monday-Friday 9am-12 pm and 1-4 pm

Phone Number: (209) 228-7187

Website: financialaid.ucmerced.edu

Student handbook

The student handbook can be found here.

Basic Needs

For more resources, visit the Basic Needs website: https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/

If you are pregnant and need to request a leave of absence or other accommodations, please request an appointment with the Dean of Students.

 

1. Urban Institute. (2023, March 23). Considerations for Postsecondary Data on Student Parenting Status. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/considerations-postsecondary-data-student-parenting-status

2. The SPARK Collaborative. (2024). Context: A Large Share of College Students are Parenting. studentparentaction.org/#Context

3. Institute for Women’s Policy Research. (2019, April 11). Parents in College by the Numbers. https://iwpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/C481_Parents-in-College-By-the-Numbers-Aspen-Ascend-and-IWPR.pdf