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Student Families

About one in ten of the nearly 10,000 graduate students at the University of California, Berkeley, has a child. Recognizing the special challenges involved in balancing school and family responsibilities, the university is committed to supporting policies, programs, and services to help graduate student parents meet their family care obligations while they pursue their academic goals.

Student Family Guides

Please take a look at Families Matter (PDF), a quick guide for graduate student parents at UC Berkeley or visit Resource: Students with Children, offering information about childcare, housing, recreation, support and things to do with your kids.

Childbirth Accommodation Funding

The Policy on Accommodation of Research Doctoral Student Parents provides information about the accommodations for research doctoral students who are undergoing childbirth or coping with other serious parenting demands. Students can apply for continued support through the Childbirth Accommodation Fund by completing the Petition for Childbirth Accommodation Funding (PDF).

Financial Assistance

Visit the Student Family Assistance page of our website and learn more about financial assistance that aid student families and provide resources in the search for affordable housing, child care, health insurance, and more.

Child Care

The University Early Childhood Education Program serves registered Berkeley student parents with children from three months to seven years old. Priority is given to families with children currently enrolled in the program and then to low-income families with child care need (generally, parents must be in school full time or working). Student families eligible for subsidy pay fees on a sliding scale, based on family income and family size. Some full-fee spaces are also available. Parents are asked to participate at the child care centers one to two hours per week. Applications are accepted year-round, but admissions process begins mid-May for the fall semester and mid-November for spring semester. For more information and applications, visit the program’s website, contact the University of California Early Childhood Education Program, 2610 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94720-2272, or phone (510) 642-1827. Spaces are limited.

Family Housing

Student Family Housing is available to married students and students with a domestic partner, with or without children, and to single student parents.

Health Insurance

University Health Services can help you learn more about plans available to student families. Consult their website for more information.

 

Last Updated: April 9, 2009 12:56 PM