Parenting Students Resources
Please use the information below to learn about a variety of resources on campus and in our community for pregnant and parenting students.
Do you have additional questions or would you like more information? Contact the Dean of Students Office at dos@uh.edu or call (832) 842 – 6183 to be connected to the Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison.
Categories
Priority Registration
- Office of University Registrar FAQs
- Guide on How to Self-Identify as a Parenting Student in myUH Self Service
- Equal Opportunity Services (EOS)
- EOS helps with the academic accommodation process and related support services for pregnant and parenting students. EOS can serve as a hub for medical information and facilitate communications with faculty. You can reach EOS by phone at (713) 743 - 8835
- Justin Dart Jr. Student Accessibility Center
- The Dart Center can assist with additional disability-related accommodations should a pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition cause a temporary or permanent disability.
- LAUNCH Undergraduate Student Success Center
- LAUNCH provides tutoring, academic success workshops, one-on-one academic coaching, and an online library of strategies to help improve concentration, note-taking, reading, time management, test anxiety, and more.
- Challenger Program
- If you also identify as a first-generation college student (neither parent earned a four-year college degree), you may be eligible for additional support through the Challenger Program. This program offers tutoring, academic counseling, priority registration, and financial aid coaching, as well as a support system of other students.
- UH Writing Center
- The Writing Center meets individually with student writers, leads developmental writing classes, conducts presentations and workshops for students and faculty, and partners with members of the UH community to develop and support effective writing practices across campus.
- International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSSO)
- If you are an international student, the ISSSO provides a range of services such as pre-arrival assistance, support with maintaining VISA status and US regulation compliance, counseling and advocacy, cultural events and programs, and a Friendship program. Visit their page for various ways to contact their office.
Food + Financial
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Your Texas Benefits
Cougar Cupboard
- TANF provides cash payments to help families pay for food, clothing, housing, and other essentials such as utilities. Families with children ages 18 and younger with a certain income are eligible and may qualify for TANF. To apply, visit Your Texas Benefits.
- WIC provides healthy food, nutrition classes, breastfeeding support, and one-on-one nutrition counseling. To apply for WIC, visit their page for an online application. You can also call them to find a WIC office near you.
Your Texas Benefits
Cougar Cupboard
- The cupboard is available to all enrolled undergraduate or graduate students who need access to additional food. One-time sign-up and you will have access to a convenient store-sized location to “shop” for up to 30 lbs. of free groceries every week!
- The Center for Student Advocacy and Community is here to support students with any barriers to success that arise.
- CSAC is a welcoming space. The staff is family-friendly and can help get you connected to on-campus and off-campus resources. To request an appointment to talk with a staff member for personalized guidance and resource recommendations for your situation, please fill out this form: Free Resource Appointments
- The WGRC, in partnership with the Children’s Learning Center, can provide a free diaper bag to students who may need diapers or baby hygiene items. A request form is available here.
- The Dean of Students Office issues financial emergency loans up to $500. Students can apply for an emergency loan in the Dean of Students Office or online by completing the Emergency Loan Request Form and Promissory Note.
- The best place to get more information about your financial aid package and options for additional aid (if any) is the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. They are some of the most knowledgeable staff about your aid and options.
- Scholarship Universe is a free online tool that can help you find and apply for both UH and external scholarships. You can find this in your AccessUH account.
- Whether it is creating a personal spending plan, calculating a semester budget for the cost to attend UH or making better financial decisions in planning for the future, we can help you establish money habits that can lead to your financial success.
- Each year, the Staff Council and WGRC offer $1000 scholarships to UH students. Check the website for the application period that opens each Spring in early February.
- If you also identify as a first-generation student, DREAM.US scholar, post-traditional student (25+ first time in college), former foster youth, justice-involved, middle-squeezed, low socioeconomic status, or person experiencing homelessness, you may be eligible for scholarships from the Center for Student Empowerment. Complete their application and/or talk with one of their staff to see if you qualify for this added source of funding.
- Distributes food and other essentials to those in need through a network of more than 1,600 community partners. In addition, they provide programs and services aimed at helping families achieve long-term stability including nutrition education, health management, and help in securing state-funded assistance.
- Kids’ Meals delivers free, healthy meals, year-round, Monday-Friday to the homes of children age 5 or under who live within their 46 delivery zip codes. They also deliver 1-3 family grocery bags a week.
- The AD Bruce Religion Center provides a religious and spiritual home for several denominations, along with educational programs and activities that focus on interfaith dialogue. The campus ministers can provide confidential one-on-one pastoral consultations and connect students with a variety of resources. One of their popular programs is Free Wednesday Lunch, where UH community members can receive free lunch each Wednesday during the Fall and Spring semesters.
- UH students are eligible for discounted METRO fare cards and passes.
SNAP
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps people buy the food they need for good health. People also can buy garden seeds with SNAP benefits. SNAP food benefits are put on a Lone Star Card and can be used just like a credit card at any store that accepts SNAP.
Your Texas Benefits
- State benefits programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), Healthcare, and Support
Housing
- On-campus housing for families
- Each year, Family Scholar House serves disadvantaged residential and nonresidential single moms and dads and their children with a comprehensive, holistic continuum of care that meets them where they are and empowers them toward their educational, career and family goals.
Counseling & Psychological Services
- CAPS provides a range of counseling services to help you with your specific circumstances. If you would like to talk to a counselor about your pregnancy or parenting, they are available to provide 24-hour crisis support, referrals, and more. You can reach CAPS by phone at (713) 743 - 5454.
- Togetherall is a safe, anonymous peer-to-peer mental health support program that is available 24/7. To access Togetherall, visit their site and complete the registration with your @cougarnet.uh.edu email address.
- The Welltrack Boost app can help you cope with stress, depression, anxiety, and connect you with campus resources. To access Welltrack, go to their site or download their app (available for iPhone or Android) and register for an account with your @cougarnet.uh.edu email address.
Student Outreach and Support (SOS) at the Dean of Students Office
- The SOS team is committed to the success and well-being of all students in our UH community. In collaboration with campus, community, and healthcare partners, SOS works to help identify, educate, support, and refer students who may be experiencing complex personal difficulties.
- Provides mental health treatment options, including virtual intensive outpatient programs
Your Texas Benefits
- State benefits programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), Healthcare, and Support
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford to buy private insurance
- TANF provides cash payments to help families pay for food, clothing, housing, and other essentials.
- Women’s and Men’s Health Clinics are available. Referrals available for pregnancy.
- Lactation, nursing, or breast/chestfeeding rooms are private, clean spaces across campus for use by nursing parents to express milk or feed infants
UH-System endorsed student health insurance plan
UH Health Family Care Center- The Family Care Center offers affordable, comprehensive primary care services in one convenient location. Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine doctors take care of you and your family.
- Pediatric (child) communication skills are assessed by a diagnostic team of graduate student clinicians and professionals. Skills evaluated may include articulation (speech sounds), fluency (stuttering), voice, language skills, and social skills.
- UH-ADAPT is a clinical research center in the Department of Psychology that focuses on assessing and treating adolescents ages 11-17 and young adults 18-25 who struggle with emotional and relationship difficulties.
- Healthy Start is a national program that helps improve the lives of mothers, infants, and families before, during and beyond pregnancy.
- The Maternal Health Equity Research and Training Center is a college-level research and community engagement center in the Graduate College of Social Work focused on improving the health of vulnerable populations and their families through culturally responsive public awareness and health service delivery.
- Provide a range of medical and health services, including physical exams, HIV/STI testing, dental hygiene, counseling, and more.
- Provide a range of medical and health services, including physical exams, HIV/STI testing, dental hygiene, counseling, and more.
UH Children’s Learning Center
- The UH Children’s Learning Centers (CLC) has two convenient locations on campus for children ages 3 month-5 years old. Lower fees are applicable for students, and child-care tuition assistance is available for eligible student parents.
- Search for licensed childcare providers off-campus by location or by provider to find childcare operations matching search criteria
- Workforce Solutions is interested in helping families by providing childcare scholarships for those who qualify.
- Provides resources and support for families of young children as they grow and develop. It is a “one-stop shop” for state agency programs, services, and resources.
- Resources to help with parenting challenges. Asking for help is the first step to finding the right solution for your family.
- Early childhood development, mental health initiatives, and supportive services for the family are provided in the Greater Houston Area through extensive case management, coaching and navigational services.
- Supports parents and caregivers by putting research to practice through training, mentoring, advocacy, and collaboration.
- The program, using the LENA Start™ curriculum, consists of 14 one-hour sessions over four months where parents learn how to improve their child's early language free of charge.
Coog Student Parents
- Coog Student Parents is a Registered Student Organization at the University of Houston for parenting students. You can find their contact information on Get Involved in your AccessUH. Also, follow their account on Instagram @CoogStudentParents.
- This website features stories from parenting students. You can watch their videos to learn you are not alone! There is also a link to submit your own story to potentially be featured during National Student Parent Month in September.
- Texas Parent Helpline is a parent hotline that provides free information and referrals to counseling and thousands of other local services in communities across Texas to help you deal with the many challenges of parenting.
- Article: New Protections for Parenting Students in Texas
- Tips for being successful:
- Connect with other students who are parenting. They may understand what you’re going through and can help answer your questions and navigate college while parenting. Not sure where to find other student parents? Start with Coog Student Parents, UH’s registered student organization for parenting students.
- Talk about your difficulties and be willing to ask for help. You might be surprised at how willing others are to help you. If they can’t help, they can help find someone who can. Don’t know where to start? The Women and Gender Resource Center, Center for Student Advocacy and Community, or the Dean of Students Office are great places to start.
- Schedule study and homework hours during daycare, your child’s school hours, or when your support system can care for your child.
- Go to your professor’s office hours. Most professors are parents, and you may find that they understand and want to support you.
- Make sure to complete your self-identification so you are eligible for priority registration.
- Take advantage of the incredible resources available to you at UH. Help and support are here for you. Whether it’s tutoring, the Writing Center, academic success workshops, or counseling, UH can offer may resources to help you meet your goals.
- Have fun! You belong at UH. Your journey may look different, but you can still have and completely deserve a fulfilling college experience.
- Be kind to yourself; you are doing something admirable and your success will benefit not only you, but also your family!
- Each year, we serve disadvantaged residential and nonresidential single moms and dads and their children with a comprehensive, holistic continuum of care that meets them where they are and empowers them toward their educational, career and family goals.
- Our family-centered model is built on this premise and allows us to work directly with families who have been historically excluded from educational opportunities while also driving systemic change.
If you know of any other great resource not included in this list, please reach out to dos@uh.edu .