Top Schools for Pregnant & Parenting Students 2015

by Brenna Lewis | September 14, 2015
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As students all across the country head back to college and get ready for another year of being immersed in the university culture of studying, working, partying, and hopefully learning, many students will face unexpected events along the way that could catapult them into shock and have them running to the nearest Planned Parenthood to “fix” their problem. What “problem” would that be? An unplanned pregnancy.

“It’s no secret that college-age women report the highest number of abortions than any other age group,” said Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America. “It’s terrifying to face an unplanned pregnancy while trying to get a college degree, which is why it’s important to recognize the colleges and universities that put a premium on offering pregnant and parenting the students the resources they need so they don’t have to choose between their child and their education.”

Besides the list below, pregnant students on campus can find excellent resources at www.PregnantonCampus.org, a unique website that has compiled lists of housing options, material resources, financial aid, and support groups at hundreds of schools across the nation.

“Pregnant students on campus should be welcomed and supported at all schools,” said Beth Rahal, Pregnant on Campus Coordinator for Students for Life of America. “No mother should be forced to choose between her child and her education and finishing school is the best way for her to support her child.”

“We applaud all of these schools on the choice to make their campuses friendly to pregnant and parenting students and we hope all schools across the nation will follow their lead,” concluded Hawkins.

Students for Life of America used the following criteria to determine the list of the top schools that foster an environment of true choice, where students can choose their child and their education:

  • The school must have some of kind of program for pregnant and/or parenting students
  • The school has policies in place that specifically welcome and accept pregnant/parenting students
  • The school has scholarships for Pregnant/Parenting Students
  • The school offers housing for students with dependents
  • The school offers additional resources like lactation rooms, diaper decks, child care for students’ children, etc. (This list from 2011 provides excellent information on schools with child care and family housing)