Western Michigan University

Pregnancy and parenting don't have to mean the end of your education, dreams, or goals.
We're here to connect you with the resources needed to support and empower you to succeed.

 

  • Protect Life at WMU
    : This group of students will provide friendship, support, and help as you walk through life as a pregnant and parenting student. They are eager to do things like drive you to appointments, throw you a baby shower, and connect you with helpful resources both on and off campus. You can also reach this group via email at
    protectlifewmu@gmail.com.

 

  • Alternatives: Alternatives provides free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, confidential counseling, abortion information, parenting classes and support, community resources, and more.
  • Option Line: Free confidential help via text, online chat, or phone.
  • Bethany Christian Services: Wondering what your options are? This organization will walk you through your pregnancy options, give you free counseling and offers many resources including financial assistance.
  • Abortion Pill Reversal: If you change your mind after a medical abortion, you can receive help.

 

  • WMU Stadium Drive Apartment Complex: This apartment complex is open to families and includes resources like on-site childcare.
  • Kalamazoo Gospel Mission: The Kalamazoo Gospel Mission provides shelter, meals, laundry service, and hygiene products to women and families.
  • U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development: Find rental assistance programs for low-income families.
  • Home Ownership Services: If you need help paying for energy and weatherization costs, you may be able to get help from state programs that uses federal money to assist low-income families with energy costs.
  • Co-Abode: Co-Abode connects single mothers with similar interests to share a home, allowing their families to live in safer areas and diminish the financial burden of rent.

 

  • Child Care Assistance: Resources to find quality child care and payment assistance if you cannot afford child care.
  • Head Start: Provides free learning and development services to children ages birth to 5 from low-income families. Some also provide prenatal services.

 

  • Alternatives: Do you need help after an abortion? Alternatives provides abortion recovery help and support at no cost to you.
  • Project Rachel: Find hope and healing through confidential phone lines, individual counseling, support groups, and retreats.

 

  • WMU Financial Aid: Contact the university to learn about the financial aid available to pregnant and parenting students.
  • Michigan Student Aid: Numerous programs that are available to provide financial assistance for postsecondary education depending on eligibility.
  • Michigan Tuition Grant: This program is available for undergraduate students in financial need for their postsecondary tuition.
  • Federal Student Aid: If you are a pregnant or parenting student, update your FAFSA information in order to receive more financial aid.
  • Federal Pell Grant: This is a federal grant available for students that demonstrate financial need. Your FAFSA application will be reviewed to see if you qualify.
  • The Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship: This scholarship was created to help single moms fund their education. Current high school seniors, undergrad, and graduate students are all eligible to apply. Awards are $2,000 each.
  • Bethel Foundation Grace Scholarship: This scholarship is available to women who identify as single and the head of household with at least one child under the age of 18. They must be pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and must be a recipient of the Pell Grant. Funding per student is up to $1,500 or $750 for the summer semester.
  • Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award: Applicants must be the primary financial support system for themselves and at least one other dependent. They must be enrolled in a vocational/skills training program or pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Funding runs from $1,000 at the club level to $10,000 at the international level.
  • Custody X Change Single Parent Scholarship: Applicants must have primary custody of at least one child under the age of 18. Awards are for $1,000 each.
  • Kopfler & Hermann Overcoming Adversity Scholarship: Though this scholarship is not directed at single parents, it asks all applicants to submit a 500-1,000 word essay describing a time that they overcame adversity. Applicants can be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate level degree. The award is $1,000.
  • Kickass Single Mom Stimulus Grant: This grant can be used for anything, and the application process only takes a few minutes! The only qualification is that the applicant must be a single mother. Each award is $500.
  • Bernal-Mora & Nickolaou Annual Single Parent Scholarship: This scholarship is open to both single mothers and single fathers. The award is $1,000.
  • Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP): This scholarship is for women who are survivors of intimate partner violence. The average award is about $2,000 per semester.
  • Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation: This organization provides funding to low income mothers who are pursuing education beyond high school. The foundation will provide grants of up to $5,000 each.
  • Scholarships4Moms: This organization has awarded over one million dollars in scholarships to mothers seeking higher education.
  • P.E.O. Sisterhood: Looking for grants, scholarships, or loans? P.E.O. Sisterhood has the resources you are looking for and has helped countless women achieve their educational goals.

 

 

  • Alliance Defending Freedom: ADF provides free legal support to help you understand your rights as a student.
  • Title IX Benefits: Learn about your rights as a pregnant or parenting student in regards to class attendance, homework, activities, and more.
  • Pregnant Scholar: Learn about your rights as a pregnant or parenting student. This resource covers accommodations, leaves & absences, breastfeeding, and working on campus.

 

  • Alternatives: This local organization allows you to take parenting classes and earn credits to purchase diapers, clothing, formula, and baby equipment.
  • WMU Food Pantry: From 9am to 3pm, students can access WMU Food Pantries, located throughout campus.
  • Food Assistance Program: Temporary food assistance for eligible low-income families and individuals
  • WIC: This program provides food assistance, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals for pregnant and parenting women & their children
  • Cash Assistance: Temporary cash assistance is available for pregnant women and low-income families with children
  • MIBridges: Create an account here to see what other assistance you are eligible for in Michigan. There are multiple assistance programs available for pregnant and parenting women.
  • Child Support: Set up a child support case so that you can receive assistance from the father of your child.

 

  • Women Deserve Better: This website is a compilation of practical resources and inspirational stories. They focus on issues pertaining to work, home life, education, and relationships.
  • Single Moms: This website is full of resources for single mothers on housing, parenting, education, relationships and more.
  • Abortion Pill Reversal: If you change your mind after a medical abortion, you can receive help.
  • Adoption Associates: This organization will help you learn more about adoption as you consider your choices. Should you choose to make an adoption plan, they will stand by your side with support and counseling services. Adoption Associates wants you to feel empowered throughout the adoption process. Financial assistance may be available.

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