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.
Peer Support
Protect Life at Ferris State University: This group of students strives to provide loving support to all mothers in need. They throw baby showers, drive to appointments, raise money, and collect clothing, diapers, and formulas for mothers and babies.
Students with Children Network: This network exists to address needs by offering activities, resources, and services which include peer mentors, campus referrals, community referrals, parenting education seminars, child care, and family friendly activities.
Pregnancy Options
Life Resources of Northern MI Inc : Free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, confidential counseling, abortion information, parenting 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.
Housing
West Campus Apartments: Offers housing options on campus for students and student with families.
Helping Hand: View resources that will give you advice on renting or buying a home plus find organizations near you that will assist you in finding a place to live.
Housing near FSU: View a list of apartments on and off campus available to live plus other housing assistance resources.
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
Early Learning Center at Ferris: Provides quality child care for students at Ferris and the surrounding community to children ages 1 month to 12 years old.
Child Care Assistance: Resources to find quality child care and payment assistance if you cannot afford child care.
Head Start : Head Start is a preschool program for children ages 3 to 5. In addition, they provide social services, health/dental, and nutrition. These services are offered at no charge to families that are eligible.
Post-Abortive Care & Support
Life Resources of Northern MI Inc : Do you need help after an abortion? Pregnancy Services 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.
Financing Your Education
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.
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.
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.
Healthcare
Pregnancy & Parenting Classes : Spectrum Health offers different classes to prepare parents for childbirth, parenting, and more.
Federally Qualified Health Centers: These are health centers that provide comprehensive healthcare to clients- even those without health insurance. You simply pay what you can afford. They offer checkups, treatments, complete pregnancy care, and immunizations. Some offer even more services.
Maternal Infant Health Program: A home visiting program for Medicaid-eligible women and infants. It offers support and care coordination to pregnant women for regular prenatal and infant care.
State of Michigan Health Care Information: Receive more information about healthcare options for pregnant women. This includes: Medicaid, MIChild, and Maternity Outpatient Medical Services.
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.
Material Assistance
Food Assistance: Use this website to find more information about food assistance in Big Rapids.
Life Resources of Northern MI Inc : Receive love, encouragement, referrals for other services, as well as material assistance (formula, diapers, food, cribs, etc) at no cost.
The Salvation Army: They offer food assistance, energy assistance (for electric and natural gas), housing assistance as well as material assistance for children.
Project Starburst: This organization provides food and related items to those who are temporarily in need of assistance.
Thrift Stores: View a list of thrift stores in Big Rapids.
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.
Additional Resources
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.
Students with Children: Visit this website for resources in Big Rapids including housing, job information, child-care, family activities, churches, and more.
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.
