Parenting on Campus

On-Campus Resources While Parenting 

If you are parenting while attending Tufts University, you have the right to access accommodations and support to help you continue your education while also caring for yourself and your child. The following resources can help you balance your academic responsibilities with your parenting responsibilities and ensure you have access to the care and support you need. 

Health Services 

Tufts Health Services provides healthcare for parenting and non-parenting students. Health Services cannot provide care for your child. They can refer you to local providers, like a pediatrician for your child, and other specialists as needed. Health Services can also provide information about insurance and financial assistance options. To talk to someone at Health Services or to make an appointment, call 617-627-3350 or use the student portal. 

Health Insurance 

If you have Tufts student health insurance, you can add your child as a dependent. That means they will be covered by your health insurance policy. For instructions on how to enroll your child as a new dependent on your policy, go to https://tufts.app.box.com/v/hw-enroll-dependents-online.  

Lactation Rooms 

Any student who is nursing can use the Tufts University lactation rooms which are located around all Tufts campuses. To read the Tufts lactation policy, reserve a room, and/or request a lactation accommodation, go to https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/pregnancy-and-lactation-policies/lactation/. 

Financial Aid Office 

If you are experiencing financial hardship because of costs related to parenting, Tufts may be able to provide financial assistance through grants, scholarships, or emergency loans. While the office has no standard policy for addressing parenting, a Financial Aid Counselor can discuss your situation with you one-on-one. Counselors are assigned to students based on their degree program and last name. Find yours and make a virtual appointment with them at https://students.tufts.edu/financial-services/about/contacts or call the Financial Aid Office at 617-627-2000.

Office of Residential Life and Learning 

Tufts University does not currently have specific policies regarding student housing for parenting students and does not offer family housing. However, ORLL is committed to supporting students and providing appropriate housing accommodations whenever possible. For questions about housing changes related to parenting, you can reach the ORLL at 617-627-3248 or studentservices@tufts.edu. 

Counseling and Mental Health Services 

CMHS provides free, confidential counseling to Tufts students. They can provide support and resources for students who are dealing with the emotional challenges of parenting. To schedule an appointment, call 617-627-3360, use the student portal, or make an appointment at https://students.tufts.edu/health-wellness/mental-health/counseling-and-mental-health-service.  

The Eliot Pearson Children’s School 

The Eliot Pearson Children’s School is a “laboratory-demonstration program” of the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development at Tufts. Located on the Tufts Medford/Somerville campus, this school provides early education and care programs to children aged 2 years and 9 months to 7 years. For more information about this program and their admission process, visit https://sites.tufts.edu/eliotpearsonchildrensschool/.   

Other Things to Note

Students are not permitted to bring their child(ren) to class. 

There are a few changing tables in bathrooms around campus, but most on-campus restrooms do not have changing tables.

Off-Campus Resources for Child Care

Another factor to consider as you contemplate becoming a parent is child care. It is important to start your search for childcare as soon as you decide to continue the pregnancy.  

There are many different types of child care. You could choose in-home care with a nanny, babysitter, or relative; a family day care; or a center-based program. Some child care places will put you on a waitlist and contact you closer to the date you would actually be needing the child care; other places will put you on a waitlist and let you know as soon as they have an opening. 

To find a child care provider, you can search via the Massachusetts licensed child care search at https://childcare.mass.gov/findchildcare. 

A Closing Note

This is a lot of information! However you are feeling right now is okay.  

If you want to talk through your options and/or have someone walk through this information with you in person, you can make a confidential appointment with any CARE staff member.