UC Davis provides an abundance of resources for graduate students with dependent families. These resources assist graduate students achieve their educational goals by acknowledging the time and resources that they devote to parenting and other family concerns.
Start with the Student Parent Resource Website
Explore a virtual hub for undergraduate, graduate, and professional student parents at UC Davis. This website serves as a central clearinghouse for resources and programs dedicated to supporting student parent success.
Childcare Options
Both on-campus and off-campus resources for children of any age can be found at the UC Davis WorkLife site. UC Davis has also recently joined UC Berkeley and UCSF's CareBubbles platform, which is a parent-to-parent resource to help the UC community members meet their child care needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Financial Assistance for Childcare
Students enrolled in a degree program who can claim dependent children 12 years old younger and who incur child care expenses are eligible for financial assistance to offset the cost of child care through the UC Davis Student Parent Child Care Funding Program.
UC Davis students can also receive assistance with child care costs at the on-campus Early Childhood Laboratory and individualized support and mentoring through the CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School) grant.
Postdoctoral Scholars are eligible for reimbursement of some childcare expenses and reimbursement of travel related childcare expenses. Details of the program including the Childcare Reimbursement Fact Sheet and UBEN-255 Reimbursement form and process can be found on the Postdoc benefits page. Specific details about the childcare benefit are outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
Lactation Support Program
The Lactation Support Program provides university affiliates and their partners with lactation consultations, support group meetings, and the use of hospital-grade breast pumps located in close to 40 lactation sites on the UC Davis campus as well as 10 sites at UC Davis Medical Center. UC Davis policy provides a site within a 5-minute walk of every building on campus. The program is available to employees and students and their partners who register.
Women's Resources and Research Center
The Women's Resources and Research Center (WRRC) is a safe place to ask questions and find resources. The WRRC offers information, guidance, and referrals on a wide range of topics, including women's health, parenting and childcare, pregnancy, and sexual and dating violence.
Student Health Insurance Program, Voluntary Coverage for Dependents
Undergraduate, graduate and professional students who are enrolled in Davis SHIP have the option to enroll eligible dependents in a voluntary plan. The plan provides medical insurance and the option to purchase dental/vision benefits. Enrollment in the dependent plan is managed by Wells Fargo (on behalf of Aetna Student Health) and the cost of insurance (premiums) for dependents is paid directly to Wells Fargo. Insurance Services does not manage the enrollment or collect payments for the dependent plan. GSRs and ASEs employed in a qualifying appointment(s) are eligible to receive 100% premium remission for child dependents enrolled in UCSHIP if the GSR/ASE’s income exceeds the designated Medi-Cal eligibility threshold as specified in the collective bargaining agreements. See the Child Dependent Health Premium Benefit Program & Form for details.
Planned Educational Leave Program (PELP)
Graduate students are eligible for a maximum 3 quarters leave of absence with department and Graduate Studies approval; an extension can be requested. The purpose of PELP is to enhance the prospect of a graduate student successfully completing their academic program by allowing time for the student to resolve personal, financial or medical problems, including care for a child or family member. The “clock” is stopped during the time a student is in PELP. To apply for PELP, read the informational materials and then contact your graduate program staff coordinator for the application form.
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Other Medical & Family Leave for Funded Graduate Students
If you are employed as an Academic Student Employee (TA, Reader, Tutor, AI), or as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR), or supported by an internal or external fellowship, you may be eligible for certain leaves. See our campus policy on graduate student leaves and speak with staff in your hiring department for more information.