Whether you’re starting to think about family planning or a little one is on the way, here are resources to help you navigate being a student parent at UW-Madison.
Step 1. Plan for a Leave of Absence

Student parents who wish to take time off for parental leave will need to request a leave of absence from their school, college, or program. All academic programs are required to accommodate students after they give birth, per Title IX.
We strongly recommend that students check in with their school or college HR staff and academic advisor once they know they will be requesting a leave of absence. Some questions to consider:
- How long can I take a leave of absence?
- How will a leave of absence affect my insurance?
- How will a leave of absence affect my financial aid or scholarships?
- Does my major program have a leave of absence policy?
- What will happen to my TA position if I take a leave of absence?
- What do I need to know to plan for reentry after my leave of absence?
International students should also check in with International Student Services.
Step 2. Secure Family Housing

Next, students should make plans for their housing needs. Many UW families with children live in University Apartments housing. You can choose from apartments in either the Eagle Heights or University Houses neighborhoods. Both of these options are family-friendly neighborhoods located west of campus.
Requests for University Housing are not guaranteed, and there may be a waiting list. Please submit your request 4-6 months in advance. There is no deposit or fee to apply. Once a space becomes available, you can pay a deposit and sign a lease, or you can cancel your request if you have found other housing.
Transportation:
When you are making your housing decisions, it is a good idea to think about your transportation options (e.g., do you have a car or will you rely on public transportation?) and how you will plan out your commute to school and/or child care.
Parking Permits for Expecting/New Mothers:
UW faculty, staff, and students who are expecting or new mothers can purchase a temporary, 1-2 month accessible parking permit with a doctor’s note for $100/month, which allows for parking in most lots. Learn More.
Step 3. Budget for Child Care and Explore Financial Assistance Options

Child care costs in the U.S. can be a significant expense, especially for infant care.
Students in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional program may be eligible for the Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP) – UW-Madison’s main child care tuition award – which is designed to cover 30-40% of child care for children under 4-years-old.
Smaller awards are available for school-aged children or for families with one stay-at-home parent. CCTAP is open to U.S. citizens, international students, and permanent residents (green-card holders). Faculty, staff, and post-doctoral or research fellow students are not eligible.
Child care costs can be included in your Cost of Attendance (COA). The UW Office of Student Financial Aid can account for these costs when you submit a Budget Adjustment eForm through your Student Center.
Step 4. Find Child Care

Child care is in high demand in the U.S., especially for children between 0-2 years old. We recommend getting on multiple wait lists as early as possible as the average waitlist can be between 6-18 months long.
Below is a link to many search tools to find child care in Madison and Wisconsin. Please note, if you receive a Child Care Tuition Assistance Award (CCTAP) your child care provider must be licensed or accredited (nannies and babysitters or providers who are only certified do not qualify).
It is also a good idea to make sure you have the necessary information to complete paperwork for enrolling your child in care. These forms require things like vaccine records, and emergency contact information. Below are three forms all licensed Wisconsin providers will require soon after you start care:
Step 5. Connect to the UW Parenting Community

Before your little one arrives we encourage you to get connected to the UW parenting community!
Sign up for our Parent Support Listserv where you will receive our monthly Badger Buzz Parent Newsletter, resources, and important reminders. You can also join or follow the Wisconsin Student Parents Organization (WISPO) for resources and social events with fellow student parents.
Finally, you can check out our Family and Parent events page for seminars and programming like our Infant Development Play Group, 1:1 parent consultations, Respectful Parenting, and more (available during the fall/spring semesters).
Step 6. Explore More Resources

There is a lot of information here for you, and we are here to help!
An important step on your path to becoming a student parent is to learn how to build a community of parenting students, and to use campus resources to advocate for your needs to staff and faculty.
See our Family Resources page for resources for housing, transportation, food and basic needs, healthcare and mental health, reporting, and emergency assistance.