Resources for Students that are Parents
Welcome!
Thank you for visiting the SDSU Student Parent Support website! As a parent and student, you have multiple responsibilities. We aim to provide access and resources for your academic and personal success at SDSU during COVID-19 and beyond. Browse through the different sections to become familiar with the services that are available to you as a student-parent.
If you have any questions, please email any of the following campus partners:
- Keiara Allen, Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT) Housing Stability Coordinator, [email protected]
- Henry Villegas, Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs (EOP) Associate Director, [email protected]
- Elzbeth Islas, Women’s Resource Center (WRC) Interim Assistant Director, [email protected]
Scholarship Opportunity from S.L. Scholarship Foundation!
A San Diego-based, non-profit foundation dedicated to creating better access to higher education for students with dependent children. DEADLINE: June 19, 2021.
Our Mission:
S.L. Scholarship Foundation, founded in 1999, seeks to assist low-income students with dependent children in need of financial aid while they attend a San Diego-based community or four-year college or university.
How does it work?
Scholarships beginning at $2000 per year are awarded to either students already attending college or high school seniors entering college in the current year. Particular attention is given to single parents. Interested students must fill out an application, which is due June 19, 2021.
Who is eligible?
To be considered for a scholarship, you must:
- Be nearing high school graduation or have graduated from high school or attend college.
- Have at least one dependent child
- Have a demonstrated financial need
- Have a minimum 2.0 grade point average
- Have applied for admission to or already attend an accredited community or four-year college
- Have applied for state and federal aid through FAFSA
What kind of expenses are covered?
S.L. Scholarships may be used to pay for a variety of living expenses that occur when a parenting student attends college. Expenses that are covered may include rent, housing, childcare, food, clothing, baby needs, transportation, computers and tutoring. Note that this scholarship does not pay for tuition or books. These expenses are typically funded through state and federal sources, such as Cal, Pell or Promise Grants.
Applying and Required Documentation:
The application is available at www.slscholarship.org and complete instructions are included there. One letter of recommendation and a transcript including Spring 2021 grades are required. The most highly qualified applicants will be invited for an interview before a decision is made.
Annual Continuation
If the student maintains a grade point average above 2.0 and pursues a full load of classes each semester, the scholarship will continue to be offered to the student each year until graduation from their undergraduate, graduate or professional program.
Information on Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in all educational programs or activities. This includes prohibiting discrimination against pregnant and parenting students. For more information please visit the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, and/or Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students
- Coronavirus Updates
SDSU’s main public-facing page documenting the latest COVID-19 updates - Counseling & Psychological Services
Helps students obtain support for a variety of presenting concerns including couples counseling for students, staff, faculty and parents - COVID-19 Self Help
Provides tips and coping skills as a student during this pandemic - Division of Diversity and Innovation (DDI)
DDI houses multiple offices and initiatives like the Center for Inclusive Excellence, the Cultural Centers, and the Employee Resource Groups - Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT)
Resources for students including food, housing, technology, and financial support - ECRT Food Resources
Provides information on food distribution, Imperial Valley food resources, app-based delivery services, food for school-aged children, senior resources, food for pets, and grocery stores - ECRT General Resources for COVID-19
Provides information on food, financial assistance, employment assistance, public utilities, cable and internet, transportation, housing, healthcare, mental health, legal assistance, and more - Scheduling an Appointment with your EOP Counselor
Provides step by step directions on how to schedule an appointment with your EOP Counselor - Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
Confidential resource for students reporting sexual violence. Please contact Lauren Rosato, the Campus Advocacy Coordinator, [email protected] or 858-693-2355 - Student Parents and Allies (SPAA)
To care, support and empower student parents by serving as a first stop, so they can become their best in school and at home. - Student Parent Association and Allies
For more information, contact Cara Yoo at [email protected] and/ or Michael B. Martinez at [email protected] - Virtual Support and Resources for SDSU Students
Important SDSU resources including academic advisement, SDSU accessible learning tools and general advice for making the transition to virtual learning - Working from Home and Homeschooling
The Center for Inclusive Excellence offers a video outlining practical tips on developing a daily lesson plan and identifying effective online learning options
- Breastfeeding Initiative
California Department of Public Health laws enacted to support a parent’s right to breastfeed their child - La Leche League of San Diego and Imperial Counties
La Leche League International is dedicated to encouraging, supporting, and promoting feeding babies human milk. La Leche League provides personal support, education and encouragement to help families be successful in reaching their goals - Milk Junkies
Breastfeeding and parenting from a transgender perspective - San Diego Breastfeeding Center, LLC
San Diego Breastfeeding Center was created to offer families in San Diego, and throughout the world, a judgment-free resource for qualified information and personalized assistance as they face the challenges of breastfeeding and parenting - San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition
The Coalition presents an annual award to honor San Diego County businesses with breastfeeding-friendly policies and programs for their employees, and established a window-sticker program (“Breastfeeding Welcome Here”) to encourage patronage of breastfeeding-friendly establishments - Breastfeeding Outside the Box
Podcast with the aim to support the nourishing and nurturing of babies in exceptional families - families who historically have not received the help and support they need and deserve
- California Child Care Resource & Referral Network
Working to inspire, inform, and advocate for a quality child care system that supports all families in California - San Diego County Centralized Eligibility List
Our local San Diego County CEL is here to support families in need of help paying for child care. In San Diego County, the YMCA Child Care Resource Service administers the CEL - YMCA Child Care Resource Service
During the COVID-19 global pandemic, the YMCA is more determined than ever to lift up our communities by connecting families to supportive resources and services that ensure their well-being - YMCA Family Resources
Provide trusted child care resources offering full-day and partial-day child care for infants through preschoolers, care for children and teens with special needs, and respite care
- Adjusting your study habits during COVID[BROKEN LINK]
Resources that help students manage the changes associated with COVID-19 including staying organized, effective study strategies, staying connected and remaining positive - College Parents of America
Contains articles, information and resources for college parents - Helpful Tips for Success in Virtual Coursework[BROKEN LINK]
Tips and Tools for Students Participating in Virtual Coursework including information on how to manage the online technology, discussion boards and assignments
The State of California has implemented an eviction moratorium which prevents landlords from evicting tenants who cannot pay their rent due to unforeseen financial hardships caused by COVID-19. Tenants will then have up to 90 days to make their rental accounts current, by paying all missed rental payments. For more information, reference the Governor's Eviction Moratorium[BROKEN LINK]
If you have been financially and economically impacted by COVID-19, you may need assistance in advocating to your rental company/person(s) for leniency during this time. The following is a general template for you to use when talking to your rental company about your need to halt, reduce, or postpone regular rental payments until further notice. Please be aware that once your financial situation is no longer impacted by COVID-19, that you will be responsible for paying any outstanding debt in full. Template: Advocacy Letter to Landlord
At this time there is no rent forgiveness in place in the State of California, meaning once the pandemic status has been lifted by the Governor you will have 90 days to pay any rental arrears.
Housing Tips:
- Talk to your landlord, do not “flee” the unit out of fear that you won’t be able to catch up on your rental arrears.
- Pay what you can towards your rent!
- If you have to choose rent/bills or food, please choose purchasing food for you and your family first.
- If you find yourself without stable housing during this time, reach out to the Economic Crisis Response Team for emergency housing resources.
- Alyssa Blask Campbell, M.Ed. (@seed.and.sew)
Shame free village raising emotionally intelligent humans and teaching the collaborative-emotion-processing method - Chicana M(other)work (@chicanamotherwork)
A Chicana mother-scholar collective amplifying mother of color voices within academia and beyond through podcasting, publications and presentations - Dr. Jazmine and Parenting (@themompsychologist)
Helping exhausted and overwhelmed mamas understand and connect with their little ones - Feeding Littles (@feedinglittles)
Megan (dietitian) and Judy (OT feeding therapist) offering online courses - Jenna Brown (@loveoverfearwellness)
Trans full-spectrum doula and radical educator offering virtual support options and reproductive justice for ALL - Juna (@juna.moms)
Helping guide you through pregnancy and motherhood - Lizzie Assa, MsED (@theworkspaceforchildren)
Parenting strategist, play advocate and blogger who helps moms bring playtime and avoid parenting burnout - Motherhood Understood (@motherhoodunderstood)
Pregnancy/ postpartum mental health support through education, resources, community, and stories - Parents (@parents)
Gone are the days of striving to be the perfect parent - Parenting for Liberation (@parentingforliberation)
A virtual community that connects, inspires, and uplifts Black folks as they navigate and negotiate raising Black children within the social and political context of the US
- Center for Community Solutions
Advocacy to end relationship and sexual violence by being a catalyst for caring communities and social justice - Hannah’s House
Hannah’s House protects children and heals families experiencing the trauma of family breakup, divorce and loss - Resources During COVID-19[BROKEN LINK]
List of agencies, provided by the San Diego Domestic Violence Council - Women’s Resource Center in Oceanside
Providing the highest quality supportive services, counseling, shelter and education to North San Diego County women, children and men involved in or threatened by domestic violence or sexual assault - YWCA of San Diego County (Becky’s House)
Dedicated to serving women, men, and children overcoming domestic violence and homelessness. Becky's House encompasses a 24-hour crisis and information hotline, an emergency shelter, and four transitional housing communities
- Crisis Text Line
Connect with a crisis counselor with free 24/7 support at your fingertips - Family Health Centers
Dedicated to providing caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons - First 5 San Diego Helpful Links
Family resources in San Diego for different needs - It’s Up to Us
Campaign designed to empower San Diegans to talk openly about mental illness, recognize symptoms, utilize local resources and seek help - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Providing 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals - Neighborhood House Association
Current NHA programs range from early childhood development in Head Start to an innovative nutrition program, to health programs like HIV/AIDS case management, mental health services, Adult Day Health Care services, youth services and Senior Services - San Diego Center for Children
Provides educational, foster care and transition age services to children and families struggling with mental, emotional and behavioral disorders - Supporting Families During COVID-19
Ways to support families to balance work, child care and self-care during these difficult times - WIC’s Response to COVID-19
San Diego WIC (registered dietitians, nutritionists, and trained professionals) responding to family during the COVID-19
- 2-1-1 San Diego
Source for access to community, health, social, and disaster services. By simply dialing 211 the call is free, confidential and available in more than 200 languages - Pandemic EBT[BROKEN LINK]
As part of COVID-19 response, children eligible for free or reduced school meals will be issued Pandemic EBT benefits. San Diego County is not involved in the issuance of these benefits - this is being handled by the State - San Diego Parent Connection
With more than 3,000 members, the Parent Connection is San Diego’s largest parenting support group - The San Diego LGBT Center: Families at the Center
Program designed to provide resources, education, support and opportunities for community building for LGBTQIA+ families and those considering parenthood
- Busy Toddler
Activities for toddlers - Family Fun Twin Cities
75 Games for kids of all ages - Khan Academy Kids
Educational activities for kids
In the interest of individual well-being and community health, all SDSU lactation spaces are currently closed. We still do not have the strongest projections of how COVID-19 may spread in the months ahead, but will share updates as soon as possible.
To gain access to SDSU’s lactation spaces[BROKEN LINK], please complete this online registration form. Your Red ID will be activated within 3-5 business days, granting you access to all lactations rooms on campus.
SDSU and Associated Students are pleased to offer lactation facilities in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, the Love Library, and the Women’s Resource Center. For breastfeeding students and employees who wish to pump breast milk while at work or school, SDSU will provide a location and a reasonable amount of time pursuant to state laws and Title IX. Faculty and staff members should contact their department chair, the Office of Faculty Advancement, or the Office of Employee Relations for more information.
There are currently three lactation spaces available on campus:
- Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union
Location: Room 370A inside of the Harvey Goodfriend Lounge
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 8:00 pm and Saturday-Sunday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Phone: 619-594-5278 - Love Library
Location: Room 443
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
Phone: 619-594-3446 - Women’s Resource Center
Location: 5121 Campanile Drive (on the corner of Lindo Paseo and Campanile, next to the Pride Center!)
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Friday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Phone: 619-594-2304
If you have any questions, please email Elzbeth Islas, Women’s Resource Center (WRC) Interim Assistant Director, at [email protected].
- Aztec Recreation for Kids and Family
Aztec Recreation provides high quality programs, services and facilities that inspire active, healthy living and enhance the SDSU experience - Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
Provides information and counseling so that you can make informed choices as you and your family plan for meeting the costs associated with attending SDSU - SDSU Children's Center
Providing quality care and education to children, families, students and staff of the SDSU Community
While there are no specific housing units set aside for student-parents on the SDSU campus, there are a multitude of community housing options for student-parents that are available, as well as, affordable housing units within San Diego.
- City of San Diego Housing Directory[BROKEN LINK]
- County of San Diego Housing Directory[BROKEN LINK]
- Most affordable housing in San Diego has a waitlist, ranging from a few months to years. Be mindful that these aren't immediate solutions for housing, they are long term options.
- For off-campus units close to SDSU, check out:
- BLVD63
- Suites on Paseo
- Paseo Place
- M @ College
Housing Tips:
- Be prepared to pay an “application fee”, to run your credit and background (max a landlord can request is $52.46 in California)
- Have 2-3 months of rent prepared for your move in (depends on your credit)
- San Diego Housing Market is Impacted! Be prepared to have 5+ people applying for the same unit as you are.
- Do a viewing! Walk around the neighborhood, research schools around the area, take pictures of the unit, talk to the landlord etc.
- Keep in mind that it’s 2 “heartbeats” per room, plus 1 “heartbeat” in the living room max. (Ex. 3 person family would need a One Bedroom Unit, 5 person family would need a Two Bedroom unit, 6 person family would need a Three Bedroom unit and so on and so forth)
- Make sure to have at least 3 months of stable income and proof (some landlords will ask that you make 2 times the rent, but don't be discouraged, still apply!)
- Try to budget for your rent and household bills to be no more than 30%-50% of your monthly income. It's hard in San Diego, but keep looking until you find something affordable for you.
- Summer Camp Programs at UC San Diego
Programs on the UCSD campus but open to all - UC San Diego Youth Camps and Enrichment Programs
Summer and year-round UC San Diego camps and enrichment programs for children and teens in the San Diego community.
