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Expecting a baby while in college? Filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can be stressful for anyone, but it can feel especially overwhelming when you’re pregnant. Balancing financial stress, unexpected pregnancy, and the demands of college is a lot to handle. If you’re wondering how big life changes like these impact your eligibility for federal financial aid, keep reading. In this guide, we’ll walk through common questions about the FAFSA, ensuring you get the support you need to succeed in school with a growing family.
Is my unborn baby included in my household size on my FAFSA? The FAFSA was overhauled for the 2024-2025 school year. In the past, students were able to claim unborn children on their FAFSA under certain conditions. However, this has changed. If you’re pregnant, your baby should not be included in your household size. Unborn children cannot be claimed as dependents. Do people with larger families get more financial aid? In the past, larger families were likely to receive more college financial aid, but with the new changes, family size has less of an impact. However, once you have a child, you are classified as an independent student which can make you eligible for more financial aid. What is an independent student vs a dependent student? According to studentaid.gov, an independent student is at least one of these:
Can I change my family size once my baby is born? You can change your family size when you fill out the FAFSA for the next school year, after the baby is born. If you would like to update your FAFSA sooner, contact your financial aid office and ask them if they will help you update your information. Once your baby arrives, you may be able to update your household size before the next school year by making an appointment with a financial aid counselor. Be prepared to share documentation of your child’s birth, such as a birth certificate or social security card, and to fill out paperwork. Some students find it more effective to make an appointment with the head of the financial aid office. Should I wait to fill out the FAFSA until my baby is born? If your baby is due after the classes begin, but before the FAFSA is due, you might wonder if you should wait to submit your FAFSA so you can claim your child as a dependent. Generally, students who submit the FAFSA earlier receive more financial aid because some aid is given on a first-come first-served basis. However, if claiming your child as a dependent would significantly change your eligibility for financial aid based on your personal situation, it may be worth it to wait. Make sure you speak with a financial aid advisor to determine the best course of action for your unique situation. Do medical expenses impact my FAFSA? Medical expenses can increase the amount of federal financial aid you receive, especially if the medical expenses are very high or not covered by insurance. These are considered “special circumstances,” and may qualify you for an adjustment to your federal aid. Reach out to your financial aid office for more information about what documents are required to file a special circumstance. Should I update my FAFSA if I get married? Married students are classified as independent, and may be eligible for more financial aid. However, if your spouse has a high income, that may reduce the amount of financial aid you receive. Generally, the FAFSA is meant to reflect your life situation at the time it’s initially submitted. However, if you think updating your marriage status on your FAFSA before the next school year would help you financially, reach out to your financial aid office to find out if you can update it before then. What if I need to make other changes to my FAFSA application? Some information can be updated online by logging into your account at studentaid.gov. If you have any difficulties, reach out to your financial aid office. Where do I fill out the FAFSA? Visit studentaid.gov to create an account and fill out the form online. If you have any other questions about filling out the FAFSA, it’s best to speak with an advisor at your school's office. Your financial aid office will be able to provide the most updated information about properly filling out the FAFSA, as well as answer questions about your unique financial situation. If your federal financial aid is not enough to get you through the school year with a new baby on the way, please call or text our team at 720-386-6009 to learn more about the financial support we provide to pregnant students, which include medical care, tuition assistance, financial assistance, housing, and more. We’re excited to help you chase your educational goals while raising your family.
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There are many financial aid options available to pregnant students and single moms who are excited to continue their college education. If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy while in college, you might be wondering if you can afford to continue higher education. The good news is that with tuition assistance and other financial aid programs, if you want to finish your degree - you can! Learn more about scholarships, tuition assistance, FAFSA, charitable organizations, government programs, and other ways to reduce both cost of tuition and cost of living.
Financial Aid for Pregnant Students & Single Moms There are organizations and financial aid programs exclusively dedicated to helping pregnant students and single mothers graduate from college. This means that if you’re a mom in school, you have access to scholarships just for mothers and financial assistance opportunities that go way beyond tuition. A mother’s education level can have a significant impact on her and her family’s happiness and safety. College degrees can positively affect level of income, job security, emotional and mental wellbeing, the lifelong health of a mother and her children, and more. Many people recognize the positive influence of higher education on women, and they want to help moms chase their educational dreams. Our team at The Avi Project provides students with tuition assistance and financial stability, but there are many complementary programs worth exploring as well. Scholarships for Pregnant Students One type of financial aid available for pregnant students and moms in school is the scholarship. These scholarships are specifically for mothers, single parents, and women who are financially supporting their families. There are dozens more scholarships out there - and new ones all the time - so please reach out to our team (720-386-6009) if you’d like help finding more opportunities. Scholarships 4 Moms This program was created by moms, for moms. They understand the importance of financial security for pregnant students in college. Scholarships 4 Moms gives away scholarships of up to $10,000 several times a year. Winners may use the scholarship at any school of their choice, and may choose to view additional offers from schools if interested. Live Your Dream Live Your Dream Awards, which are funded through Soroptomist, are gifted to women who are the primary financial support for their families. Recipients are frequently women who have faced unexpected teen pregnancy, poverty, addiction, assault, violence, or trafficking. Awards may amount up to $16,000, and may be applied to a variety of costs - not just tuition. Patsy Mink Scholarship for Low-Income Women Moms pursuing their first degree may apply to the Patsy Mink Scholarship. Awards are up to $5000 each, and awardees are selected based on several factors, including financial need and vocational goals. Single Parent Scholarship in Colorado Single parents studying at either Aims Community College or the University of Northern Colorado are welcome to apply for a scholarship. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. If you currently have scholarships, you might be wondering if you could lose them. It depends on the terms and conditions of your particular scholarship, but there are many protections for pregnant students under Title IX. Tuition Assistance for College Students Make sure you’ve explored the general financial aid options that are available to all eligible college students. These include federal student financial aid and Pell Grants, state student financial aid, tuition reimbursement and assistance programs from employers, and student work-study positions. To apply for federal student financial aid, Pell Grants, and state grants, you’ll need to fill out the FAFSA. Ask your student financial aid office or academic advisor about the FAFSA, and consider using an online resource that guides you through the process of filling out the forms. You may have one of these common questions about the FAFSA:
Food, Medical & Housing Financial Assistance Tuition might be the first cost that comes to mind when you think about college, but reducing your cost of living can also make it easier to fund a college education. Even students need to eat, see doctors, and have a safe place to live! Consider taking advantage of additional financial assistance from charitable organizations and government programs. The Avi Project The Avi Project helps pregnant students cover the costs of tuition, medical care, housing, counseling, food, and more. If you’re facing financial uncertainty, call or text us at 720-386-6009 to learn more about the resources available to you. It’s confidential and commitment-free. We believe that meeting your financial needs is important, and we want to help. Government Programs Government programs that you may qualify for as a pregnant college student include:
We work with pregnant college students every day, so we know how heavily financial worries can weigh on a woman in this situation. At The Avi Project, we believe that students facing unplanned pregnancy shouldn’t have to throw away their educational goals or their career plans. You deserve financial security and a bright future. Please call or text us at (720) 386-6009 if you have questions about scholarships, grants, housing assistance, or other financial aid opportunities. Can I lose my scholarship because I got pregnant?
Scholarship policies can vary widely depending on the organization offering them, so it’s important to consult the terms and conditions of your specific scholarship. Many scholarships are awarded based on academic performance or other criteria unrelated to personal life events, so becoming pregnant may not impact your scholarship. Becoming pregnant does not erase your excellent grades, compelling essays, athletic achievements, or any other qualifications that may have earned you a scholarship! Many institutions also have provisions for medical circumstances. Since Title IX protects students from discrimination based on sex, pregnancy-related medical conditions must be treated the same as any other illness, injury, or temporary disability. In regard to athletic scholarships, the NCAA states, “Once an athletics award has been made (typically for one-year) it cannot be withdrawn due to pregnancy, suspected pregnancy, parenthood or termination of pregnancy. As long as a student athlete remains in good standing academically and does not withdraw voluntarily, a pregnant student-athlete’s scholarship is protected from being reduced or withdrawn in a number of ways.” In addition, “Consistent with non-discrimination principles, a pregnant student-athlete is entitled to keep her scholarship under the same NCAA bylaws that allow an injured or ill student-athlete to keep receiving his or her award.”* Title IX and NCAA laws ensure that pregnant students have the same educational opportunities as any other student, including scholarship and financial aid opportunities. If a scholarship was revoked solely due to pregnancy, it would likely constitute unlawful discrimination. If you believe your scholarship is being unfairly impacted by your pregnancy, it’s important to speak with your college’s financial aid office or scholarship provider. As a pregnant student, you have many legal protections! If you’re a pregnant college student who’s worried about keeping your scholarship, staying in school, or navigating the uncharted journey ahead, we designed a program just for you. The Avi Project provides resources and support throughout this difficult time, and helps you create the bright future you deserve. Please call or text us at (720) 386-6009 to speak with one of our team members - we’re available 24/7. *From: A Review of Federal Law and NCAA Rules Impacting Treatment of Pregnant and Parenting Student-Athletes |
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