Maternity Leave for Pregnant College Students: Your Rights

What does maternity leave actually look like for college students? 
This post will walk through your protections as a pregnant student and the practical steps to take if you’re planning to temporarily step away from classes. You have real rights and concrete steps you can take to prioritize your health and safeguard your progress toward your degree. If you’re nervous about taking a maternity leave, you should know that with a rising number of student parents, you’re in good company!

Maternity leave looks different for students than employees. 
Instead of standardized paid leave, academic leave is often individualized. Let’s review student maternity leave policies from real colleges in the US:

• Texas A&M University allows pregnant or parenting students to take a leave of absence, and if in good academic standing at the time of the leave of absence, they will be allowed to return to their degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being required to reapply for admission. 
• University of Washington Seattle acknowledges that some students may want to take a break from classes after giving birth, and that the process for requesting and accessing leave may vary depending on student status. Although undergraduates, graduates, and professional students may be subject to different policies, all students are directed to contact their department to discuss options. 
• The University of Minnesota determines reasonable accommodations based on the needs of the individual seeking accommodation, and lists temporary leaves of absence as an accommodation that may be reasonable for pregnant students. 

While each school’s policies are a little different, students across the US are protected by Title IX, a federal law that protects against discrimination based on pregnancy or parental status. Schools subject to Title IX are legally required to offer students reasonable accommodations, which may include excused absences and deadline extensions.

What does this mean for you, day to day? Title IX gives you the legal footing to ask for accommodations, but you still have to know what to ask for and who to ask. Below are answers to the questions students in this situation ask most often, from whether "maternity leave" even exists for students to what to do if you're staring down a due date in the middle of a semester.

Student Maternity Leave FAQs
Do students get maternity leave?
The US Department of Education states that schools under Title IX must excuse absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as your doctor says it is necessary.

What if I can’t make it onto campus?
The US Department of Education states that schools under Title IX must provide pregnant students with the same special services it provides to students with temporary medical conditions, including homebound instruction, at-home tutoring, or independent study.

Should I take maternity leave as a student?
That depends on your health, your support system, and your program's flexibility. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but if you’re weighing whether leave is the right call for you, we break it down in another blog post about whether you should take a semester off.

What do I do if I need to take maternity leave as a college student?
The US Department of Education directs students to ask your school for help by meeting with your Title IX Coordinator regarding what your school can do to support you in continuing your education.

What do I do next?
Navigating pregnancy or early parenthood as a student isn't easy, and the lack of a clear, universal policy can make it feel like you're figuring it out alone. But you have options! Between Title IX protections, academic accommodations, and the willingness of most schools to work with students who ask early and ask clearly, there's flexibility available. 

If you’re still feeling lost when it comes to student maternity leave, or overwhelmed by an unexpected pregnancy in college, reach out to our team at The Avi Project for free, confidential support (call or text 720-386-6009). We specialize in helping students like you get the tools, resources, and encouragement you need to succeed.