Being a student is hard enough — add being a parent or caregiver on top of that, and managing the seemingly endless list of responsibilities can present a significant burden. That’s why Portland State University’s Services for Students With Children (SSWC) is here to help.
The SWCC provides a network of support for PSU students who identify as parents, caregivers or older siblings to young children. They offer three primary services — a childcare subsidy, a student resource center and on-campus childcare — to help students with caregiving responsibilities so they can make time for academics.
To learn more about SWCC’s services and discover how you can access them if you’re a student with kids, read on.
JIM SELLS CHILDCARE SUBSIDY
The Jim Sells Childcare Subsidy offsets the cost of childcare for qualifying students. As long as students demonstrate financial need, are enrolled at least half-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress, they can get a portion of their childcare costs covered by this subsidy. Students must pay the difference between the subsidy amount and the provider’s price, and the subsidy can be applied to any childcare provider, including babysitters or nannies.
The subsidy is first-come first-served, and the fund does run out, so students are encouraged to apply early. Priority is given to those pursuing their first bachelor’s degree with the greatest unmet need. Students can apply for the Jim Sells Childcare Subsidy through Scholarship Universe.
RESOURCE CENTER FOR STUDENTS WITH CHILDREN
The Resource Center for Students With Children provides a wealth of support for student parents and caregivers. They offer both in-person and remote services, from pregnancy support to assistance caring for newborns, toddlers and elementary school-aged children. Students can pick up free kits for new babies (which include items like diapers, binkies, baby nail clippers, teethers, blankets and more), lactation kits and activity kits for older kids. The center can connect students with the more than 15 lactation spaces around campus, as well as the Family Resource Room. They also host family-friendly events throughout the school year, like Bring Your Kids to Campus Day.
Lesser-known services include confidential advocacy consultation and helping students navigate Title IV during pregnancy and postpartum — for example, helping a student secure accommodations with a professor.
For those wanting to get involved with SSWC, consider donating gently used clothing — the center offers clothes for children aged 0-12, but typically runs short on clothes for older kids. The center also has a student worker position available this upcoming school year for any student with federal work study who’s interested in working in a family- and child-friendly space.
CHILDCARE SUPPORT
Though the childcare centers Little Vikings and Baby Vikings are currently on hiatus due to budgeting and staffing challenges, the SSWC can partner with students and help them access other childcare options, from the on-campus Helen Gordon Childhood Development Center to appropriate off-campus providers.
Above all, the SSWC wants students with children to use the many resources and support services they offer. They understand that student parents and caregivers can’t always spend much time on campus — many come to campus only for class and then leave immediately to attend to work or family obligations. This can make outreach and access challenging, but they urge students to take advantage of these readily available resources to whatever extent they can.
SSWC relies on data from questionnaires students receive via myPSU on parent and caregiver status to secure funding and provide their vital services. However, these questions are not mandatory, and so the available data is not representative of Portland State’s actual student body. SSWC encourages all students to fill out this questionnaire. More accurate data will allow them to advocate for sufficient funding and tailor their services to meet the needs of students with children.
For more information on SSWC, go to their website, or follow along on their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Discord.