Parenting or planning a family in graduate school

PhD graduate crossing the stage at convocation with child

Balancing graduate studies with parenthood can be challenging, but there are supports to help you every step of the way.

The University of Waterloo knows that many graduate students are also parents, facing the dual responsibilities of academic and family life. To help you balance your academic and familial responsibilities, the University offers unique funding opportunities and supports for graduate students with children.

Jump to: Graduate studies parental leave bursary | Tips from students | Parenting resources

Graduate studies parental leave bursary

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) has created a funding opportunity that aims to minimize the financial pressure of balancing graduate studies with family obligations.

The University of Waterloo's parental leave program has a long history of providing a supportive, accessible environment for graduate students. In 2017, this bursary received national recognition when the University of Waterloo won the 2017 Canadian Association of Graduate Studies (CAGS) Award of Excellence and Innovation for Enhancing the Graduate Student Experience.

The Graduate Studies Parental Leave Bursary provides funding to eligible students for up to two terms, to allow them to spend valuable time with their growing family. The value is determined based on the student’s previous income, to a maximum value of $8,000. For more information, visit the Graduate Studies Parental Leave Bursary web page and application form.

Eligibility and selection criteria

  • Open to candidates of all genders (not just birth mothers).
  • Must be a full or part-time graduate student and have been registered for at least one academic term prior to the leave.
  • Must have been receiving financial support.
  • Must be taking a parental leave.
  • Must not take up employment at the University of Waterloo during the term in which the bursary is being paid.
  • If both parents are graduate students, only one of them may apply for the bursary at a time.
  • Must return to graduate studies after their leave.

Outcomes

  • On average, we fund approximately 40 students per year.
  • Up to 2 terms of funding, however, students taking parental leave be inactive for up to 5 consecutive terms.
  • Students eligible for Tri-Agency Paid Parental Leaves will be topped up with a Graduate Studies Parental Leave Bursary, if applicable, to maximize their funding.
  • GSPA will assist eligible students with receiving Tri-Agency Parental Leave funding (either through their scholarship or a faculty member’s research grant).

Tips from students

Many University of Waterloo graduate students are also parents. Some of them have shared their experiences to offer general tips for others trying to balance the demands of parenthood and graduate work/studies.

Raising children as a grad student

  • Choose a family-friendly university. This is the first step, and the University of Waterloo is one of the best family-friendly institutions!
  • Build your support system. This includes ensuring your supervisors and peers understand your situation and not hesitating to ask for help or to opt out of meetings and/or activities to take care of personal matters.
  • Stay organized and manage your time well. This can be achieved by having your assignment due dates, parent-teacher meetings, doctor’s appointments, research meetings, etc., on your calendar and setting reminders so as not to miss important dates.
  • Intentionally bond with your kid(s)/family. This is achievable by spending quality time with them, e.g., discussing your day and asking about theirs, having game nights, movie nights, family cook time, etc.
  • Pay attention to yourself. Know when to stop and have a coping mechanism to relieve stress. When the going gets rough, always remember the reason why you started and do not lose focus.

Parenting resources

University of Waterloo supports

Primary health care

Graduate students, their dependents, and sponsored family members without a physician in Ontario can use primary care services from Campus Wellness. These services include caring for an illness or injury, ongoing condition management, prescriptions and renewals, testing and lab work, vaccinations and immunizations, referrals to specialists when needed, sexual and reproductive health services, and more.

Leaves of absence from study

The University of Waterloo offers several types of leaves of absences that may be applicable for graduate student parents including:

If you are considering going on a leave, you are encouraged to discuss the proposed leave with your supervisor and/or department graduate co-ordinator.

Feeding or storing milk on campus

If you are someone who is expressing milk, there can be added logistical challenges to your experience as a graduate student. For support with this, you can contact the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R) through their Intake Form. They can help you to:

  • Find a private, clean, and lockable space on campus to feed or express milk as needed.
    • The Office of EDI-R will connect with the Director of Space Planning, who will work with your department/school/faculty to locate a space that meets your needs in the building where you work and/or study.
  • Find safe, reliable means of storing milk while on campus.
    • If you don’t have access to a fridge near where you work and/or study, the Office of EDI-R has access to a limited supply of mini fridges that can be loaned out. They will contact Central Stores, who will arrange a delivery to your space on campus.

Local daycares and schools

If you have children or are expecting a child, it’s important to understand the childcare and schooling options available. In Canada, children under the age of 12 may not be left alone. Legally, an adult must be present at all times, or the child must be enrolled in school. In Ontario, children can begin attending kindergarten in the year they turn four and continue attending school until the year they turn 18 and graduate from grade 12. For children four years of age and under, there are several different daycare options available. 

Waterloo Region daycare centres (children four and under)

Waterloo Region has a range of childcare options for children four years of age and under. Facilities are in great demand, so be sure to apply for a spot for your child as early as possible. You can put your child on the Region's centralized waitlist, OneList, which is operated by Waterloo Region, and includes licensed child care centres and licensed home child care – many parents add their infants to the list as soon as they are aware they are expecting. University of Waterloo graduate students, along with other Waterloo staff, faculty and students, receive priority placement at Bright Starts Early Learning, a daycare located on campus, but keep in mind that the waitlist is still quite long. You are encouraged to contact local childcare centres to ask about their waitlist policies, and the current waitlist length.  

The Faculty Association also provides information on childcare resources, which graduate students may find useful.

Graduate student tip: Check the childcare provider’s track records where possible, using trusted reviews or word of mouth. Ontario’s Ministry of Education has a valuable child care search tool to find appropriately licensed providers, filtered by location, your child care needs, and other factors.

Waterloo Region’s school system (children four and over)

There are four public school boards in Waterloo Region that parents may be eligible to enrol their children in: 

In addition to the public school boards, the City of Kitchener provides a list of private schools in the region. As private schools do not receive provincial government funding, tuition fees are charged for enrolment at these schools.

In Canada, school hours are shorter than the typical workday. As such, many parents enrol their school-aged children in Before and After School Programs. To find Before and After School Programs associated with the public school boards, visit OneList.  

For more information on education in Ontario, visit the Ontario Ministry of Education website. 

Enrolment and fees for children of international students

To enrol your child in school, tuition fees for the Waterloo Region District School Board and Waterloo Catholic District School Board range from $14,000–$18,000 per student, per year. However, your child’s tuition fees might be waived if you're registered as a full-time student in a non-ESL program and can provide proof that you've paid your tuition fees to the University of Waterloo. Visit The Centre in-person, or online, to submit a proof of enrolment request to obtain a letter confirming your program of study and that you've registered and paid your fees. Along with this letter, you’ll need to provide the school board with a copy of:

  • your passport
  • your study permit
  • your children’s passports
  • proof of residence in Waterloo Region (e.g. rental agreement or utility bill)

Other parenting and caregiving resources