In January 2024, the U of T’s Innovation Hub released a report titled “Experiences of Students Who Are Also Parents.” The hub interviewed 31 student parents across the university, shedding light on their unique challenges and the resources needed to balance academics and family life. 

The students expressed a desire for a community where they could connect with others who share similar experiences, exchange advice, and offer emotional support. The students also valued opportunities to provide feedback to the university, allowing them to discuss their struggles and be heard by peers and the broader university community. 

A key concern was balancing parenting responsibilities with academic demands, with many voicing frustration over the university’s one-size-fits-all policies. The students advocated for more flexible and individualized resources to cater to diverse family structures. 

Another significant issue was the need for more flexibility in scheduling, particularly when unexpected situations like a child’s illness disrupts class attendance. Many student parents also highlighted the financial strain of juggling education, childcare, and basic living expenses, while feeling unclear about accessing financial support such as maternity leave and childcare subsidies.

The Varsity breaks down the various resources U of T offers to support student parents in addressing these concerns.

Resources for student parents

The Family Care Office, which operates from Monday through Friday on the St. George campus, provides support to students, faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and their families. The office helps students navigate campus by offering information on infant feeding spaces, changing tables, and family-friendly study areas. 

The office also provides guidance on planning family leave, including explaining Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, which ensures protected pregnancy and parental leave for employees. Additionally, the Family Care Office facilitates social connections between student parents through programs like the peer mentorship program, the in-development student-parent study hub, and the student advisory committee, which allows students to share their opinions regarding policies that affect them.

Additionally, the university offers limited family housing options for student parents. At the St. George campus, University Family Housing — two high-rise buildings on Charles Street West — accommodates full-time students with partners or children. Residents of these buildings also receive priority access to the U of T Childcare Centre. However, there are limited rooms at the residences, and the apartments are not ideal for families with more than two children due to their size. At UTM, three- and four-bedroom townhouses are available for students with families, providing more suitable accommodations for larger households. 

UTSC currently does not offer family housing options.

Academic leave policies for student parents

There is no standardized leave policy for undergraduate students needing time off for parental responsibilities. Instead, they must work with their registrar to arrange academic accommodations and individual leave plans. Graduate students, however, can apply for a parental leave of absence for up to three sessions per person, with a combined maximum of four sessions for both parents. This leave must be completed within the first year following the child’s birth. 

During leave, students are not academically registered and do not have to pay fees, unless they specifically choose to opt into certain services. Students on leave are also unable to connect with their supervisor regarding their research unless exceptions are made by talking to their individual departments. However, taking an academic leave can impact financial aid, including university financial assistance, government loans, and Ontario Student Assistance Program eligibility.

Financial assistance 

The School of Graduate Studies offers a parental grant for PhD students, covering up to 100 per cent of their monthly living stipend, with a maximum of $9,000 per academic session. In 2025, the school’s support was extended to postdoctoral trainees, with a maximum of $4,167 per month. Some individual colleges also provide additional aid, such as Woodsworth College’s June Straker Award, which supports single parents. Students from any college may apply, though Woodsworth students are given preference. 

The Family Care Office has a pool of funds available to help students cover childcare costs, enabling them to participate in extracurricular and academic activities. However, this funding is only available to undergraduate or graduate students at the St. George campus. At UTSC, the Scarborough Campus Student Union provides a daycare bursary of up to $500 for student parents in financial need. At UTM, a childcare grant is available for eligible undergraduate and graduate students. 

At St. George, the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) provides a Dollar for Child Care Grant for full-time and part-time undergraduate students. The UTSU also organizes an annual Family Fun Day to help student families build community.

Despite these available resources, student parents at U of T continue to face systemic challenges. Many are unaware of the support available to them, and institutional policies remain rigid, making it difficult for student parents to balance academic and family responsibilities. For those seeking support, the Family Care Office is one of the best places to start, helping students navigate the university while balancing their roles as both students and parents.