For many young women in North Central Kansas, finding out you are pregnant while in college feels like a roadblock. You have worked hard to get into school, secure financial aid, and plan your career. Seeing a positive test result can make you feel like you have to choose: Do I keep my baby, or do I keep my future?
At Heart Choices, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose. You are capable of doing both.
While balancing exams and a pregnancy (or a new baby) is certainly a challenge, it is not impossible. Women do it every semester. Here is a guide to knowing your rights, finding your rhythm, and getting the support you need to walk across that graduation stage.
Know Your Rights on Campus
The biggest fear many pregnant students face is being kicked out of their program or losing their scholarships. You need to know that the law is on your side.
Under Title IX, pregnancy is considered a protected status. This federal law ensures that:
- You cannot be excluded from any educational program or activity because of pregnancy or childbirth.
- Absences must be excused if they are medically necessary (including doctor’s appointments and recovery from birth).
- You must be allowed to return to the same academic status you held before your medical leave.
If you are worried about talking to your administration, remember that they are legally required to support your continued education.
Communicate with Your Professors
It is tempting to hide your pregnancy for as long as possible, but open communication is your best strategy. You don’t have to tell them the moment you find out, but once you start showing or need to schedule appointments, let them know.
Most professors appreciate proactivity. If you tell them, “I am pregnant and due in November, but I am committed to finishing this course,” they can often work with you on advance assignments or flexible deadlines.
Re-Evaluate Your Schedule
You might need to adjust your timeline, and that is okay. Maybe you take one less class next semester, or maybe you switch a few courses to an online format to save on commute time.
Graduating a semester later than you planned is not a failure; it is an adjustment. Be realistic about what you can handle. Your goal is to finish the race, not necessarily to sprint the whole way.
Build Your Village in North Central Kansas
You are not meant to do this in isolation. Whether you are attending school near Beloit, Concordia, Osborne, or Smith Center, there is a community here ready to support you.
Look for other student parents on campus, rely on family, and lean on us. At Heart Choices, we offer more than just supplies; we offer a safe place to vent, cry, or celebrate your wins. Our team is here to remind you that you are strong, brave, and capable of being both a great student and a great mom.
Let Us Help With Material Needs
One of the biggest stressors for student parents is money. You are likely already on a tight budget for tuition and books, so the thought of buying diapers, clothes, and a car seat can be overwhelming.
This is where Heart Choices steps in. Through our “Earn While You Learn” program, we help bridge that financial gap. By taking simple, educational classes (which you can often fit around your school schedule), you earn credits to “purchase” the items you need from us—like diapers, wipes, and baby furniture—for free.
When you don’t have to stress about how to afford a crib, you can focus your mental energy on your studies.
You Can Do This
An unexpected pregnancy changes your college experience, but it doesn’t have to end it. With the right plan and the right support system, you can succeed.
If you are pregnant and worried about how to manage school, come talk to us. We can confirm your pregnancy with a free test and ultrasound, and then sit down to help you map out a plan for your future.
Contact us today at one of our four locations. We are cheering for you.