Nonviolent Choice Directory

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HELP WITH CRISIS PREGNANCY & BEYOND: EDUCATION



Note: If you are looking for used textbooks, and/or for a relatively low-cost, quick, simple, online way to get your GED or earn some college credits, you might also wish to visit our Mall: Education section.


Services and Advocacy for Pregnant & Parenting Students
Bursaries, Scholarships, Financial Aid
Alternatives to the Military



Services and Advocacy for Pregnant & Parenting Students


  • Issues Related to Pregnancy and Athletic Participation. The Women's Sports Foundation takes a stand in support of pregnant student athletes.


  • College Mom Magazine. "Mission is to feature mothers on college campuses who are fighting for their equal rights to education and who are forging the way for mothers to come behind them...Offers a forum for college moms to offer advice to other moms, and offers information of interest to college moms. We believe that the denial of equal rights to education to mothers in high schools and on college campuses is a contributor to poverty in the United States. We hope that by fighting for our rights on college campuses we can lift these institutions, many who are now breaking laws, up to our level of responsibility and accountability."


  • College Outreach Program, Feminists for Life of America. Every year 10% of all female college students in the US become pregnant. But many college students have never seen a visibly pregnant classmate. That's because most pregnant college students fear they have no choice but abortion or dropping out. Find out more about the problem and how you can be part of the solution. For example, you can Evaluate Your Campus as a first step to making it the most hospitable place for parents and children (born and unborn) that it can be.


  • Colleges & Universities With Specialized Help Programs for Pregnant and Parenting Students. Please note: if your school is not listed here, it may still have such a program, or other resources that can help you and your baby through through the pregnancy and beyond. If it does not, see below about Crisis Pregnancy support, or above about the FFLA College Outreach Program.


    Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA.
    California State Fullerton.
    College of St. Mary, Omaha, Nebraska, USA: check out the Mothers Living and Learning program for single moms and the Sister Thea Bowman Foundation's scholarships for African American single moms.
    Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
    Dartmouth University, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.
    Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
    William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA.
    University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA.
    University of San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.


    Also of great interest & relevance: National Coalition for Campus Children's Centers (US). Represents the interests of the 2100+ campus child care centers in the US. Believes that high-quality, standard-setting "campus child care should be provided as an integral part of higher education systems." Publishes a free fact sheet on how to start a center.


    And kudos to Native America's Tribal Colleges! Although these 30+ institutions tend to be more financially stretched than their non-Native counterparts, it appears that a higher proportion of tribal colleges offer distance education options, child care centers, and other necessary services. Who says that these services are luxuries or niceties that the almighty bottom line cannot permit?


  • More Resources on Child Care (Day Care, Childminding, Child Creches)--organized by country.


  • Crisis Pregnancy Support. The Nurturing Network, and other organizations featured in this section of the Nonviolent Choice Directory, can help pregnant students to continue their educations even as they carry out their choices of parenting or adoption. These groups also enlist the help of schools in making the world a friendlier place for student moms--and dads.


  • Distance Education Training Council (DETC): FAQs. Because of its flexibility, distance education can be a very helpful option for pregnant and parenting students at the high school, college/university, or other post-high school level. DETC accredits programs in the US and abroad; in fact, the website has a directory of accredited programs, in addition to articles on pertinent subjects like transferring credits.


  • FAWE, Forum for African Women Educationalists. Educational discrimination against pregnant and parenting students is unfortunately a worldwide problem. Many nations do not even have the least bit of legislation on this set of human rights violations. FAWE, a nongovernmental organization, has chapters in 32 African countries to fight for the rights of all girls and women to have and complete their educations in an atmosphere of encouragement and safety.


  • Resource Guide of Best Practices for Pregnant and Parenting Teen Programs. Examples from Pennsylvania, but can spark creative, compassionate thinking and action anywhere.


  • State School Health Policy Database> To find state-by-state policies on pregnant or parenting students, go to "View by Topic," then "Accomodations," then "Pregnant and Prenting Students." From the National Association of State Boards of Education [US].


  • Using Title X to Protect the Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Teens.. Includes a handout from the National Women's Law Center on your educational rights as a pregnant or parenting teen under the US national law Title X. Also has a handout for school staff.


  • Title IX: I eXercise My Rights Campaign. (US.) Originally passed in 1972 under the leadership of the late Congresswoman Pasty Mink, Title IX forbids gender discrimination, including discrimination against pregnant and parenting students, in any educational programs that receive federal funds. Know Your Rights! And join in the still-unfinished fight for equity in education.


  • Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation. In the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica, the Foundation empowers pregnant young women under 18 to continue their schooling.


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    Bursaries, Scholarships, Financial Aid


    Along with websites such as those below, it is always good to ask the college, university, or other institution where you attend, or hope to attend, about any of its own financial aid programs that it administers for its own students. If your financial situation has changed due to pregnancy or parenting, you have every right to inquire about--and to receive--more aid so you can take proper care of yourself and your child(ren)!



    Africa:


  • AfricaEducation: Bursaries. For students in and from African countries.


    Asia, South East:


  • Higher Education Links. These links, especially the ones to national Ministries of Education and to universities, can help lead you to financial aid information. From SEAMEO RIHED, the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organistion Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development, which includes the countries of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.


    Australia:


  • Going to Uni: Higher Education for Students in Australia. National government website that covers government scholarships and loans.


    Bangladesh:


  • Grameen Bank. This world-famous provider of microcredit lending to poor people also offers some scholarships and student loans.


    Canada:


  • Aboriginal Bursary System. (English, French.)


  • Boursetudes (French) and StudentAwards.com. Free database of scholarships, grants, and cash awards--all for Canadians.


  • Canada Student Loans Program. (English, French.) Administered through Human Resources & Social Development Canada.


  • Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation. (English, French.)


  • Millennium Scholarships. (English, French.)


  • ScholarshipsCanada.com. Another free-signup portal site, although this one is English-only.


    Caribbean:


  • University of the West Indies. "Serving primarily the countries of the Commonwealth Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Monsterrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and the Turks and Caicos Islands." Financial aid opportunities are listed separately for the Cave Hill, Barbados; Mona, Jamaica; and St. Augustine, Trinidad campuses. You can also check on current fees for UWI's Distance Education Centre.


    India:


  • Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education. Government site, all India. Includes information on Scholarships and Student Loans. See also the Ministry's Education Support in India website (Hindi, English), which lists "government and non-government scholarships, fellowships, freeships, and other educational support for Indian students."


  • Education in India / Career Guidance / Scholarships. Listing posted on Education4India forum. Includes charitable educational trusts (most of which are headquartered in Mumbai) and financial aid for study abroad.


  • Educational Trust in India. List from educationmatch.com of charitable organizations headquartered in Mumbai, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Pune, Hyderabad, or Calcutta.


    Note: Many Indian charitable educational trusts can be researched on the Web, yet they may not be necessarily listed in the above guides. But please try a Google search with the terms "India education trusts" and see what comes up. You could also add in keywords regarding your place of residence, field of study, ethnic group, religion, or other characteristic relevant to scholarship search.


    South Africa:


  • National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Government loan program to assist historically disadvantaged students with tertiary education.


  • Umsobomvu Youth Portal. Maintains online bursary database.


    United States:


  • American Indian College Fund.


  • American Indian Graduate Center. Offers graduate scholarships.


  • The Asian Reporter: Scholarships and Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Foundation..


  • Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities.


  • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Scholarship Resources.


  • Hispanic Scholarship Directory.


  • National Council of La Raza: DREAM Act. (English, Spanish.) Bright, motivated, hard-working students in the US are routinely denied financial aid, even when there's enough to go around--simply because they are undocumented immigrants. Why and how to make a change.


    Note: If you are undocumented or having other problems with your immigration status in the US, try talking with your school (or prospective school's) financial aid office; looking into schools like The City Colleges of Chicago; or consulting a website like Financial Aid and Scholarships for Undocumented Students.


  • $cholarship $cams. There is legitimate money out there for school, but there are also scam artists who want to take advantage of your wish to better your life. Learn how to tell the difference. On the bilingual (English, Spanish) website of the Federal Trade Commission.


  • Single Parent Scholarships and Single Mother Scholarships.


  • Sister Thea Bowman Foundation. Offers scholarships to black students, including several at the College of St. Mary, Omaha, Nebraska, for single black mothers.


  • Student Aid on the Web. (English, Spanish.) US Department of Education official guide to making your education affordable. See also FinAid: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid. You don't have to pay to get the information you need to afford your education! This is one of the best, most comprehensive free websites on student aid.


  • United Negro College Fund. "Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste."


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    Alternatives to the Military


    Worldwide:


  • Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers.. (English, French, Spanish.) "Works to prevent the recruitment and use of children as soldiers, to secure their demobilisation and to ensure their rehabilitation and reintegration into society...More than 50 countries continue to legally permit the voluntary recruitment of 16 and 17 year-olds, putting them at risk of institutionalized bullying, sexual abuse and hazardous training activities."


  • Idealist.org: Action Without Borders. (English, Spanish, French; expanding into additional languages.) "An interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives." Here you can learn about life-affiming careers and find jobs in them.


  • Nonviolent Peaceforce. (English, French, Spanish.) "A nonpartisan unarmed peacekeeping force composed of trained civilians from around the world. In partnership with local groups, Nonviolent Peaceforce members apply proven nonviolent strategies to protect human rights, deter violence, and help create space for local peacemakers to carry out their work."


  • War Resisters League International. (English, French, German, Spanish.) Global defender of the right to refuse to kill. See especially Refusing to Bear Arms: A World Survey of Conscription and Conscientious Objection to Military Service.


    Austria:


  • Zivildienst in Oesterreich. (German.) Civilian service agency for conscientious objectors to compulsory military service.


    Finland:


  • A Guide for the Sivari. (English, Finnish.) For those interested in applying for siviilipalvelus, the national civilian service option.


    Germany:


  • Bundesamt fur den Zivildienst (BAZ). (German.) Civilian service agency for conscientious objectors to compulsory military service.


    Israel:


  • Refuser Solidarity Network.


    Switzerland:


  • Zivildienst. (German, French, Italian.) Civilian service agency for conscientious objectors to compulsory military service.


    Taiwan:


  • Overseas Medical Services as an Alternative for Military Duties. (English, Chinese.)


    United States:


  • The Objector: Central Committee for Conscientious Objection. (English; some Spanish.)


  • GI Rights Hotline. (English; some Spanish.) "We are a network of nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations who provide information to servicemembers about military discharges, grievance and complaint procedures, and other civil rights."


  • National Network Opposing Militarization of Youth. Includes resources by state on alternatives to the military.


  • Proyecto Caribeno de Justicia y Paz (Caribbean Project for Justice and Peace. (Spanish.) Puerto Rico is a prime recruiting ground for the US military, but it is also a place of nonviolent resistance.


  • PublicServiceCareers.org. Many young people consider the military because they want to serve their country. But love of country can be expressed through many other educational and career routes.


  • The Poverty Draft, Thinking of Enlisting?, and Alternatives to the Military. From the American Friends Service Committee's extensive resources on Youth & Militarism.


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    Copyright Nonviolent Choice Directory 2007-2008. All rights reserved. Last updated May 18, 2008.


     

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