Application

• Petition for Childbirth Accommodation Funding (iPDF-131KB)

About

The UCLA Childbirth Accommodation Fund was established to provide expectant mothers who work as TAs or GSRs, or hold extramural fellowships that do not fund maternity leave, with paid leave for up to six weeks. A student may choose to continue to work in some modified capacity during these six weeks, but is not required to do so. A longer period of leave may be granted, without pay, in the case of exceptional medical circumstances experienced by the mother or child before or after birth.

Six weeks of maternity leave funding is automatically granted for expectant mothers holding UCLA Fellowships, Graduate Division Endowed Fellowships, or fellowships offered by academic departments and centers at UCLA. (Refer to the Graduate Student Financial Support booklet (PDF-759KB) for lists of these fellowships.) You do not need to apply for Childbirth Accommodation Funding for these types of fellowships.

Most extramural fellowships will defer to University policy and fund up to six weeks of maternity leave. If this is the case, you do not need to apply for Childbirth Accommodation Funding.

You may apply for Childbirth Accommodation Funding for multiple fellowships concurrently. If you have a TA or GSR appointment AND extramural fellowships, you may apply for funding for all of them.

Eligibility

• You must be currently enrolled in an academic masters or doctoral degree program. Students in professional programs are not eligible.
   
• During the time of requested leave, you must be employed as a TA or GSR for at least ten hours per week, OR be an extramural fellowship recipient. Students appointed as Readers or Tutors, which are hourly positions, are not eligible.
   
• Spouses, partners and adoptive parents are not eligible.
   
• GSRs and TAs are eligible to be paid for up to 50% time (20 hours per week).

How to Apply

1. If you are a TA or GSR, notify your department about your anticipated leave as soon as possible. The Petition for Childbirth Accommodation Funding is due at least 30 days in advance of the leave, except in circumstances where the leave is unanticipated.
    
2. Fill out the student section of the Petition for Childbirth Accommodation Funding and give it to your academic department. You will need the endorsement of your Graduate Advisor and Chair/Vice Chair. Your department should submit the completed Petition to the Graduate Division Financial Services office at 1228 Murphy Hall, Mail Code 144401.
    
3. You and your department will receive an email when your petition has been reviewed.

Other Maternity Benefits at UCLA

Research doctoral students who are undergoing childbirth or coping with other serious parenting demands are allowed additional time to meet established deadlines for passing preliminary and/or qualifying examinations and completing their dissertations. See page 23 of Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA for more details.

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