Resources for Caregivers
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Graduate Assistants/Associates may be eligible. FMLA offers unpaid, job-protected leave to graduate students for one of the following reasons:
- for the birth and care of the newborn child of an employee;
- for placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care;
- to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
- to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition
For more information, see https://grad.arizona.edu/funding/ga/benefits-appointment#family-medical-leave and http://policy.arizona.edu/human-resources/federal-family-and-medical-leave.
Parental leave
Graduate Assistants/Associates (GAs) who meet certain criteria are eligible for parental leave for up to six weeks. Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
For more information, see https://grad.arizona.edu/funding/ga/benefits-appointment and https://grad.arizona.edu/forms/sites/default/files/uagc_page/graduateassistantparentalleaverequestform.pdf.
Day care
UA Childcare Choice is designed to help students pay for current, qualifying coursework-related childcare occurring in Arizona.
For more information, see https://lifework.arizona.edu/cc/childcare-choice-student, the GPSC website at https://gpsc.arizona.edu/resources-family, or https://grad.arizona.edu/funding/opportunities/graduate-college-financial-hardship-funds.
Sick child care
This service provides a caregiver at a subsidized rate to care for your child in your own home while you attend class.
- Registration in the program is required prior to contracting for services
- $5/hour; Incremental time is billed in five-minute increments; two-hour minimums
For more information see: https://lifework.arizona.edu/cc/sick_child_and_emergency_back_up_care_program/students.
Equal Opportunity Policies
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
The goal of the DRC is “to ensure that disabled students, employees and visitors, have a similar, if not identical, experience to that of their non-disabled counterparts”. Whether you are a student with a disability or encounter an individual in your classroom that requests accommodations or modifications, the DRC can support you.
For more information see https://drc.arizona.edu/about.
Harassment and discrimination
Among the values upheld by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are trustworthiness, responsiveness, compassion, and respect. To be an inclusive campus, we must feel comfortable to responsibly call out behaviors that don’t adhere to our values.
- Do you feel that you have been treated unfairly? The first step is to discuss the situation with the individual responsible for the unfair action and attempt to find a resolution. Graduate advisors, Directors of graduate studies or Unit Heads may be a useful resource in these situations. If this step is unsuccessful, then the next step is filing a formal grievance. For more information, see https://grad.arizona.edu/policies/academic-policies/grievance-policy.
- Connecting with student groups can be a valuable support network. These websites list communities on campus that graduate students participate in: https://gpsc.arizona.edu/resources-community and https://health.arizona.edu/node/48.
Financial Management and Funding
Financial management
- Financial literacy information: https://gradsense.org/gradsense
- Budget spreadsheets: https://gradcenter.arizona.edu/50-20-30-budget-page-tci-foundation
- Graduate College funding opportunities: https://grad.arizona.edu/funding
- Scholarships: https://financialaid.arizona.edu/scholarshipuniverse
- Graduate College funding newsletter: https://grad.arizona.edu/ofce/gradfunding-opportunities-newsletter
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): https://financialaid.arizona.edu/apply-for-aid/uaonline
- If financial need is related to family issues, please see the “Resources for Caregivers” section
Community Activities
Multi-cultural centers
These centers are centered around specific identity groups and shared life experiences.
- Student Centers (subset of the Student Resource Centers based on specific identity groups)
- Student Resource Centers
UA Clubs & Greek Life
Find your community among the Greek Fraternity and Sororities or in one of the 600+ clubs on campus.
For more information, see https://arizona.campuslabs.com/engage/Organizations.
Campus Recreation
Check out the rec center for working out, group classes, intramural sports, guided outdoor trips, and more.
For more information, see https://rec.arizona.edu.
Athletics
Check out high level collegiate sports and cheer on your Wildcats.
- ZonaZoo - Student section and student-ticketing program for University of Arizona athletics
For more information, see https://arizonawildcats.com.
CALS Student Clubs
Participate in clubs around your academic passion.
For more information, see https://cals.arizona.edu/students/campus-life.
Medical and Health Services
Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS)
- All enrolled students are eligible to use CAPS (under the umbrella of Campus Health).
- A variety of insurances are accepted at CAPS: Aetna Student, Aetna Commercial, BCBS, Campus Health Supplemental, Health Net, United Health Care
- Nominal fees are charged for most services; you can pay via cash, check, credit card, or post to your Bursar’s account
- Cost for being seen at CAPS: https://health.arizona.edu/caps-faqs
- Join applicable group therapy (e.g. Feeling Good in Grad School): Free; Think Tank’s Graduate Academic Workshops.
- Helping Distressed Students presentation from Mia Zamora (PDF)
- Are you concerned about a friend or co-worker? Call and consult CAPS at (520) 621-3334
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Graduate Assistants/Associates may be eligible. FMLA offers unpaid, job-protected leave to graduate students for one of the following reasons:
- for the birth and care of the newborn child of an employee;
- for placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care;
- to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
- to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition
For more information, see https://grad.arizona.edu/funding/ga/benefits-appointment#family-medical-leave and http://policy.arizona.edu/human-resources/federal-family-and-medical-leave.
Food insecurity
- UA Campus Pantry conducts distribution events where students can obtain food staples at no cost: https://campuspantry.arizona.edu
- The Community Food Bank assembles an emergency food "package" with food staples once/month at their main branch location (3003 S Country Club): https://www.communityfoodbank.org/Get-Help
- The GPSC website contains additional resources: https://gpsc.arizona.edu/resources-food
- Produce on Wheels Without Waste (POWWOW) host weekly neighborhood distribution markets where you can get 70 lbs of fresh produce for $12. Share with a friend or colleague if 70 lbs sounds like a lot! For more information, see: http://www.borderlandsproducerescue.org/produce-on-wheels.
Other Support Services
International students
The UA International Student Services connects students to a variety of resources to support your academic success.
For more information, see https://global.arizona.edu/international-students and https://grad.arizona.edu/international-students.
Compassionate Transfer of Leave (CTL)
See here for Eligibility Requirements for being able to apply for Compassionate Transfer of Leave.
- GAs do not accrue vacation, and therefore are not eligible to apply for CTL
- Some Fellowship Graduate Students may be employed as an Appointed Professional, and therefore may be eligible for this