Student Parent Resources: Home

All of the below services are available for free at our college to current students. 

On-Campus Parent Support

• Madison College's Early Learning Campus provides child care for students and staff at the Truax location. Check their page for information on enrollment, rates and more. 
• Student Parent Resources provides links and information for parents on campus, including information on lactation room availability. Be sure to check out Madison College Moms, a Facebook group designed to connect with other parents here. 

Academic Services

• Computer Help is provided to all of our students free of charge. We can help you with BlackBoard, student email, software, and much more. Come in to your campus library, or reach out via email or phone. 
• Book a Librarian allows you to make a one-on-one appointment with a librarian at your campus for help with research, citations, or technology. 
• Book a Study Room at the library to work with other students in your own collaborative study space. 
• Tutoring is available at our Student Achievement Centers. See peer or faculty tutors for help with math, science, languages, reading and more.
• Brainfuse is an online tutoring service which allows students to access tutoring help from any location. Help is available in a variety of subjects, and some tutors are available 24/7. 
• The Writing Center provides professional teachers and peer tutors who will review any written assignment for grammar, structure, citations and more to help you achieve a better grade. You can make an appointment online ahead of time when it's convenient for you, or send your paper in electronically. 
   

Other Services and Ways To Get Involved

• Counseling is available to all current students. You can see a counselor for career, academic or personal advice. 
• Advising Services can help you figure out which classes to take for your program, focus on an area of study, find out more information for transferring and much more. 
• Student Clubs and Organizations provide an important sense of connection for college students. There are a variety of opportunities for current students to join, including the academic honor society Phi Theta Kappa and many other clubs.
• Career and Employment Services provide job search advice, help with finding employment, information on careers and more. 
• Cupboard Student Food Pantries are available for students to use. We have food pantry availability at our metro and regional campuses. 
• The Legal Clinic at Madison College can provide help and advice on a variety of legal issues including bankruptcy, child support and family law, housing issues and more. 
• Explore the Current Students webpage for more information on services. 

Paying for Child Care

• The Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program assists families in paying for child care so parents can go to school or work. Visit their webpage for more information on applying for the program, which is available to low-income families with children under the age of 13.  
• The City of Madison Child Care Program provides assistance in paying for child care to families living in Madison who are working, going to school or job seeking. This program is available for families who are ineligible for the Wisconsin Shares Child Care program. 
• The Child Care Tuition Assistance Program is available for students of UW Madison, and is also accepted by our on-campus child care center. 

Finding Child Care

• Madison College's Early Learning Campus provides child care for students and staff at the Truax campus location. Check their page for information on enrollment, rates and more. Some scholarships for child care are available to our students. 
• UW Madison's Office of Child Care and Family Resources website provides information for UW Madison students related to child care options on campus and off. If you're planning on transferring to UW Madison, be aware that although they do provide child care, there is often a waiting list. 
• Youngstar, created by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, provides ratings for all licensed child care providers in the state. 
• The Wisconsin Head Start Association can help you locate a Head Start program in your area. Head Start is a program available for 3-5 year olds which focuses on school readiness, and is provided at no cost to eligible families.

• How to Study when You Have Children from WikiHow outlines a few good tips for efficiency, including creating a schedule and making the most of your time on campus.
• Studying in the Child Zone, written by two counselors from Athabasca University, outlines strategies from student parents for succeeding academically while raising a family. 
• 15 Time Management Tips, from Parents magazine, outlines general time management strategies useful for all parents.
• Sharing homework time with your kids can be an effective strategy. If your child sees mom or dad sitting down to read, it may help them focus on their school work. From PBS Parents, see these Tips for Helping Your Child Focus and Concentrate. 
• If child care isn't available, see if you can find another student with children. Try swapping babysitting in exchange for study time, studying together while your kids play, or splitting the cost of a babysitter. 
• Many public libraries offer free story times and other activities for children of a variety of ages. Check out the following links to see what's available in your area. 
  • Madison Public Library
  • Fort Atkinson Public Library
  • Portage Public Library
  • Reedsburg Public Library
  • Watertown Public Library
• Be sure to check out our Study Skills Libguide for more study tips and helpful content.

Saving Money While in College

• Emergency Funds are available at certain points in the academic year for students experiencing financial hardship. 
• Scholarships are available both through Madison College's Foundation, and external groups. See the scholarship webpage or ask an academic advisor for more information. 
• Financial Aid Support is available for many of our students. This can help cover the cost of classes, textbooks and other expenses. See an academic advisor or view the webpage to fill out your FAFSA, which must be completed each year. 
• Free software! Students of Madison College are eligible for free Office 365 pro plus, which includes Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and more. Need help installing? Stop in at the library and we can show you how.
• Financial Aid Book Charge is a service which allows our students to use financial aid funds to pay for textbooks at the bookstore. 
• Madison College Libraries offer many textbooks to use via our Course Reserves. Use our reserves search tool to see if any of your books are available. Some books may only be used in the library, while others may be taken home for a short loan period. Ask in the library for more details. 

Parenting Resources