Pregnant and Still in School?
Your first thoughts may go straight to your course load: Can I finish the semester? What if I miss a lab or clinical? Do I have to tell my instructors? Before you withdraw from a class or change your schedule, learn what protections and resources may be available.
Acts of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center provides pregnancy tests at no cost and confidential conversations with a mentor. You can discuss the test result, your options, or an immediate concern, such as keeping up with classes or getting to appointments.
Pregnancy Does Not Cancel Your Place in Class
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits pregnancy discrimination at colleges and other schools receiving federal funding. Under current federal guidance, a covered school generally must:
- Allow you to continue participating in classes, labs, clinicals, clubs, athletics, and other school activities.
- Excuse absences related to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as a medical provider says they are necessary.
- Give you an opportunity to make up work, participation points, or attendance credit missed during a medically necessary absence.
- Return you to the same academic and extracurricular status after medically necessary leave.
- Provide reasonable adjustments when needed because of pregnancy, such as a larger desk, elevator access, or more frequent restroom breaks.
- Apply medical documentation requirements in the same way they apply to students with other medical conditions.
If an instructor tells you to withdraw, refuses pregnancy-related makeup work, or penalizes a medically necessary absence, contact your school’s Title IX coordinator. Arkansas Northeastern College publishes its current coordinator and contact information on its Title IX webpage.
Keep copies of relevant emails, medical documentation, assignments, and the dates of conversations with school employees. Written records can make it easier to explain what happened if you need to raise a concern.
Think Before Changing Your Enrollment
Dropping a class or reducing your course load may affect financial aid, program requirements, or your expected graduation date. Before making an enrollment change, ask your academic advisor and financial aid office how it would affect your specific record.
You do not have to share every detail with every instructor. Ask the Title IX coordinator what documentation is required, who needs to receive it, and how to request an adjustment or medically necessary absence.
Find Practical Resources Near Campus
A mentor at Acts of Hope can discuss pregnancy options, parenting and life-skills education, material assistance, and community referrals. Depending on current programs and requirements, referrals may be available for transportation, education goals, baby supplies, or other practical needs.
Acts of Hope PRC is not a medical clinic and does not perform or refer for abortions. If you qualify and appointments are available, a mentor may also discuss an ultrasound referral with a local medical provider.
Start Close to Campus
Acts of Hope PRC serves students throughout Blytheville and Mississippi County from a location less than three miles from Arkansas Northeastern College. Schedule a free pregnancy test or a confidential conversation with a mentor.
