Policies at Brown vary according to your status as either a graduate student or postdoctoral appointee. While we have provided some links to policies that could pertain to parents, you are encouraged to speak to someone in human resources for further information.

Parental Relief Policy
Graduate students in good or satisfactory academic standing who are supported by a stipend are eligible for Parental Relief for the care of a newly born infant or adopted child under 16 years of age. Doctoral students beyond year 6 are not eligible for Parental Relief. Graduate students may request Parental Relief up to two times during their tenure as a student at Brown. In instances in which co-parents are both graduate students at Brown, both parents are eligible for Parental Relief. The relief provides a stipend for one semester or a summer.

• See the full policy in the 'Parental Relief Support' section of the Graduate School Handbook
• Apply using the 'Parental Relief Support Request' form in UFunds (under Graduate Student Leave and Accommodations)

Child Care Subsidy
Brown University’s Child Care Subsidy helps pay for child care expenses for degree-seeking students by granting awards of up to $5,000 per year, per child (up to 3 children) for those whose total household adjusted gross income is less than or equal to $100,000 per year. The Subsidy covers child care for dependents between the ages of 0 to 6 and will vary from family to family and year to year depending on a family's financial need and a range of other factors. The subsidy helps you explore options and find creative solutions to some of the child care challenges you may face.

Backup Child Care
All graduate students have a free premium membership to Care.com, an online family care platform that offers services for finding, managing and paying for care.  Care.com can provide options for vetted in-home or in-center child care for when your child’s regular school or daycare is closed, when your child is sick or under the weather, to cover holidays or any other time a quality caregiver is needed. (Non-degree students are not eligible.) Read the details.

Health Insurance Coverage for Dependents
Dependents of graduate students may be enrolled in SHIP at an additional cost. Doctoral and MFA students who receive health coverage through their financial support packages from the University receive a 75% subsidy on the cost of enrolling dependents in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Eligible dependents include a legal spouse or domestic partner, children up to the age of 26, or a newborn infant born while the student is covered by SHIP. A spouse or partner is generally expected to be living with the covered student in order to be eligible for coverage. Please note that dependent coverage expires concurrently with that of the insured student.

Dependents can be enrolled during the annual open enrollment period (for Fall 2022, the dependent enrollment deadline is September 23, 2022) or within 30 days of a qualifying life event. To enroll dependents, visit the Gallagher website. 

Qualifying life events that allow for enrollment outside of the annual window include:

• Birth of child (this allows for enrollment of the child - not a spouse)
• Loss of coverage under another insurance plan
• Marriage
• Divorce
• Spouse entering the US for the first time

For more details about SHIP, visit the Graduate School’s Health and Dental Insurance website or the Student Health Insurance Plan website.

Dental Insurance Coverage for Dependents
Dependents of graduate students may be enrolled in Delta Dental coverage at an additional cost. Doctoral and MFA students who receive dental coverage through their financial support packages from the University receive a 75% subsidy on the annual premium cost of enrolling a dependent. Eligible dependents include a legal spouse or domestic partner, children up to the age of 26, or a child born while the graduate student is covered by the Delta Dental plan. A spouse or partner is generally expected to be living with the covered student in order to be eligible for coverage.

For more information about the Delta Dental plan and how to enroll dependents, visit the Graduate School’s Health and Dental Insurance website.

Lactation Rooms on Campus
Locations are available by reservation for Brown faculty, staff and students. You will need to provide your own pump, adapter, and accessories as well as a small cooler or insulated bag.

Resources & Privileges for Family Members
Spouses and children of graduate students are eligible for some Brown benefits including health insurance and a discounted gym membership.

Sarah Doyle Center for Women and Gender
The Sarah Doyle Center offers programs and services for all members of the Brown community, and is a site for research into and exploration of gender issues that extend into and beyond the classroom.

Back to Family Resources home page.