Student Parent Success InitiativeAdministrator2023-09-28T09:43:54-05:00

Student Parent Success Initiative

Earning a postsecondary credential is more important than ever for families to achieve economic security and mobility. For the roughly four million college students who are parents of children under 18—70 percent of whom are mothers—earning a degree or certificate is a pathway to a better life for themselves and their families. These student parents, however, are often overlooked on college campuses and in the broader system of higher education, and lack access to the supports, such as affordable, high-quality child care, that they need to successfully graduate.

IWPR’s Student Parent Success Initiative conducts research and policy analysis, provides technical expertise and assistance, and communicates its research and builds partnerships to lift up the voices of students with children and increase equity in higher education for student parents and other underserved student populations.

FAFSA delay blog
FAFSA Delays-Navigating the Thorny Landscape of College Unaffordability

For many low-income college students, the prevailing Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) delays are causing added panic to our ever-growing educational crisis of soaring college costs. IWPR's Policy Team weighs in.

2023 Education poll
Majorities See Education as a Worthwhile Investment and Favor Student Debt Forgiveness in New IWPR Poll

Check out IWPR's latest poll on public attitudes towards college education, student debt, affirmative action and recent Supreme Court decisions on these important issues.

Underwater
UNDERWATER: STUDENT MOTHERS AND FATHERS STRUGGLE TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES AND PAY OFF COLLEGE LOANS

IWPR conducted original research on an often-overlooked group of students—parents with children—as they struggle to make ends meet while pursuing academic degrees and certificates. Click to learn more.

previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow

4.8 Million College Students are Raising Children

Over a quarter (26 percent) of all undergraduate students, or 4.8 million students, are raising dependent children. Women are disproportionately likely to be balancing college and parenthood, many without the support of a spouse or partner.

By Barbara Gault, Lindsey Reichlin Cruse, Elizabeth Reynolds and Meghan Froehner|November 17, 2014|

Securing a Better Future: A Portrait of Female Students in Mississippi’s Community Colleges

This report presents findings from a survey of female community college students in Mississippi conducted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) and commissioned by the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi.

College Affordability for Low-Income Adults: Improving Returns on Investment for Families and Society

This report was prepared by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) as a part of a series of papers on defining college affordability sponsored by the Lumina Foundation. The report examines how efforts to understand and improve college affordability can be informed by the experiences and circumstances of low-income adults, students of color, and students with dependent children.

By Administrator|April 5, 2014|

Financing Child Care for College Student Success

Download Report This toolkit provides information about a wide range of funding sources for campus-based child care. It is intended as a resource for early care and education programs, institutions of higher learning, advocates, and policymakers. In addition to descriptions of each [...]

By Todd Boressoff|June 11, 2013|

College Students with Children are Common and Face Many Challenges in Completing Higher Education Summary

The role of parenthood in postsecondary outcomes needs greater focus from the higher education reform community.

By Bethany Nelson, Meghan Froehner and Barbara Gault|March 9, 2013|

Webinar: Student Parent Success Initiative on federal supports for low-income student parents through the Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF)

DOWNLOAD REPORT Slideshow/Powerpoint presentation from the Student Parent Success Initiative webinar on federal supports for low-income student parents through the Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) highlighting existing programs in Minnesota and Virginia. 7/25/2012

By Administrator|July 25, 2012|