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.
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.
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.
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 [...]
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.
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
