September is Student Parent Month. Let’s celebrate Student Parents.
September 17, 2024
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 20% of today’s determined college students are parents. These student parents face enormous barriers, with over 2.5 times the likelihood of dropping out within their first year compared to traditional students, and they are ten times less likely than students without children to complete a bachelor’s degree within five years.
Many student parents, particularly women (who comprise nearly 75% of this group), work over 30 hours a week while attending classes, researching, writing papers, and studying. On top of their coursework, they manage parental responsibilities such as meal preparation, homework assistance for their children, and transportation to and from school, daycare, and activities. all while facing financial challenges like housing, food, and transportation insecurity.
At Project Self-Sufficiency, we provide crucial wraparound services to support these single-parent students. We help reduce work hours through grants, assist with housing and transportation, and provide career assessments and educational advocacy. Our advisors work to remove barriers and guide participants toward academic and career success, helping them map a pathway out of poverty.
The results are remarkable: In 2023, the average wage increase from intake to graduation was $27,663 per year, with top earners reaching $83,200 annually. So far this year, we’ve supported 125 single parents and their children, with 17 degrees and certificates earned.
Your support makes all the difference. Investing in their future means investing in brighter futures for their families! Thank you for your continued support.
