Navigating Parenthood, Education, and Work: The Unseen Struggles and Triumphs of Today’s Student Parents

Over the last two days, I’ve chatted with two moms who are effectively navigating parenting, work, and finishing their higher education, both with a cumulative 4.0 GPA. In addition to these responsibilities, they are also facing significant external hurdles, including housing insecurity, food insecurity, and health challenges. Their narratives, echoed by countless others and revealed in the most recent NPSAS data, unveil a striking reality today’s student parents face.

1. The Time Crunch — In September, I spent the day on Capitol Hill with three parenting students who shared stories of time scarcity and prioritization of responsibilities over personal well-being. The data aligns with these narratives, showcasing the time poverty gripping their lives:
   - Half of parenting students are attending school full-time.
   - Approximately 40% work full time, with half of single fathers working full time.
   - About 4 in 10 parenting students are attending public two-year institutions.

Parenting students meeting with congressional offices on Capitol Hill during HLA’s Student Parent Hill Day.

1. Financial Tightrope — Dominique lives in Michigan. When she first enrolled in classes she and her two boys were living in a shelter, trying to make $1 cover the cost of an entire meal. She used her car as storage, but one night, someone broke in and stole everything, including the kid’s snacks and snow boots.
   - Half of parenting students have children in child care and pay, on average, $500 a month.
   - Almost 100% of single parents report an adjusted gross income below $75,000 annually.
   - About 4 in 10 parenting students report low or very low food security, and about 10% report experiencing homelessness in the past 30 days.
2. Bridging the Gap — In the face of adversity, parenting students use means tested benefits to help them stay in school.
   - 95% of parenting students have unmet need
   - 70% of parenting students receive the Pell Grant
   - Almost half of single mothers are a part of households that received SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in 2019 or 2020, compared to 43% of parenting students overall and 19% of single fathers.
   - Overall, 37% of parenting students received WIC in 2019 or 2020; about 40% of single mothers and 26% of single fathers received WIC assistance.

The data paints a powerful picture of individuals striving against odds, navigating obstacles to alter their economic trajectory for a brighter future. Notably, single mothers completing a bachelor’s degree earn $625,000 more in a lifetime and contribute $220,000 more in taxes than those with only a high school diploma. As we reflect on the struggles and triumphs of parenting students, it becomes evident that sustained support for this demographic will have generational implications, shaping the economic landscape for families and contributing to the growth of the American economy.

The stories of today’s student parents are a reminder that behind every statistic is a human life, a story of perseverance, and a pursuit of a brighter future. By acknowledging these challenges and offering sustained support, we empower individuals and lay the foundation for continued economic growth of families and the nation as a whole.