Yoslin Amaya, a hardworking mother of two, has faced numerous challenges while pursuing her education. Working a night shift as a janitor and living with her in-laws, she would come home exhausted to work on her assignments late into the night. Her dream was to make a difference in politics and be an advocate for change. Amaya’s story is not unique as there are nearly 4 million college students in the United States who are also parents. However, the higher education system is not designed to support student-parents, creating additional hurdles for them to overcome.
Many aspects of college life, such as classes and campus activities, are tailored to traditional students who are fresh out of high school and not juggling parenting or full-time work. Unfortunately, this narrow focus ignores the needs of the majority of undergraduates who don’t fit into this mold. For instance, living on campus can be challenging for student-parents who need to care for their families at home. Additionally, crucial resources like financial aid and student affairs are often unavailable during evening hours when working students need them the most.
The unique challenges faced by student-parents, who make up a significant portion of the college population, are often overlooked. Parenting responsibilities dictate their schedules, and financial burdens extend far beyond tuition and books to cover childcare and housing costs. Student-parents are frequently people of color, women, low-income, older than 30, and first-generation college students. These additional layers of obstacles make it significantly harder for them to complete their degrees. Even before the pandemic, nearly 70 percent of student-parents reported experiencing housing insecurity. Furthermore, 40 percent of Black female undergraduate students are also mothers. For Amaya, who emigrated from El Salvador as a child, managing her uncertain immigration status adds an extra layer of complexity to her college journey.
As a former student-parent myself, I understand firsthand how colleges are not designed to accommodate parents. From struggling to register for essential classes to attending group meetings that conflicted with childcare responsibilities, the barriers were constant. Affordable and reliable childcare is a significant challenge for single mothers like me, and there is often an underlying culture that views parenting as an inconvenience. I vividly remember bundling up my sick child to attend class because a professor threatened to fail me if I didn’t show up.
Fortunately, some colleges, particularly community colleges, have begun implementing programs to support student-parents. For example, the City University of New York offers flexible childcare options, parenting workshops, and access to community resources. Morehouse College has launched the Fathers to the Finish Line Initiative, which provides academic support, mentorship, and financial resources to student-fathers. Wilson College offers year-round on-campus housing for single student-parents and has eliminated housing fees for participants. While these initiatives are commendable, they are still the exception rather than the norm.
To truly support student-parents, colleges and universities need to consider their needs beyond just housing and childcare. They should include student-parents in their diversity and equity efforts and address challenges at every stage of the college experience. This includes revising enrollment practices, improving financial aid procedures, and ensuring a supportive environment within the classroom.
Although Yoslin Amaya beat the odds and graduated from the University of Maryland, 52 percent of student-parents like her leave college without completing their degree within six years. Imagine if more colleges and universities embraced the diversity of their student body and provided the necessary support. This change would prevent millions from ever having to choose between pursuing higher education and raising a family.
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