Report Details Community College Student Parents' Struggles

"The report, based on a 2024 survey of students from 164 community colleges, found that parenting students were more engaged than nonparenting students across multiple benchmarks, including coming to class prepared and never skipping classes, despite their additional responsibilities. These students were also more likely than nonparents to have earned an associate degree or certificate or to mention changing careers as a goal."

"But even with such strong drive, 71 percent of student parents reported caring for dependents could cause them to withdraw from college; 73 percent said financial circumstances might make them stop out. Student parents were also more likely than nonparents to face food and housing insecurity, but only small fractions of students reported receiving food or housing support from their college in the last month. In a similar vein, a third of students with children say that their colleges don't adequately support them as parents."

A 2024 survey of students from 164 community colleges showed parenting students were more engaged than nonparents on benchmarks like arriving prepared and rarely skipping class. Parenting students were likelier to hold or pursue associate degrees, certificates, or career changes. Seventy-one percent said caring for dependents could force withdrawal and 73 percent said financial circumstances could make them stop out. Parenting students experienced higher rates of food and housing insecurity while few reported receiving campus support. Many parenting students reported underused resources such as campus childcare, financial advising, and career counseling; some colleges have implemented targeted financial assistance and coaching roles.

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