Student Parents

Tips for Advising

Student parents face many unique challenges, so it’s helpful to understand what those challenges are and when to or how to refer a student parent to the Student Parent Help Center for services and/or resources. One of the biggest challenges is finding and paying for child care. Not all student parents can find child care or afford to pay for the cost of child care along with their monthly bills while attending school. It is crucial to let them know about child care grants and refer them to the Student Parent Help Center for the screening process. The University offers two different child care grants, both of which can be used to pay for the cost of child care or daycare. The center also offers a one-time emergency assistance grant to registered student parents who are facing critical financial needs.

There is a stigma behind “teen moms” or “young parents.” In most cases, these individuals will not seek help or services. They do not want to be looked down upon and by the time they do seek help, it’s too late. Therefore, knowing when to step in is crucial for advisors. Some student parents may also struggle to find the balance of being a student and a parent. Helping them create a flexible schedule that allows them to both work and parent is important. Keep in mind that not only are these individuals focusing on their academic work and trying to graduate on time but that they’re also focusing on being a parent, whether it’s their first time or not.

Just like any other students on campus, student parents also face many challenges. If a student parent is not doing so well academically, it's worth checking in to see if there are any underlying concerns.