Every Parent Who Learns Lifts a Family
Across Michigan, thousands of parents are pursuing college degrees—often between shifts, after bedtime routines, or during lunch breaks. These student parents make up nearly 1 in 5 undergraduates nationwide, representing more than 4 million students across the U.S. They are resilient and motivated, but often invisible in higher education systems not built with families in mind. Only 17 percent of student parents complete a degree within six years, compared with half of students without children. The biggest barriers? Childcare, housing, and food insecurity. Supporting these learners isn’t charity. It’s a strategic investment in Michigan’s workforce, equity, and future prosperity.
Why Student Parents Matter
- When student parents earn degrees, everyone benefits:
- A college-educated mother earns about $9,200 more per year—a 28% income boost.
- Her children are more likely to attend and complete college, breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty.
- Every $1 invested in supporting student parents returns $5.35 in public and economic benefits.
- Supporting student parents drives progress toward Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal and strengthens communities across the state.
The Reality: Juggling School, Work, and Family
65% of student parents work full-time while enrolled in school. Over half experience food insecurity, two-thirds face housing instability, and many still live below twice the federal poverty line. Michigan’s high childcare costs—averaging over $10,000 per year per child—can make college feel out of reach. Without support, parents often face an impossible choice: stay in school or stay afloat.
Michigan Colleges and Universities Leading the Way
Michigan State University (MSU): A Hub of Support
MSU’s Student Parent Resource Center (SPRC) sets the state standard for comprehensive, family-centered support. It offers:
- Child Care Grants to offset licensed childcare expenses.
- Advocacy and faculty engagement to help parents manage coursework and caregiving.
- Student Parents on a Mission (SPOM) — a peer network that builds community and reduces isolation.
- Referrals to basic needs resources, including housing, food, and mental health services.
University of Michigan (U-M): Empowering Caregivers
Through its Center for the Education of Women+ (CEW+), U-M helps student parents balance academics and family life:
- Child Care Subsidy for financially eligible students.
- Emergency grants to prevent crises from interrupting education.
- A dedicated ‘Students with Children’ hub listing family housing, lactation spaces, and tutoring help.
Wayne State University (WSU): Public Partnerships in Action
At the heart of Detroit, Wayne State exemplifies urban innovation:
- Warrior One-Stop simplifies access to financial aid, advising, and student services.
- Partnership with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) brings benefit navigators directly to campus—helping students apply for food, cash, and childcare assistance without leaving school.
Community Colleges: Innovation on the Front Lines
Community colleges are vital for Michigan’s student parents who are often adults returning to school close to home:
- North Central Michigan College offers flexible scheduling, online options, and priority registration for student parents. Its CCAMPIS-funded childcare assistance fills critical funding gaps.
- Lansing Community College (LCC) provides a Child Care Grant tied to academic progress, promoting accountability and success.
- With an Innovation Investment Award from the Michigan Center for Adult College Success,
- Monroe County Community College launched the Momentum program, which incorporates childcare into its student support services for adult learners.
Statewide Solutions: The Michigan Child Care Scholarship
The Child Development and Care (CDC) Program, often called the Michigan Child Care Scholarship, is a lifeline for student parents. Administered by MDHHS, it provides financial assistance for childcare while parents work or attend college.
In 2025, the Michigan College Student Basic Needs Task Force recommended expanding this scholarship to cover full-time care for parenting students enrolled part-time and requiring colleges to proactively reach out to student parents about eligibility. The Michigan Center for Adult College Success supports this vision by helping campuses streamline benefit access, share data responsibly, and build cross-agency partnerships.
Toward a Family-Friendly Future
Supporting student parents means supporting Michigan’s future. As more working adults return to school, policies and practices must evolve to fit the realities of parenting students. When campuses make childcare affordable, classes flexible, and benefits accessible: families stay stable, graduation rates rise, and Michigan’s workforce grows stronger and more equitable.
Recognizing Resilience
Student parents embody resilience. They are raising Michigan’s next generation while striving for their own education and advancement. By strengthening campus supports, expanding childcare access, and aligning systems, Michigan can lead the nation in helping families learn and thrive together.
Through the Advancing Adult Attainment program, the Michigan Center for Adult College Success provides technical assistance to institutions that want to update policies and processes to support adult learner degree completion rates. Visit our Virtual Office Hours or email us at TheCenter@talentfirst.net to schedule a consultation.
References and Resources from the SPARK Collaborative:
https://studentparentaction.org/resources/student-parents-basic-needs
