National Emergency Scholarship Fund for Student Parents

In the United States, more than one in five college students — over 3.8 million individuals — are raising children while pursuing their education. These student parents are among the most determined, high-performing, and overlooked students on campus.

Despite earning higher GPAs than their non-parenting peers, student parents face unique barriers: time poverty, unaffordable childcare, isolation, and a lack of institutional support. Most are low-income, first-generation students. Nearly 3 in 4 are women, and more than half are students of color.

That’s why Scholarship America, in partnership with the ECMC Foundation, Trellis Foundation, Crimsonbridge Foundation, and others, is proud to launch the National Emergency Scholarship Fund for Student Parents.

A Lifeline When It’s Needed Most

This fund provides fast, flexible financial support to student parents who are on the brink of dropping out due to unexpected expenses — a car repair, a medical bill, a missed childcare payment. The goal: keep them enrolled, on track, and moving toward a degree that will change the trajectory of their family’s life.

The Fund officially launches on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025, with a nationwide campaign that will run through Father’s Day, June 15. We’re inviting donors, institutions, and advocates to join us in elevating and supporting student parents in real, tangible ways.

Why It Matters

• Student parents are resilient. Many juggle full course loads while raising young children, working jobs, and navigating financial insecurity — all while earning grades on par with or better than their peers.
• They are a vital part of the student population. Nearly 20% of undergraduates and nearly 30% of graduate students are parents — yet most institutions aren’t collecting data or designing programs with them in mind.
• The social ROI is enormous. A single mother who completes a bachelor’s degree will contribute over $220,000 more in taxes over her lifetime than a peer with a high school diploma, and draw $40,000 less in public assistance.
• The financial impact extends to the next generation. Research shows that a $3,000 increase in a parent’s earnings during early childhood yields a 17% increase in a child’s future earnings.
• Degrees now turn into degrees later. 70% of adults with at least one parent who holds a bachelor’s degree earn one themselves, versus only 26% of first-generation students.

You Can Help

We’re looking for:

• Matching donors and corporate sponsors
• Champions willing to share their stories or author testimonials
• Everyday donors who want to make a meaningful difference — any gift, any size matters

Contact Scholarship America to learn how your school, company or foundation can be part of the movement, and join us to ensure that no parent has to choose between feeding their child and finishing their degree.