This resolution expresses support for student parents pursuing higher education and designates September 2025 as "National Student Parent Month."
Jerry Moran
Senator
KS
This resolution expresses support for student parents balancing postsecondary education with raising children, recognizing their significant contributions despite facing numerous challenges like food and housing insecurity. It officially designates September 2025 as "National Student Parent Month" to highlight their achievements. The bill underscores the importance of supporting these motivated students, who are crucial to improving outcomes for their families.
Resolution Highlights That 15% of College Students Are Parents Juggling Kids and Classes
This resolution is essentially a formal shout-out to the 3.14 million people—about 15% of all college students—who are trying to earn a degree or certificate while also raising children. It lays out the hard facts about the challenges these student parents face, highlighting that they often deal with high rates of food and housing insecurity while working full-time. The core purpose of the resolution is twofold: to formally recognize the dedication and achievements of these students and to designate September 2025 as "National Student Parent Month."
The Real-World Grind of Student Parents
If you’ve ever tried to juggle a full-time job, family life, and maybe a side hustle, you know the crunch. Now imagine adding college coursework to that mix. The resolution points out that 66% of student parents are already working 40 or more hours a week, and a quarter of undergraduate women parents report struggling with food insecurity. For these folks, earning a degree isn't just about career advancement; it's often the pathway out of poverty, yet they are ten times less likely to complete a bachelor's degree in five years than their peers without children. The biggest barrier? Childcare issues, which cause 23% of them to miss class.
Why This Recognition Matters
While this resolution doesn't create a new grant program or mandate funding—it’s a non-binding declaration—it’s a big deal for visibility. Officially recognizing the contributions of student parents validates their intense struggle and achievement. By setting aside September 2025 as "National Student Parent Month," the resolution puts a spotlight on the issue. This kind of formal recognition is often the first step toward building political will for real policy changes, like better on-campus childcare options or more flexible scheduling for parents. The resolution makes a clear case that supporting these students pays off, noting that when a low-income student parent graduates, it boosts the future earning potential of their children, breaking cycles of poverty.