About 25% of students enrolled in postsecondary institutions have children. Despite their growing strength in number, however, student parents continue to face unique obstacles that prevent them from attaining credentials at rates comparable to their peers. Student parents’ educational outcomes are not only important for the students themselves, but also have a significant impact on their children and communities. This brief describes characteristics and challenges of the student parent population and concludes with research-informed recommendations to increase support for this important group.
