Student parents are more likely to earn higher GPAs but are less likely to complete degrees
Younger college students who are parents need more support from their campus leaders, says a new report that also provides more demographic details about these students.
Understanding who these students are is key if administrators are to offer the right financial, academic and other services these students need to attain their degrees, says the report by Child Trends, a nonprofit advocacy group.
In fact, parenting students are more likely to earn higher GPAs than their classmates without kids but are less likely to complete their degrees, the report says.
Students with kids account for 22% of undergraduate enrollment, and the report zeroes in how administrators can assist parents ages 18-to-24 with on-campus child care, employment opportunities, flexible schedules, and academic and career counseling services.
The COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on child care has put yet more strain on students parents, while the resulting recession means campus employment and job placement services are now even more critical for student parents.