Austin Community College District (ACC) spent almost a year working with United Way and Trellis Strategies to better understand the challenges and supports for parenting students. Now, they’re sharing the findings of the Parenting Students Project (PSP), a program designed to remove barriers and boost success for low-income student parents.

“Parenting students juggle so much — school, work and family. They show incredible resilience, but they shouldn’t have to do it alone,” says ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart. “ACC is deeply committed to creating an environment where all our students feel seen, valued, and supported every step of the way. This study reinforces what we know: when we provide real support — childcare, financial assistance, and a strong community — our students don’t just persist. They thrive.”

Since fall 2021, the PSP has provided support to 95 students and 137 children through childcare scholarships, case management, a $500 monthly stipend, and peer community activities.

Through a mixed-methods study, Trellis Strategies identified the program’s impact in key areas:

• Stronger Retention Rates: PSP participants showed a 20-percentage point increase in term-to-term retention, with 95% continuing into the next semester.
• Reduced Financial Burden: Students borrowed over $1,000 less in student loans per semester and relied less on emergency aid.
• Enhanced Community Support: Access to peer networks provided emotional support, motivation, and valuable parenting resources.

ACC’s holistic approach reflects the College’s mission to break down barriers and provide equitable opportunities for all students. While the PSP remains a pilot program for parenting students, the lessons learned on support resources can be used to benefit all ACC students. It shows that tailored support can create lasting change, helping students stay in school, reducing their financial stress, and improving overall well-being.

A community-driven model for success

The success of the PSP is rooted in collaboration. Partnerships with organizations like United Way and Trellis Strategies strengthen ACC’s ability to meet students’ complex needs.

“These findings demonstrate how targeted programs, like the Parenting Students Project, address critical barriers and improve outcomes for parenting students,” said Allyson Cornett, Director of Research at Trellis Strategies. “This study highlights how collaboration between higher education institutions and community-based organizations can make a meaningful difference in students’ lives and their ability to thrive in college.”

“With support, it is possible for every family in our community to achieve financial stability, and this study demonstrates how far that support can go when institutions and organizations are aligned in the vision of a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” says Aaron DeLaO, Vice President of Impact at United Way for Greater Austin. “This program not only changed families’ lives, but it also serves as a blueprint for advancing economic opportunity more broadly.”

Today, 1 in 5 college students in the U.S. are parents. Without adequate support, they face higher risks of financial insecurity, time poverty, and stopping out of college. The PSP demonstrates how strategic, student-centered programs can help overcome these barriers, offering a model for institutions nationwide.

This article was originally published here.