Higher Learning Advocates and 40 organizations signed on to a letter to Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Tom Carper (D-DE) applauding Congress for passing the National Student Parent Month resolution. For the third consecutive year, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating September as a national celebration of parenting students, which acknowledges the sacrifices and contributions made by parents who are also today’s students.

“Parenting students continue to make up almost a quarter of the undergraduate student population — almost 4 million students. Additionally, 37% of Black women, 27% of American Indian/Alaska Native women, 19% of Hispanic women, and 7% of Asian/Pacific Islander women in college are single parents. Furthermore, 6 in 10 parenting students work over 30 hours per week combined with going to school, studying, and caring for their children.”

In a news release, Sen. Moran, who has shown continued support for parenting students by leading the resolution each year, states, “Balancing classes and parenting requires patience and perseverance.” And Sen. Carper said, “Student parents work hard every day – not only to build a better life for themselves, but also to pave the path to success for their children.”

The resolution notes that “the cohort of single mothers currently enrolled in higher education will save approximately $19,900,000,000 in public assistance spending,” and “a low-income student parent who earns a degree or credential boosts the income of that individual and the earning potential of the children of that individual when those children become adults.”

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