Student Parent
Congratulations on your dedication to earning your degree! As you work to balance the demands at home and school, the Academic Success Center’s team of professional staff can assist you in orienting to the higher education landscape, navigating the nitty gritty of time management, honing your academic skills, and staying consistent with your goals. Consider joining us for an Academic Skills Workshop, signing up for an Academic Skills Consultation or Academic Success Coaching Session, or checking out our Semester Toolkit to make this your best year yet. You can do this!
Am I a Student Parent?
We define student parents as Georgia Southern University students who are also primary caregivers for dependents.
Q: I am a student at Georgia Southern and expecting my first child.
A: You are a student parent!
Q: I am a student at Georgia Southern and serve as the primary caregiver for a dependent.
A: You are a student parent!
Common Challenges
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than one-fifth of all college students are student parents – that’s nearly 4 million college students with children. Further, over half of student parents are single parents, which often require additional support and resources to juggle both academics and family responsibilities.
Below are a few of the most common challenges facing student parents enrolling in a degree program for the first time, or returning to higher education after some time away. Consider how your academic commitments may require you to adjust your current routines, and then develop a plan to manage any changes or potential challenges. Speak with your family and employer to gain their support during this exciting time in your life.
- Time. Some student parents may work full-time or part-time jobs to support their families. Some student parents may choose to attend school part-time and will need to find creative ways to fit their schoolwork into their schedules. Consider exploring programs with a flexible format or multiple course modality options.
- Money. Student parents tend to experience higher instances of economic insecurity, including issues with food, housing, and other necessities. These financial hurdles can make it hard for many student parents to earn a postsecondary degree. Student parents may have access to financial aid at Georgia Southern University, which can offer federal student loans and grants, as well as suggest scholarships and financial aid packages that can lower the cost of tuition even further. Be sure to mention your status as a student parent to your Financial Aid counselor, and ask what financial support resources may be available to you.
- Imposter Syndrome. Some people who struggle with imposter syndrome believe that they are undeserving of their achievements and high esteem. To that, we say: you belong here. You are competent, you are intelligent, and you can do this! Locate helpful resources, advocate for your needs, and enlist the help of others to support you during this time. Stay in touch with your dedicated academic advisor – every Georgia Southern University student has one! Your academic advisor will work closely with you the whole time you’re enrolled to ensure you stay on track through graduation.
By choosing a program that fits your current needs and building your support network, you’ll find yourself in an environment that understands your unique obstacles, offers resources to overcome them, and is dedicated to your success.
Student Resources
Additional support is often required for student parents to thrive, so we’ve rounded up some resources to help get you started.
Basic Needs Support
- Equal Opportunity & Title IX: Title IX protects pregnant and parenting students from discrimination. This includes pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, miscarriage, or recovery from any of these conditions. It is illegal to exclude a pregnant student from any part of an educational program due to their pregnant and parenting status. Support services may include:
- Absences: Absences related to pregnancy and childbirth must be excused as long as your doctor deems the absence medically necessary (i.e., for doctor’s appointments, bed rest, recovery, etc.). Documentation may be requested by the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX. As part of this process, you may work with professors for an opportunity to make up missed work. Please see the Pregnancy Accommodation Request Form for assistance.
- Accommodations & Adjustments: Any special services provided to students with temporary medical conditions must also be provided to a pregnant student in need of those same services. Reasonable adjustments may include, but are not limited to:
- Larger desk
- Frequent bathroom breaks
- Parking adjustments
- Flexibility with attendance and deadlines
- Makeup/online work
- Incomplete in course
- Course withdrawal or replacement
- The Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS) program: The CCAMPIS program will serve no less than 30 student-parents per year on the Armstrong and Liberty Campuses by providing financial support for childcare services. To apply for CCAMPIS assistance, student-parents must be PELL-eligible. More information on student eligibility and the application process will be available soon. To learn more, contact the Office of Inclusive Excellence by emailing oie@georgiasouthern.edu.
- Food: Campus Food Pantries
- Housing: Off-Campus Housing Options
- Health: Counseling Center, Psychology Clinic and Health Services
- Financial: Office of Financial Aid and Open Educational Resources
Campus Resources
- Office of Advisement
- Academic Success Center
- Counseling Center
- Dean of Students Office
- Financial Aid
- Office of Career and Professional Development
- Office of Leadership and Community Engagement
- Office of Multicultural Affairs
- Office of Student Activities
- Open Educational Resources
- Student Accessibility Resource Center
- TRIO Student Support Services (Armstong/Liberty)
- University Libraries
Technology-Related Resources
Community Resources
- The Georgia Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)‘s Fatherhood program is an employment-based service that focuses on providing services that can help the noncustodial parent achieve self-sufficiency. It also encourages parents to increase emotional, parental, and financial involvement in the lives of the noncustodial parent’s children. Services offered:
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Grandparents, or other relatives, may apply for child support services at no cost, in a local DCSS office or by completing an Application for Services or through the DCSS online Customer Online Services. Referrals to DCSS may also be received through the Division of Aging Services or the Division of Family and Children Services
- The Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program assists low-income families with the cost of childcare. Families may be eligible to receive financial assistance to help with the cost of childcare. The Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, administered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), helps parents access childcare so they can attend work, school, or training programs.
- Breastfeeding support
Additional Resources
- With solid support, today’s students with children can break through barriers
- Many Determined College Students Are Also Dedicated Parents: A Preview of the Student Parent Affordability Report
- Support for Parents Attending College: What to Know
- Campus Engagement Tip: Boost Resources for Students With Children
Last updated: 11/27/2023