Emergency Scholarship Fund for Student Parents | Apply for Support Today

Apply for Emergency Scholarship for Student Parents

Support Student Parents. Strengthen Families. Build a Brighter Future.

In the United States, over 3.8 million college students — more than one in five — are also parents. These student parents are some of the most resilient, high-achieving, yet under-supported individuals in higher education.

Despite consistently earning higher GPAs than their non-parenting peers, student parents face serious challenges:

• Time poverty
  
• Unaffordable childcare
  
• Social isolation
  
• Limited institutional support
  

Most are low-income, first-generation students, with nearly three-quarters being women and over half identifying as students of color.

To address these urgent needs, Scholarship America, in partnership with ECMC Foundation, Trellis Foundation, Ascendium Education Philanthropy, Crimsonbridge Foundation, and others, proudly introduces the National Emergency Scholarship Fund for Student Parents — a critical resource designed to provide emergency financial support to student parents striving to complete their education and secure a better future for their families.

A Lifeline for Student Parents in Crisis

The National Emergency Scholarship Fund offers rapid, flexible financial assistance to student parents at risk of dropping out due to unexpected expenses — such as car repairs, medical bills, or missed childcare payments.

This vital support helps student parents stay enrolled, focused, and on track to earning a degree that can transform their family’s future.

The Fund officially launches on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025, with a nationwide campaign running through Father’s Day, June 15. We’re calling on donors, educational institutions, and advocates to stand with student parents — offering real, life-changing support when it’s needed most.

Why Supporting Student Parents Matters

Student parents are among the most resilient and driven learners in higher education. Many balance full course loads while raising young children, working jobs, and managing financial hardship — yet they consistently achieve grades equal to or better than their non-parenting peers.

Despite making up nearly 20% of all undergraduate students, most colleges and universities lack data, resources, and support systems tailored to their unique needs.

The return on investment is powerful:
📈 A single mother who earns a college degree is projected to earn $256,000 more over her lifetime.
💸 This also translates to an estimated $20 billion reduction in public assistance spending nationwide.

Investing in student parents means investing in stronger families, communities, and a brighter economic future.

You Can Make a Real Difference

We’re calling on supporters, sponsors, and advocates to help empower student parents and remove the barriers standing in their way.

We’re looking for:
✅ Matching donors and corporate sponsors ready to amplify impact
✅ Champions who can share their stories or provide powerful testimonials
✅ Everyday donors who want to create lasting change — because every gift, no matter the size, matters

Join us in ensuring no parent has to choose between feeding their child and finishing their degree. Together, we can keep student parents enrolled, empowered, and on the path to success.