The Center Appeals to Congress for Student Parent Funding

Higher Learning Advocates / March 22, 2023


Male student studying with parent

According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015–16 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:16), 30% of first-generation college students reported having dependents. Advocating for sources of financial support outside of traditional student financial aid is important in supporting student-parents' persistence and completion goals.

As 56 organizations, institutions, and advocates committed to promoting the postsecondary success of college students with children, we are writing to express our strong support for increasing funding for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program to $500 million—the amount needed to provide child care support to approximately 6 percent of Pell-eligible parenting students of children ages 0-5. CCAMPIS offers vital support for the participation and success of low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of subsidized child care and is widely recognized as one of the most important supports for parenting college students.

Explore