Expressing support for the contributions and achievements of student parents in seeking and completing a postsecondary education and designating September 2025 as "National Student Parent Month".

Summary

Records and highlights findings about student parents who attend postsecondary institutions, describing their number, demographics, work and family circumstances, and barriers to completing degrees. The resolution emphasizes high rates of food and housing insecurity, heavy work commitments, childcare shortages, and the economic importance of degree attainment for these students.

• About 3.14 million postsecondary students are parents.
• More than half of student parents are students of color and nearly half are first-generation college students.
• High work demands: two-thirds work 40+ hours per week while enrolled.
• Major basic-needs insecurity: over half report food insecurity and nearly 60% report housing insecurity.
• Student parents often have higher GPAs but far lower bachelor’s completion within five years.
• Childcare shortages directly disrupt attendance and contribute to dropout and re-enrollment patterns.
• Significant military connection: many student parents are military-connected or veterans, including surviving spouses using VA benefits.
• Degree attainment for student parents yields large public-cost savings and improves economic mobility.