Child-friendly Colleges for Single Parents
According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, approximately 1 out of 4 undergraduate students has a dependent of their own.
About half of those are single parents — and the vast majority of those are mothers.
One of the challenges facing single mothers going back to school is that many colleges and universities cater to traditional students.
For non-traditional students with families of their own, amenities such as access to child care, flexible scheduling options and parent support groups, aren’t always available at every institution.
To get you started on your search, here is a list of a few child-friendly colleges that are more accommodating to welcome single parents to the campus.
Baldwin Wallace University #
Single Parents Reaching Out For Unassisted Tomorrows (SPROUT) at Baldwin Wallace University is a comprehensive residential program that provides housing, child care, personal development & financial aid for single parents (ages 18-23) and their children.
Julie Candela
SPROUT Director
440-826-2130
https://www.bw.edu
Endicott College #
Endicott College in Massachusetts offers a Keys to Degrees program that is designed for academically qualified single parents, ages 18 to 24, at the time of their enrollment. Students can live on campus year round, and learn on campus with their children.
Pam Miles
Director, Keys to Degrees
Endicott College
376 Hale Street, Beverly, MA 01915
978-232-2011
Berea College #
Berea’s Ecovillage is one of a handful of residential college programs designed specifically for student-parents. It provides family-friendly accommodation, on-campus child care, after-school programs in exchange for at least 10 hours per week in the school’s labor program.
Nancy Gift
Berea College
Berea, KY 40404
859-985-3362
https://www.berea.edu
College of Saint Mary #
College of Saint Mary offers a Mothers Living and Learning program for single mothers to pursue college degrees full time while living on campus with their children ages six week to 10. Kids eat free on their mother’s meal plan, and there’s a day care center on campus.
Ellen Engh
Director of Residence Life
College of Saint Mary
Omaha, Nebraska 68106
(800) 926-5534
http://www.csm.edu
Eastern Michigan University #
The Keys to Degrees Single Parent Program is designed for students who are the custodial parents of one child age 18 months or older. It provides year-round, on-campus accommodations, access to child care, mentoring and personal development workshops.
Keys to Degrees Single Parent Program is the only student-parent program of its kind offering the ability to graduate in three (3) years.
Keys to Degrees
301 Pierce Hall
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734-487-8041
https://www.emich.edu
Mills College #
Mills College offers family housing in its Underwood Apartments — a 5-minute walk from campus, and parents with children receive priority housing for these spots.
Children of student parents enjoy priority enrollment in the children’s school on campus as well. The college even offers emergency loans for single parents in need.
Michelle de Sousa Moore
Director, Residential Life Acting Area Coordinator
Oakland, CA 94613
510-430-2325
https://www.mills.edu
Misericordia University #
The Ruth Matthews Bourger Women With Children Program at Misericordia University is designed for academically qualified single mothers of all ages, providing them with the opportunity to attend classes while living on the Misericordia campus with their children ages of 2 and 8. Childcare is subsidized by the University.
Katherine Pohlidal
Director
Misericordia University
Dallas, PA 18612
570-674-6728
https://www.misericordia.edu
Wilson College #
Wilson’s Women with Children Program is only open to single moms with children ages 20 months and older; offering year-round, family-friendly on-campus housing with free child care for children up to age 5. The program has its own activities including field trips to local kid-friendly destinations.
Katie Kough
Director of Women With Children Program
Chambersburg, PA 17201
717-262-2006
https://www.wilson.edu