Juggling Family and Finances: The Financial Struggles and Obligations of Parenting Students. Spotlight Report Brief

This brief explores the unique financial circumstances of parenting students, a population that makes up nearly a quarter of all postsecondary students. We find that parenting students are more likely to report experiencing financial struggles, use public assistance more often, and are more reliant on credit cards. At the same time, parenting students are more likely to have additional caregiving responsibilities beyond their children, putting them at greater risk for financial and personal burnout, which may impact their ability to stay enrolled.