Generations College Featured in Inside Higher Ed for Supporting Student Parents
Balancing college with parenting is not a side challenge — for many students, it is the whole story. Work schedules, childcare, finances, and family responsibilities can make a degree feel out of reach, even when motivation is high.
That is why Generations College built support around real life. And that work is now earning national attention.
In an August 14, 2026 feature, Inside Higher Ed highlighted four colleges rethinking how institutions support student parents and caregivers. Generations College was one of them, recognized for expanding college access through our Single Parent Scholarship.
A scholarship designed for real life
Generations College launched the Single Parent Scholarship in 2020 after college leaders saw a clear and growing barrier: the cost of childcare and the broader financial strain of returning to school as a single parent.
The scholarship is available to full-time, Pell Grant–eligible students who are single parents. It helps cover remaining tuition after grant aid — creating a path to an associate degree at no cost for eligible recipients. Students maintain eligibility with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
Demand has grown steadily. This year alone, Generations College awarded over 100 scholarships.
The program has become one of the institution’s largest financial aid offerings — and a practical expression of our mission to help students live the legacy they want for their families.
Hope, backed by action
Chancellor Grace Alexis has been clear about the purpose behind the program:
“We just wanted to provide them with a sense of hope that, ‘Yes, you too can still obtain your college degree, despite the fact that you have all of these other obligations.’ It takes everything from the parent to make it work. They sacrifice themselves, their education and their lifestyle in order to provide food, shelter and the necessities for their children.”
At Generations College, more than half of student parents are raising children on their own. Many are adult learners carrying school, work, and family at once. Support cannot be theoretical. It has to reduce real barriers.
Why this recognition matters
National coverage from Inside Higher Ed affirms what our students already know: when colleges design aid and support around the lives students actually live, persistence becomes more possible.
It also raises a larger higher-ed question the article explores well — from scholarships and childcare to belonging and career pathways: what does it take for student parents not only to enroll, but to finish?
For us, the answer starts with removing financial friction, speaking with honesty about the sacrifice student parents make, and keeping the door open with dignity and high expectations.
What comes next for students and families
If you are a single parent considering college, or you know someone who is, we want you to see this moment as an invitation.
- Read the full Inside Higher Ed feature: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/college-experience/2026/08/14/how-4-colleges-are-supporting-student-parents
- Explore eligibility and next steps on our Single Parent Scholarship page:
- Talk with Admissions about programs that fit your goals and schedule
Your responsibilities are real. Your goals are too. You do not have to choose between providing for your family and investing in your future.
Get ready to Live the Legacy with us at Generations College.
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