Parenting and Postsecondary Success: Insights and Recommendations from Georgia’s Student Parents
Nearly one in five undergraduate students in the U.S. is a parent, yet higher education systems rarely account for their unique needs. In Georgia, lack of accessible child care, rigid academic structures, and insufficient wraparound supports create substantial barriers to completion.
Since 2018, GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students has examined how child care challenges affect workforce and education participation. In 2025, GEEARS conducted focus groups with 31 student parents and interviews with seven higher education professionals from across Georgia. This research provides a comprehensive look at the barriers student parents face, their preferences for support, and recommendations for action at the institutional, state, and federal levels.