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Saint Paul College has been awarded a $125,000 Student Parent Support Initiative (SPSI) Grant from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE), part of a statewide investment of $2.8 million to help colleges and community organizations better support students who are balancing higher education and parenting responsibilities.
August 6, 2026 – Saint Paul College has received a $125,000 Student Parent Support Initiative (SPSI) grant from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, part of a statewide effort to help colleges and community organizations better support students who are balancing higher education and parenting.
The funding will allow Saint Paul College to expand programs and services designed to help student parents stay enrolled, complete their credentials, and create stronger futures for themselves and their families.
Student parents make up a significant portion of the Saint Paul College community, with nearly 27% of students identifying as parents. College data and student feedback show that many parenting students face challenges related to childcare, housing, food security, transportation, and financial stability while pursuing their educational goals.
Over the past year, SPSI funding helped launch several initiatives at Saint Paul College, including the Pregnant and Parenting Student Hub, student parent scholarships, expanded basic needs support, family-friendly spaces, and opportunities for student parents to help shape services through a Student Parent Advisory Council.
“At Saint Paul College, we know that student parents are balancing school, work, and family responsibilities every day. This investment helps us remove barriers, strengthen support systems, and ensure more student parents can persist, graduate, and create new opportunities for themselves and their families.”
Dean of Student Success
The new grant will build on that momentum by expanding emergency financial assistance, basic needs resources, peer support opportunities, and partnerships with community organizations that serve families and children. The initiative also supports the College’s commitment to student success by ensuring students have access to the resources they need both inside and outside the classroom.
Since launching the Student Parent Support Initiative in 2023, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education has invested more than $10.6 million in programs supporting pregnant and parenting students across the state.
