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Nearly one in three college students is also a caregiver. According to a 2020 Lumina-Gallup survey, 30% of enrolled students are parents of minor children or caregivers to adults, a figure that rises to 42% among those pursuing an associate degree. Balancing coursework with the care of a child, a sibling, or an aging parent is not an exception on today’s campuses. It is one of the most common experiences students have.
That balance is demanding, and it affects outcomes. Managing both roles well takes more than determination; it takes the right support. Your Assistance Program offers resources built for exactly this, helping you stay organized, manage stress, and find care for the people who depend on you.
What the Research Shows
Research on student caregivers offers a clear picture. Using U.S. Department of Education data that followed students for six years after they started college, researchers at New America found a notable difference in outcomes: 29% of students without caregiving responsibilities left college without a degree, compared to more than 50% of caregiver students.
This difference is not a matter of ability. Caregiver students perform comparably to their peers in the classroom, with more than half maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The difference reflects how demanding it is to carry two significant roles at once, particularly without the right support in place.
That is precisely where support makes the difference. Reaching your degree is not only about effort in the classroom. It is also about the resources you have outside it.
How Your Assistance Program Can Help
Your Assistance Program offers free, confidential resources to help you manage caregiving and parenting while staying on track academically and personally. Examples of services you can access include:
- Counseling and Emotional Support: Talk to a professional about stress, anxiety, burnout, or family challenges. Even a few sessions can help you feel more grounded and in control.
- Child Care and Elder Care Referrals: Need help finding daycare, after-school programs, senior care services, or in-home support? Your Assistance Program can research options and provide a list tailored to your needs.
- Time Management and Life Coaching: Learn strategies for planning your day, setting boundaries, and balancing school, caregiving, and personal time.
- Financial and Legal Guidance: Parenting and caregiving can come with unexpected costs and legal questions. Your Assistance Program can connect you with experts to help you build a budget, understand benefits, or explore legal documents like power of attorney or guardianship.
Tips to Stay Balanced
- Build a Flexible Routine: Give your day structure and leave room for the unexpected.
- Ask for Help: A family member, a friend, an instructor, and your Assistance Program can each lighten the load. Support makes a difference.
- Communicate with Instructors: Let them know if caregiving affects your deadlines or attendance. Most instructors want to help, you just need to ask.
- Take Small Breaks: Even five minutes to breathe, stretch, or drink water can improve your focus and mood.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Caregiving and parenting are acts of love, but they do not need to come at the cost of your well-being or academic success. Your Assistance Program exists to support you, guide you, and remind you that asking for help is a sign of strength.
You deserve support too. To get started, visit Member Support.
