For Immediate Release:
GENERATION HOPE RELEASES REPORT DEMONSTRATING HOW A COLLEGE DEGREE CREATES BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEEN PARENTS
Report from Nonprofit Generation Hope Shows the Power of a College Degree for Young Parents’ Economic Mobility
WASHINGTON, D.C. — September 13, 2022 — Nonprofit Generation Hope released its report “Higher Together: The Impact of a College Degree for Young Parents” today identifying the direct impacts a college degree has on generating better outcomes for young families as well as recommendations for ensuring teen parents have access to and can succeed in higher education.
“Higher Together” shares the post-college experiences of Generation Hope’s alumni, who were all teen parents working toward their Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees. Generation Hope alumni were a part of the larger student parent population that makes up 1 in 5 undergraduate college students nationwide. The organization’s Scholar Program has helped teen parents complete college by providing direct support, such as mentoring, tuition assistance, a peer community, and other vital services, addressing their immediate and long-term needs.
In surveying their alumni, Generation Hope found consistent themes related to the impact that a college degree can have on young parents and their children. Key findings include:
Average annual earnings for teen parents more than doubled after earning a college degree. While nearly 90% of respondents were earning under $30,000 annually at the time that they started college, the average salary for those who are now working full-time is more than $60,000 annually.
Nearly one-third of teen parent graduates continued on to advanced degrees. Thirty-two percent of Bachelor’s degree earners are either working on or have earned a graduate degree.
Teen parents recognized the value that their college degree brought to their lives. Almost 90% of respondents indicated at least one positive outcome from earning their degrees.
College completion unlocks higher earnings for young parents, but continued efforts to dismantle systemic oppression are essential. Employment discrimination, lack of generational wealth, and pay disparities create ongoing challenges for young families. Even among graduates working full time, 50% are accessing some form of public assistance. Black teen parent graduates were more likely than Hispanic/Latinx graduates to access public assistance, at 63% and 46%, respectively.
“When it comes to earning a college degree, young parents face significant hurdles that stem from being systematically excluded from educational opportunities,” says Nicole Lynn Lewis, Founder and CEO of Generation Hope. “Like all student parents, without intentional supports to alleviate these financial, logistical, mental and emotional challenges, they will continue to face slim odds of earning a college degree. This report not only clearly demonstrates the impact a degree can have on broadening economic possibilities for young families, it also shows how important it is for parenting students to have advocates and champions in their corner committed to helping them shape better futures for themselves and their children.”
Since 2010, Generation Hope has provided direct support to teen and student parents with student-centered practices focused on creating opportunities for young families to succeed and experience economic mobility. The nonprofit also engages education and policy partners to create systemic change in higher education.
Generation Hope’s intentional model has produced successful outcomes for student parents with 61% of their scholars earning a degree within six years, comparable to the national average for all college students. Of the Scholars that graduate, 82% are employed full-time and/or enrolled in a graduate studies program within just six months of graduating. Generation Hope’s alumni's post-graduate success demonstrates both the impact and the need for supportive, caring, holistic support for teen parents as they pursue higher education.
“Generation Hope helped me in a time where everyone else gave up on me,” says Ashley Omar, Generation Hope alumni (Community College of Baltimore County, 2018). “I will always appreciate their endless support.”
“Higher Together: The Impact of a College Degree for Young Parents” illustrates the value of a college degree in creating pathways to economic mobility for young families.
Media Contacts
Brionna Miller
973-861-3554
brionna@whitpr.com
Amani Saleem
908-588-2602
amani@whitpr.com
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About Generation Hope
To ensure all student parents have the opportunities to succeed and experience economic mobility, Generation Hope engages education and policy partners to drive systemic change and provides direct support to teen parents in college as well as their children through holistic, two-generation programming.
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