New Grant at TAMU-CC Provides Additional Resources for Parenting Students

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — According to Psychology Today, 5 million undergraduate students in the United States are also parents. These students face challenges similar to traditional students, but with the added burden of balancing childcare. At Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, staff members are dedicated to providing support and assistance to help these students succeed and now have a new grant to help the cause.

The Islanders Caring for Parenting Students (ICPS) program, funded by the Student Success Acceleration Program 2.0 Grant courtesy of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is designed to help parenting students overcome barriers to success. The two-year, $250,000 grant provides resources such as basic needs assessments, support services, and connections to on- and off-campus assistance. The program also offers emergency aid to help students stay enrolled and advance to the next semester.

“For many, the challenges of balancing parenting and education can lead to the difficult decision to pause their academic journey,” said Dr. Claudia Ayala, Associate Dean of Students in the Dean of Students Office and one of two parent liaisons at TAMU-CC. “This new program aims to prevent that outcome. We hope all Islander parents feel supported throughout their academic journey, especially during challenging times.”

Parenting students returning to TAMU-CC to finish a degree may qualify for funds to resolve prior balances, making it easier to re-enroll. The ICPS program also plans to expand its Emergency Student Aid Fund to include mini grants for items like textbooks, textbook access codes, testing and licensure fees, one-time rent assistance, childcare vouchers, and transportation help. Students are also connected to the university’s Care & Assistance case management services for ongoing support.

For Sarita Llamas ’27, a health administration major and mother of four who balances a full-time job as a CT technician at Bay Area Hospital while also adjunct teaching at Del Mar College, the program has been a beacon of hope.

“In 2022, my husband and I adopted four children out of foster care,” Llamas said. “I wanted to come back to school to open doors for my career. Balancing a job, school, and four little ones isn’t easy, so finding resources like this is invaluable.”

Llamas first learned about the program during the Parenting Student Resource Fair held on campus in January.

“The information about early class registration, financial aid, and programs like Parents’ Night Out was really helpful,” Llamas said. “These are things that can make a real difference. Programs like this show that TAMU-CC is trying to help.”

TAMU-CC is encouraging all Islander parenting students to complete a Pregnant and Parenting Self-Identification Form. Submitting this form allows for a coordinated university effort to help facilitate support for pregnant and parenting students. To learn more about parenting resources and to fill out the form, visit Resources for Pregnant & Parenting Students.