Parent Pathways is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Education. Parent Pathways is a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education that funds institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania to support parenting students pursuing postsecondary credentials. Funded by Governor Shapiro's $1.

Pennsylvania Parent Pathways Initiative | Department of Education | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ​​Pennsylvania Parent Pathways Initiative Studies indicate that one in five undergraduate college students is balancing the responsibilities of raising children while pursuing a postsecondary education and almost half of these students do not earn a degree.

Parenting students bear significant burdens and need additional support to navigate through their academic program successfully. In December 2022, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services released a policy report (PDF) following consultations with parenting students, postsecondary institution staff, subject matter experts, various state agencies, and community leaders.

The Parent Pathways Learning Network (PPLN) concentrated on addressing the necessary support for food, childcare, housing, and financial aid. The res​​u​lts underscored the importance of integrating the firsthand experiences of parenting students into statewide policymaking. Governor Shapiro, in support of these findings, allocated $1.

61 million in his 2023-2024 budget to support these students. The Parent Pathways Grant provides funding to institutions to directly support the persistence of parenting students in the form of tuition assistance, emergency funding, and wrap-around service supports.

For the purposes of this grant, "institution" shall include postsecondary institutions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with authorization to award an associate degree or higher academic degree, as defined in section 2001-J of the Public-School Code of 1949, as amended (24 P. S. §20-2001-J) and private licensed schools, as defined in the Act of December 15, 1986 (P.

L. 1585, NO. 174). Only one proposal will be accepted from each institution.

Applicants may not apply as a consortium. Only the main campus may apply, and funds can be disseminated to branches as the institution deems appropriate if awarded. Grant applications will be submitted through the eGrants system.

For access to the eGrants system and the related grant opportunities, prospective applicants must complete the eGrants Request Form. Please note that the person completing the grant application must have signatory authority to negotiate grants and contracts for the institution and be able to upload documentation into the eGrants system.

Institutions with eSign ability in eGrants will be able to utilize this feature to complete the application.

2026 Parent Pathways Grant Winners 2025 Parent Pathways Grant Winners 2024 Parent Pathways Grant Winners 2026-2027 Parent Pathways Initiative Grant Request for Application (PDF) 2026-2027 Parent Pathways Initiative Grant Application Template (PDF) Frequently Asked Questions Can grant funding be used to support students in non-credit, workforce programs. These are generally short-term (1 year or less) workforce development programs.

​Yes, funding can be used for non-credit programs. ​<br></p>"}}"> ​Yes, funding can be used for non-credit programs. ​ Will it be an issue if these students do not qualify for federal financial aid?

​Students must complete a FAFSA to be eligible for grant funds. ​<br></p>"}}"> ​Students must complete a FAFSA to be eligible for grant funds. ​ Will the budget cover the cost of painting and carpeting a designated space for parent students and their children to use on campus?

​Yes, under technical assistance category. ​<br></p>"}}"> ​Yes, under technical assistance category. ​ What type of data are you looking for?

Are you looking for reports from surveys (like CCSSE/#RealCollege Survey) or aggregates of program-level data for parenting services already taking place? ​If there is an existing parenting program, the institution should upload any data or outcomes to show success or need for improvement. Data should also be specific to the institution.

<br></p>"}}"> ​If there is an existing parenting program, the institution should upload any data or outcomes to show success or need for improvement. Data should also be specific to the institution. Grant application states that priority should be given to “senior students”.

Is “senior” referring to older adults caring for children, like their grandchildren or students in their senior year? ​Students in their senior year or in their final year or semester of program completion. <br>\r\n</p>\r\n"}}"> ​Students in their senior year or in their final year or semester of program completion.

Question 15 asks “Number of Parenting Students Living on Campus (if applicable)” and we would like to clarify if that is asking for the number of parenting students specifically living on campus, or enrolled in our institution as a whole? ​We are looking for the number of students who are residential students. This is for data collection and does not preclude nonresidential students to receive grant funding.

<br></p>"}}"> ​We are looking for the number of students who are residential students. This is for data collection and does not preclude nonresidential students to receive grant funding. Can program funding be used to pay for licensure preparation courses?

​Any costs related to completion of the program are eligible. <br></p>"}}"> ​Any costs related to completion of the program are eligible. Can we apply for all three program components?

​Yes, all three program components can be applied for; however, the total amount an institution can request is $150,000. <br></p>"}}"> ​Yes, all three program components can be applied for; however, the total amount an institution can request is $150,000. Would technology be an allowable expenditure to purchase laptops and software to be used as a loaner program for parenting students?

​Yes, as long as the purchase clearly identifies it is for parenting students. ​<br></p>"}}"> ​Yes, as long as the purchase clearly identifies it is for parenting students. ​ Is it allowable to pay off a charge that has been previously accrued prior to receiving the grant funding?

​The funds can be used for tuition or past due balances; however, it must be within the grant period. <br>\r\n</p>\r\n"}}"> ​The funds can be used for tuition or past due balances; however, it must be within the grant period. Are graduate students who are parenting children eligible for services and aid through this grant?

​No-undergraduate only. <br></p>"}}"> Do students have to be full-time to be eligible? Are students enrolled at another campus location or online eligible?

Are we permitted to charge F&A, and if so, what is the allowable rate? ​Yes-allowable rate is 25% for facilities and 5% for administrative, with the exception of salaries for support staff. <br></p>"}}"> ​Yes-allowable rate is 25% for facilities and 5% for administrative, with the exception of salaries for support staff.

Can grant funds be used to pay monetary incentives to parenting students to complete surveys? If we propose to hire staff to provide wrap-around services, are they limited to only serving parenting students? ​No. Grant funds can be used support this position for parenting and non-parenting students.

Job description should be specific to supporting parenting students-but will not preclude non-parenting students, who may also be involved in the program. <br></p>"}}"> ​No. Grant funds can be used support this position for parenting and non-parenting students. Job description should be specific to supporting parenting students-but will not preclude non-parenting students, who may also be involved in the program.

Due to some changes in the FAFSA form, we can no longer tell if students are parents. How are other schools verifying that participants are parents? Institutions can use various methods of documentation to determine if a student is parenting.

It is recommended that one of the following be used: Recent tax documents listing dependents, birth certificate, or other legal forms outlining dependents. </p>\r\n"}}"> Institutions can use various methods of documentation to determine if a student is parenting. It is recommended that one of the following be used: Recent tax documents listing dependents, birth certificate, or other legal forms outlining dependents.

Are we able to pay a portion of direct staff salaries with grant funds? When reviewing the materials there is conflicting information as to whether we can use the funds for salaries or just stipends? Yes.

Funds may be used to support the salary of staff who support parenting students (i.e. parent navigators). </p>\r\n"}}"> Yes. Funds may be used to support the salary of staff who support parenting students (i.e. parent navigators).

Additionally, is there an option to use the funds to send our existing staff to trainings to further their education on these areas? Yes. Training should be consistent with the expansion and improvement of established parenting programs or the implementation of a new parenting program.

</p>\r\n"}}"> Yes. Training should be consistent with the expansion and improvement of established parenting programs or the implementation of a new parenting program. Under technical assistance/parent services would we be able to use funds towards renovation costs?

For example, new carpet, paint, furniture, 3rd party contractors for renovations to update a pre-existing space, technology needs. Yes, if the renovations directly impact services provided to parenting students. The proposal narrative and supporting documentation should list exactly how the space is used and occupied by parenting students and dependents.

</p>\r\n"}}"> Yes, if the renovations directly impact services provided to parenting students. The proposal narrative and supporting documentation should list exactly how the space is used and occupied by parenting students and dependents. Our institution plans to apply for the Parent Pathways Grant Program and has a question about the target population for this grant.

As a two-year community college, would the grant be limited to supporting second-year students? Alternatively, since we serve a diverse student body that includes first-time enrollees, returning students, and individuals at various stages of their educational journey, could the grant be applied to support any of our students?

No. Priority should be given to senior or students near credential completion, but funding can also be used to support all parenting learners. </p>\r\n"}}"> No. Priority should be given to senior or students near credential completion, but funding can also be used to support all parenting learners. We are not physically located in Pennsylvania but we offer dual credit classes in PA.

Are we eligible to apply for the grant? Is there a minimum number of students that we are required to serve? Is there a maximum amount of funding that can be allocated per parenting student?

Is there a maximum level of scholarship funding that can be awarded per student? Scholarships cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance and should be last dollar award. </p>\r\n"}}"> Scholarships cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance and should be last dollar award.

If we are including salary support for staff, are we required to categorize them as “parent navigators” or can we use our own terms for these positions? You may use your own term for the position title, but it should be explicit in their job description that they serve in a role supporting parenting students.

</p>\r\n"}}"> You may use your own term for the position title, but it should be explicit in their job description that they serve in a role supporting parenting students. Are we allowed to offer students funding to support their child care expenses? Yes.

</p>\r\n<p><b>If so, is there a maximum amount per student? </b> No.</p>\r\n"}}"> If so, is there a maximum amount per student? No. If we are providing support for child care expenses, are these only limited to child care provided on campus?

Are we allowed to provide students with funding for transportation costs (e.g., gasoline, tolls, etc.)? Are we allowed to use grant funds to support the cost of uniforms for students? Are we allowed to use grant funds to support the cost of required health screenings, immunizations, and/or physical exams?

Are we allowed to use the grant funds to purchase books to lend to students who cannot afford their own? Are we allowed to use grant funds to purchase meal vouchers for students who may be food insecure? The FAQs posted online indicated that grant funds could be used to support technology hardware and software that can be lent to students.

Can we purchase laptops and docking stations for a lending library? If so, are these costs to be allocated under the parent services category? The FAQs posted online referenced a maximum amount of $5,000 for emergency funding.

Is this per student or for the entire grant program? For the entire grant program. No. The $5000 Emergency funding maximum has been removed from the 2026 Parent Pathway Grant program, however, funds may not exceed Cost of Attendance.

<b></b></p>\r\n"}}"> No. The $5000 Emergency funding maximum has been removed from the 2026 Parent Pathway Grant program, however, funds may not exceed Cost of Attendance. I read that the grant is for higher education. As a commercial driver’s school, am I eligible to apply?

Yes. Private licensed schools are eligible to apply. Students must have completed a FAFSA to be eligible to receive services through this grant program.

<b></b></p>\r\n"}}"> Yes. Private licensed schools are eligible to apply. Students must have completed a FAFSA to be eligible to receive services through this grant program.