According to the Lumina Foundation, one in five college students are parents. In fact, today's college population includes more than 1.5 million single mothers alone.
Single parents are no strangers to overcoming obstacles. Many are armed with an unmatchable sense of determination and resilience. But that doesn't mean accomplishing your goals is easy. Most single parents going back to school learn that support, flexibility, and adaptability are key as they progress through their degree programs.
And while your path toward earning a degree may look a bit different than some of your peers', it's absolutely possible to reach your destination. No one demonstrates that more clearly than Bellevue University student Carly Bentley, who has overcome the obstacles brought on by single parenthood to accomplish her higher education goals.
The reality of being a single parent in college
Earning a higher education credential is becoming increasingly necessary for achieving family economic security. But just eight percent of single mothers are able to earn their degrees within six years of enrolling in a higher education program. These students are often older than their peers without children, and they typically work full- or part-time jobs while pursuing their studies.
Because student parents must juggle a number of different responsibilities, it often feels impossible to push past the hurdles that stand in the way of completing a degree program. But studies have shown that a parent's postsecondary attainment can actually increase their children's likelihood of attending college themselves.
Many researchers believe that the motivation to positively impact the lives of their children — financially, educationally, and beyond — is what drives many single parents to persevere and achieve their goals. In fact, student parents tend to have better grades than other students, as they're often driven to advance their education by a desire to improve their children's lives.
This single mom and soon-to-be Bellevue University graduate understands that motivation all too well.
Graduate student proves it's never too late to finish what you started
Carly Bentley began her journey with Bellevue University in 2013 when she decided to go back to school to earn a master's degree seven years after finishing her undergraduate degree. She originally started pursuing a graduate degree because she had a deep desire to further her education and career.
"I had always planned on getting one, but I wasn't sure what I would get it in," Bentley continues. "I needed those seven years to figure out what I was best at in the workplace — communication and managing various people and projects seemed to be my strengths."
She began pursuing her Master's in Healthcare Administration, as she was actively working in healthcare at the time. But Bentley quickly realized that she'd benefit from earning a broader, management-based degree. "I settled on the Master of Science in Management because it was more of a behavior-based degree and fit well with my bachelor's in communications."
While her journey back to the classroom was one she had long planned for, a surprising life change caused Bentley to put her degree on hold. "In 2015, I found out. I was unexpectedly pregnant with my first child. I also got married that same year," she recounts.
Bentley continued with her classes until shortly after her daughter's birth, when being a full-time working mom brought her studies to an abrupt halt. "I spent the next year focusing on raising my daughter," she says. "And then, close to her second birthday, I went through a long divorce process."
She was eager to go back to school at this time, but financial restraints held her back. When the global pandemic hit in 2020, Bentley was forced to move closer to her family, which turned out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise. "Having that support allowed me to start back up on my journey to earn a master's," she says.
As a single parent going back to school, Bentley has continued to work full time, caring for her daughter in the evenings and chipping away at her homework whenever she can squeeze it in. This balancing act has been challenging, but she understands that the hard work is worth it.
"I know I am doing better for myself and for my daughter. I know that my degree will elevate me to the position, career, and education level I want to be at," she shares. "Having her see that I do homework like her and knowing that her mom is working hard to manifest the type of future I want for both of us is a reward in and of itself."
Supportive, flexible programs can make all the difference
The rigor of pursuing a graduate degree while working full time and remaining dedicated as a parent is not for the faint of heart. Bentley saw firsthand how challenging it can be to operate with such a full plate.
"Staying up late to do homework only to get up early and do it all again is exhausting," she admits. "But I know that now I am so close to being done, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel."
Bentley acknowledges it's a journey that wouldn't have been possible without the resources and advanced online learning capabilities of Bellevue University. "Bellevue has been amazing," she remarks. Not only did she receive tuition discounts and tuition delays, but her employer was able to partner with Bellevue University to offer her a corporate discount as she pursued her degree. Those and other benefits helped keep her on the path to finishing her degree.
"There were many helpful options, such as renting textbooks and being able to complete my degree 100 percent online," Bentley explains. "I could not have done this otherwise. As a single parent who works full time, I have the flexibility to do homework on my time and terms. The flexibility offered at Bellevue University is what first attracted me to the school, and it has held true all these years later."
When asked what other single parents going to college can learn from her experiences, Bentley offers this:
"My advice would be to never give up. I know that's what everyone says, but I honestly never gave up, and now I am almost upon my last classes, and then the most rewarding ending: graduation!"
Finish writing your own success story
As Bentley nears the end of her journey and prepares to graduate with her master's degree, she encourages other single parents going back to college to persevere and stay the course. "Your issues may seem insurmountable, but there will be one day when you wake up and realize that you can do this — and that's when you go forward and change your life to what you need it to be," she says.
With her sense of determination, the support and flexibility of Bellevue University, and the motivation to set a positive example for her daughter, Carly Bentley has been able to overcome the challenges of being a single parent in college and achieve her educational goals.
For more information on the ways Bellevue University supports adult students, check out our article "5 Reasons Adult Learners Thrive at Bellevue University."
