Chapin Hall

Supporting Student Parents: Evaluating the New Moms College Success Program Pilot

Young mothers who pursue college degrees face systemic barriers that can hinder their educational success. The New Moms College Success Program was designed to help young mothers in Chicago persist in postsecondary education by providing individual coaching, financial assistance, and peer support. Chapin Hall partnered with New Moms to evaluate this pilot program and understand its implementation, benefits, and challenges. This final evaluation report highlights how tailored, flexible supports can potentially improve educational outcomes for student parents.

What We Did

Chapin Hall conducted a 2-year evaluation of the College Success Program Pilot, centering participant experiences to assess how the program supports young mothers pursuing an associate’s degree or long-term academic certificate. Our methods included:

• Interviews with program participants, staff, and college faculty
• Observations of peer workshops
• Analysis of program participation and engagement data

This qualitative approach provided rich insights into how financial support, one-on-one coaching, and peer workshops influenced participants’ persistence in college.

What We Found

• Coaching strengthened persistence – Participants deeply valued their coach’s support, describing the relationship as motivational and essential to navigating academic and personal challenges.
• Financial support eased economic barriers – The $500 monthly stipend and transportation assistance helped participants cover necessities, reduce stress, and stay enrolled in the program.
• Peer workshops fostered community – Connecting with other young mothers in workshops provided emotional support, reduced isolation, and built confidence.
• Barriers remained – Time poverty, financial constraints, and institutional roadblocks at colleges still challenged participants’ academic progress. Some participants also struggled with program requirements, workshop relevance, and scheduling constraints.

What It Means

• Continue to prioritize individual coaching – Personalized, empathetic support is a key driver of participant success.
• Ensure financial supports are accessible and impactful – Stipends help participants persist in the program while balancing family and work responsibilities.
• Expand workshop flexibility and content relevance – Participants benefit most from workshops on financial planning, career pathways, and academic navigation. Hybrid options could improve accessibility.
• Strengthen communication on program eligibility and requirements – Clearer guidance on participation criteria and academic stipulations can help ensure consistency.
• Further evaluation is needed – Future research should track long-term outcomes such as degree attainment, career progression, and economic stability.

By investing in targeted, flexible supports, programs like the New Moms College Success Program can help young mothers achieve their educational goals while caring for their families.

Read the report