LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM) – Attending college while caring for a child is certainly difficult. A state grant program is hoping to make it a little easier.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced $1.7 Million in grant funding through the Parent Pathways Grant Program to fund scholarships and programming for undergraduate students with children.

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Those grants are being distributed to 12 colleges and universities, including one in the Midstate.

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, located in Lancaster, was awarded $150,000.

“By addressing the significant burdens of parenting students, the Parent Pathways Grant Program will empower these learners and their families to chart their own course and succeed,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin.

The grant funding can be used to expand parent programming, resources, and supports or to implement parent programming, resources, and supports; for scholarships covering tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, childcare, etc.; and for the use of stipends/emergency funding up to a maximum amount as determined by the institution.

PDE says studies have shown that one in five undergrads balance the responsibilities of raising a child while pursuing higher education, and nearly half do not graduate.

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