
Students with Dependent Children
Parenting Students
Nearly 1.6 million parenting students are enrolled at U.S. community and technical colleges — about half caring for a child under six. Nationally, 22% of community college students balance school with raising a dependent child.
Raising children while pursuing a degree takes remarkable effort and resilience. Yet higher education has historically fallen short in addressing the unique challenges parenting students face.
If you are a parent with dependent children, you may qualify for priority registration and additional resources. Learn about support services below.
Foothill College supports parenting students, in accordance with the Education Code, by offering priority registration for students who are parents with dependendent under 18 years old.
Priority Registration for eligible Student-Parents is available. For questions or more information contact Admissions and Records.
The CalFresh Program (formerly known as Food Stamps) helps low-income households increase their food-buying power to meet their household's nutritional needs.
CalFresh benefits issued through Electronic Benefit Transfer, also known as EBT card, can be used in grocery stores and participating Farmers Markets. CalFresh is based on income and is open to children, U.S. citizens, and certain non-citizens.
You can also apply at getcalfresh.org.
If you work and have low income, you may qualify for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC). This credit gives you a refund or reduces your tax owed.
If you qualify for CalEITC and have a child under the age of 6, you may also qualify for the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC). Together, these state credits can put hundreds or even thousands of dollars in your pocket. Filing your state tax return is required to claim both of these credits.
Do you have a child under the age of 6?
If you qualify for CalEITC (see above) and have a child under the age of 6, you may also qualify for a refundable tax credit of up to $1000 through the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC).
If you qualify, you may see a reduced tax bill or a bigger refund.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) promotes the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding people, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care.
You may qualify if you receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF) or CalFresh (SNAP) benefits. WIC welcomes military families, migrant families, fathers, foster parents and legal guardians with eligible children. Participating in the WIC program does not affect the immigration status of anyone currently in the U.S.
See if you qualify by using the WIC eligibility assessment tool.
Set up an appointment at a WIC local agency near you. Visit the website for WIC families to find a WIC local agency site near you.
Helpful Resources for Student-Parents at Foothill
The following resources are availble for student-parents at Foothill College.
- Emergency grants/loans.
- Grants and scholarships for student parents.
- For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office.
- Are you a single parent? You may be eligible for CARE (Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education), which is part of our EOPS program. Learn about EOPS/CARE.
Are you stressed and struggling to secure the daily essentials of food and housing? At Foothill, we care about your health and wellness and are here to help.
We offer the following services:
- Food Pantry.
- Help with Housing Insecurity.
- Mental Health & Wellness Center.
- Transportation — Pick up your VTA Transit SmartPass.
- Health Services — Free and low-cost medical services.
- Lactation Room - Our Student Health Center provides a private lactation room where students who are nursing can pump or nurse their baby.
- Menstrual Products — See locations on campus to access for free supplies.
- Dental Hygiene — Our onsite campus clinic provides free cleanings.
Off-Campus Resources
In addition to the Owl's Nest and various grants and services here at Foothill, the community at large is also rich with resources to help you succeeed.
- Children, Families & Early Childhood Care – The SCC R&R Program offers information, options about childcare, and work based on referrals. There are multiple methods to obtain a list of information based on your needs.
- The phone number to call and obtain information is (669) 212-5437, you can also send an email to childcarescc@sccoe.org. To access other childcare providers please visit Children, Families, & Early Childhood Care which will provide you with the nearest providers based on your zip code.
- Use this Winnie.com and find a childcare provider that currently has openings. Each center will have a contact number to obtain more information and begin the enrollment process.
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
- Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County offers various locations for kids and their families to obtain prepared meals (hot or cold). They have various locations and times throughout the week. Please access the website to see the various locations and times food is served.
- The County of Santa Clara offers various Summer Camps and Enrichment Activities. Documentation will need to be provided to prove enrollment and that you meet the eligibility criteria. You are eligible to enroll if you are between the ages of 0-18 years old and meet one of the following conditions: if you are adopted, part of foster care, kinship care, Low Income, Probation, or Receiving DFCS Services.
- KidzToPros is a website that allows you to find available summer camps throughout the Bay Area.