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College Success for Young Moms
in Chicago & Western Suburbs

Read the Chapin Hall Report

What We’ve Learned

Check out our webinar “Persist & Succeed – Insights on New Moms’ College Success Pilot.” Explore the outcomes of New Moms’ three-year pilot program designed to support young mothers by addressing barriers to college completion, including monthly cash support.

In this virtual discussion on June 5, 2025, panelists shared what worked, what didn’t, and considered together what this means for helping student parents succeed.

Driving Success

Being a mom shouldn’t require abandoning academic dreams.

One in five college students in the United States are parents, and often schools cannot fully provide the kind of support young parents need to ensure success. Currently, only 8% of single-mother students in Illinois complete an Associate degree within six years, compared to 60% of students without children, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. New Moms’ College Success program was created to address this disparity. Through monthly stipends, childcare support, and individual and group coaching, New Moms provides a resource for young moms looking to graduate from postsecondary education and find work in family-sustaining, living-wage jobs.

“We believe intentional investment in the postsecondary persistence and achievement of young moms will have lasting positive influences on families and communities,”

-Gabrielle Caverl-McNeal, Senior Director of Workforce Development at New Moms.

Pilot Program Partners

This is why the ECMC Foundation, which funded a significant portion of the pilot program, made this investment in postsecondary persistence, anticipating that it would lead to more mothers of color graduating from college and securing family-sustaining, living-wage jobs. This pilot program was also funded in part by the State of Illinois.

Together with the City Colleges of Chicago, New Moms piloted a three-year program, with the goal of increasing degree attainment for young moms in Chicagoland. The results of this project have important implications for the national conversation on how to support young moms pursuing degrees and will be evaluated by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.

Become an Employer Partner

“We are grateful to partner with New Moms in the mission to increase entry to college. The new College Success program is a powerful example of our shared investment in supporting young parents as they pursue their education.” – Juan Salgado, Chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago

The pilot recruited 25 Chicagoland young moms pursuing a long-term academic certificate or Associate degree. Participants worked with coaches to select the accredited institution of whose schedules, course offerings, and credentialing aligned with their goals. Most selected City Colleges of Chicago, a partner of New Moms. During the program, each participant received monthly support, including:

  • A $500 monthly stipend while enrolled in the program
  • Individual and group coaching
  • Transportation and childcare support

Young moms remained enrolled in the program for up to 3 years, or until they complete their degree, with additional follow-up support offered post-graduation.