As of July 1, 2025, Maryland’s Pregnant and Parenting Student Support Act requires all four-year public colleges and universities to implement comprehensive student parents support plans. The law aims to address the unique challenges faced by student parents, ensuring they have access to resources that promote academic success while balancing family responsibilities. Excluded from the mandate are the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies, University of Maryland Global Campus, and University of Baltimore.
Josia Klein, senior counsel at the National Women’s Law Center, emphasized the importance of student parents support. “They’re juggling a lot,” Klein said. “They’ve got schoolwork, academic responsibilities. Many are working, and they also have family responsibilities. But then there are a lot of other issues, including discrimination and stigma of schools not fully understanding those students’ rights.” The law mandates plans that include on- and off-campus support services, government resources, healthcare referral networks, and adoption information.
The student parents support plans are designed to tackle barriers like basic needs insecurity, which Klein noted is a significant obstacle to graduation. “This is really important,” she said, “because basic needs security is a real barrier for student parents in graduation and getting to that finish line.” By providing access to resources such as childcare, financial aid, and healthcare, Maryland’s public universities aim to help student parents complete their degrees.
According to the American Council on Education, 18% of U.S. undergraduate students are parents, with nearly 90% being adult learners returning to school. In Maryland, the student parents support initiative addresses these students’ needs, fostering an environment where they can thrive academically despite juggling multiple roles.
Under the new law, Maryland’s public four-year institutions must develop tailored student parents support plans by July 1, 2025. These plans will include referrals to government services, such as food assistance and housing support, and connections to healthcare providers for prenatal and pediatric care. Universities must also combat stigma and discrimination by educating staff about student parents’ rights, ensuring a more inclusive campus environment.
The student parents support mandate reflects Maryland’s commitment to equitable education. While the law does not apply to all public institutions, its implementation at major universities like the University of Maryland, College Park, and Towson University is expected to benefit thousands of students. Klein highlighted that these efforts could set a precedent for other states to follow.
Maryland’s student parents support law aligns with national efforts to support nontraditional students, who make up a growing share of college enrollment. The U.S. Department of Education notes that student parents often face higher dropout rates due to financial and logistical challenges. Maryland’s proactive approach to student parents support could improve graduation rates and economic outcomes for these students, contributing to a more inclusive higher education system.