dad with teenage daughter

Single Parents Program

Champlain's Single Parents Program has been offering a supportive atmosphere for single parents since 1987. We provide exceptional advocacy and support through workshops, resources, and services designed to help you reach your educational and professional goals.

Single Parents Program

Location

Perry Hall
251 S Willard Street
Burlington, VT 05401

Office Hours

Monday – Friday
9AM – 4:30PM

Contact Us

To ease the stress of going back to school.

Champlain College’s Single Parents Program provides the necessary extra support for students who are single parents.

For 36 years, Champlain has been providing support to those who need it most.

Your Donation in Action

“You gave me the opportunity to learn about myself, grow professionally, and finally work towards my dream.”

—Fexhrije Ilazi, Paralegal studies

a mom stands in a field with her children on either side of her

Social Support Network

Champlain College has a long standing history of wrap around support. With workshops and activities that are available to all students, we can foster a community of support among students in the Single Parents Program. These programs include monthly lunch socials, trick-or-treating on campus, and our annual holiday party and gift sponsorship program.

mom and child hold hands

Single Parents Scholarship

This scholarship is designed to ease tuition expenses for parenting students. If you are eligible for the Pell grant and receiving Vermont Grants through Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), Champlain will meet your expected family contribution of $0. Eligible parenting students are:

  • Seeking their first undergraduate degree
  • Vermont residents
  • Enrolled in an on-campus degree program
  • Unmarried and parenting at least 50% of the time
Contact Emily Merrill about the Single Parents Scholarship
I am fortunate enough to lead by example, to show my daughter that dreams can come true, goals are something to be set and achieved, and that hard work and dedication can greatly enhance our possibilities.
Social Work Student

What We Do

Champlain College offers the only specialized program for single-parenting students in Vermont. Committed staff will assist and support you in:

  • Getting comfortable with college life through a summer orientation workshop
  • Accessing a case manager on campus
  • Using on-campus resources like the Career Collaborative, the Counseling Center and academic coaching at the Smart Space

The program also provides:

  • Career counseling
  • Peer-to-peer advising
  • Educational seminars about financial aid, parenting, healthy relationships, and other relevant topics
  • Tuition assistance intended to fill the gap from traditional funding sources and the full cost of tuition
  • Special holiday and graduation celebrations to build and reinforce a sense of community
  • A Save-the-Day Emergency Fund

For more information about the Single Parents Program, call toll free: (800) 359-0728.

Services and resources to support you beyond the classroom

  • mom and child smiling
    On-Campus Support

    It’s not enough to you to class without providing a network of support and tools for academic success. That’s why Champlain offers a variety of different services including:

    • A Student Resources Coordinator to oversee your programming
    • Financial assistance for tuition
    • A summer orientation, with interactive workshops to help you navigate different services and resources
    • Free in-person and online tutoring
    • Free mental health counseling
    • Free career advising, including help writing your resume and finding a job
    • Access to full-time, part-time, seasonal, temporary, and work study jobs
    • Family friendly accommodations like lactation rooms
  • mom with teenage sons on either side
    Off-Campus Support

    Champlain works with a number of non-profit partner organizations and public services.

    • Post Secondary Education (PSE) Program: We work closely with our local division to enroll all interested Single Parent Scholars in the PSE program, which provides a variety of assistance for student parents with low or no income. Please contact studentresources@champlain.edu for help with applying.
    • 3SquaresVT: This monthly benefit helps families put three meals on the table every day.
    • Community College of Vermont. Many students enter the Single Parents Program through the 2 + 2 program at Community College of Vermont (CCV). You can earn an Associate’s Degree at CCV and then apply to transfer to Champlain College through our seamless transition agreement.
    • ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. ECHO donates free annual memberships for Single Parents Program participants, providing opportunity for much needed fun for the whole family
Being a single parent and attending school full time can be challenging. Without the support I received, facing these obstacles alone could easily become too overwhelming to succeed academically.
Business Student

Single Parents Program FAQ

Single Parents Program

Meet Our People

Emily Merrill
Student Resources and Single Parents Program Coordinator
Office of Student Support Resources and Student Affairs, Diversity, & Inclusion