What Support Does Herzing University Offer Student Parents?

Balancing school, work and parenting is no small feat. Herzing University recognizes that student parents face unique challenges — and has built tangible support systems to help them succeed.

Campus-based support for student parents

Herzing has pursued grant funding at the campus level to meet the specific needs of local student communities.

At the Minneapolis campus, Herzing created the Building Family Foundations (BFF) Center — a family-friendly study and meeting space designed specifically for student parents who bring their children to campus. The BFF Center receives child-friendly books and materials through the Debra Fish Early Childhood Library at the Saint Paul Public Library. The center is made possible by the Student Parent Support Initiative from the State of Minnesota.

At the Tampa campus, Herzing has created the Little Herzies program through a grant award from the Paul Purcell "Kids Win!" Annual Baird Education Grant which supports childcare resources for student parents enrolled there.

Most recently, the Brookfield campus received a $10,000 grant from the Women and Girls Fund to provide childcare scholarships for student parents. The funding helps remove a critical barrier to enrollment by ensuring students have access to reliable childcare so they can stay enrolled, complete their programs and move into high-demand careers. This scholarship opportunity is available to a select number of student parents at the Brookfield campus.

Support for basic needs

Beyond childcare, Herzing offers a range of resources designed to help students manage the day-to-day realities of being a student parent.

• HU Cupboard: On-campus food pantries are available at no cost to students and their families. These pantries are designed to support students experiencing food insecurity so that basic needs never become a barrier to finishing a degree.
• HU Crisis Support Grant: Emergency funding of up to $500 per semester ($1,000 lifetime maximum per student) is available for unexpected financial hardship, such as a job loss, emergency medical expenses, or another unforeseen crisis.
• Student Resource Advocates: These are current Herzing students who provide peer support and connect fellow students to local community resources covering housing, food, clothing, transportation and childcare. We can also help find external scholarship opportunities for students.
• Minnesota Homebase Grant: Students enrolled at the Minneapolis campus may access financial support when facing housing insecurity or homelessness. The goal of the grant is to ensure students maintain secure housing so they remain enrolled in their programs. This grant is provided through the State of Minnesota.

Wellness and counseling

Parenting while pursuing a degree can take an emotional toll without the right resources and support. Herzing offers one-on-one wellness counseling, teletherapy services through Uwill, and on-demand wellness videos available 24/7 — all designed to support mental health and stress management throughout a student's academic journey.

A university suited for working adults and parents

The majority of Herzing students are adult learners — many of whom are parents. That reality shapes how the university approaches student support at every level. From campus-based resources to grant-funded programs, Herzing works to remove the barriers that can stand between student-parents and a degree.