The PA Department of Education awards funding for scholarships, parent navigators, and more
BETHLEHEM, PA – Northampton Community College (NCC) has been awarded a $150,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Parent Pathways Initiative from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to expand support services for parenting students and help them achieve educational and family success.
Running from June 2026 through June 2027, this funding will launch Pathways to Completion: A Two-Generation Initiative Expanding Services to Parenting Students & their Families, a comprehensive program designed to address the unique challenges parenting students face while pursuing their education.
At the center of the initiative is a new part-time Parent Navigator position housed within Student Services at NCC. The Parent Navigator will provide individualized case management, connect students to campus and community resources, coordinate workshops and programming, and help students navigate childcare scholarships and emergency assistance opportunities. Importantly, any parenting student at NCC will be able to access support through the Parent Navigator and the emergency aid fund, regardless of scholarship eligibility.
The emergency aid fund dedicated specifically to parenting students will help address unexpected financial hardships that could otherwise interrupt a student’s education. Whether facing transportation issues, sudden expenses, or other immediate challenges, parenting students will have access to targeted support designed to help them stay focused on completing their educational goals.
The largest portion of the funding will provide childcare assistance scholarships for parenting students with the greatest financial need. The scholarships will support childcare for 11 children at NCC Children’s Centers during the academic year, helping student parents remain enrolled, attend classes consistently, and continue progressing toward graduation while knowing their children are in a safe, supportive learning environment.
To qualify for the childcare scholarships, students must be Pennsylvania residents, maintain a minimum 2.8 GPA, be in their second year or nearing completion of a non-credit program, complete the FAFSA, demonstrate Pell eligibility, and exhaust all available gift aid resources.
The initiative moves beyond traditional advising models by embracing a coordinated, wraparound approach that supports the whole student and the whole family. By reducing barriers related to childcare, financial strain, and access to resources, Northampton Community College is creating a clearer pathway for parenting students to complete their education, transition into meaningful careers, and build lasting stability for themselves and their children.
Read more about the grant and initiative here.
About Northampton Community College
Founded in 1967, Northampton Community College (NCC) serves more than 20,000 students annually through degree, workforce training, and community education programs. Committed to access and student success, NCC provides innovative, high-quality learning experiences that prepare students to enter or advance in the workforce or transfer to four-year institutions. With an enduring commitment to the regional communities it serves, NCC remains a vital workforce pipeline and community partner. For more information or to apply, please visit northampton.edu. Follow NCC on LinkedIn, Instagram @NorthamptonCommCollege, TikTok @NorthamptonCC, and Facebook.
