AKRON, Ohio — It’s Susan Juma’s second year living in the United States and attending the University of Akron, but it’s her first semester being a parenting student.
“I came last year alone. I left my kids back home. Home is Kuwait,” Juma said. “And I came to pursue my degree, and this year, I decided to bring my children in summer.”
The 35-year-old is pursuing a nursing degree at the university while taking care of her two middle schoolers and her 4-year-old son, Elijah. Juma is one of several students using the new Childcare Assistance Program, an initiative launched by the University of Akron to provide low-cost childcare at five Akron Area YMCA locations near campus. The program began this fall with the support of Women in Philanthropy, which donated $100,000 to subsidize childcare expenses for parenting students.
After confronting the rising cost of childcare and relocating expenses, Juma said the program has made juggling her two worlds much easier and more affordable.
“It is amazing, and it's a miracle because coming to America as an international student, it's so expensive,” Juma said. “But when you get this kind of aid, scholarship, financial assistance – it's something I'm so grateful for.”
Students can apply for the program by completing the ZipAssist referral form, which connects them with staff who assess each student’s needs. Alison Doehring, senior director of ZipAssist, said the school’s financial aid may even leave some students with zero out-of-pocket costs.
“With the initial funding … we have enough funds to help about 50 students at that 3000 threshold, but we trust and believe that we're going to be able to serve many more than that because we have students who aren't going to need, or even hit, that $3,000 threshold because each of their family situations is unique and different,” she said.
Amanda Howard is the district executive director of early care and education at the Akron Area YMCA. She said parenting students can get additional financial assistance by applying to scholarships offered by the nonprofit.
“So far, we have six kids enrolled, but we’re receiving an enormous amount of interest, and we can serve up to 50 children,” Howard said.
The goal is to keep students in school, said John Messina, who is the UA vice president for student affairs.
“Our hope is that we're able to grow the program,” he said. “I think if we can demonstrate a need, we can find ways to achieve additional resources to help our parenting students achieve the degrees they are seeking.”
Juma said the program allows her and other parenting students to aim high and work toward accomplishing their dreams.
“I want to become a nurse. I want to be in the health care industry,” Suma said. "…I want to be with the children. Pediatrics, labor, childbirth. Somewhere centered around childcare and women who are in the labor.”
Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled John Messina's name. This error has been corrected. (Nov. 10, 2024)