Graduate Student Parent Success Scholarship
Pursuing a graduate degree is demanding, raising children is expensive, but graduate students should not have to put their personal lives on hold while earning their degree. The Graduate Student Parent Success Scholarship serves to relieve some of the financial burden of child care expenses, facilitating degree progress of graduate students who are raising families. When our Graduate School alumni reflect on their student experience, we want them to remember this time of their life not only as time for building careers, but a time when they built happy lives. This grant is supported by the Graduate School’s Accelerator and Education Enhancement funds. Scholarships are up to $1,000.
The spring 2026 application has closed. Applications will be accepted for the Fall 2026 semester in September.
Eligibility
This scholarship is for current K-State graduate students. Applicants must be enrolled in graduate credit for a master's or doctoral program at Kansas State University in the semester they apply for the scholarship.
Funding priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received a Graduate Student Parent Success Scholarship (or the formerly named "Graduate Student Child Care Scholarship").
Application process
The spring 2026 application has closed. Applications will be accepted for the Fall 2026 semester in September.
The online application will ask you to provide information about your:
- student status
- employment status
- child care needs and expenses
You will also be asked to provide a brief statement explaining how this scholarship will support you.
Applications are accepted each fall and spring semester. Scholarship funds are disbursed in the same semester of application.
Additional resources for students raising families
We know that while the Graduate Student Parent Success Scholarship provides some support to graduate students who are parents, it is unlikely to fully address students' needs. We have compiled a list of additional resources available at K-State (some are accessible to both on-campus and online students) and in the Manhattan community.
Cat's Cupboard – K-State Food Pantry
Cats' Cupboard is organized as a consumer choice model, so you may come in and shop. All we ask is that you take what you need and use what you take. The only qualification for you to take advantage of the Cats' Cupboard is that you be a current K-State student, staff or faculty member on the Manhattan campus.
More resources
Many more resources to support food security are listed on the Cat’s Cupboard website.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
K-State Student Financial Assistance
Explore the numerous types of financial support available to K-State students.
Emergency Student Aid
This aid is available to support students who encounter unexpected, temporary financial obstacles resulting from an emergency or crisis situation.
Powercat Financial
Trained peer counselors provide FREE financial counseling and presentations for current K-State students. Support is available to BOTH on-campus and online students. You can also find several self-service resources on the Powercat Financial website.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Riley County Maternal and Child Health
Support for pregnant women, families, and their babies through a variety of programs and services.
Resources from K-State Research and Extension
K-State Research and Extension provides strong educational programming in the area of health. We are guided by a vision of the work done nationally by the Cooperative Extension System.
CHILD CARE SUPPORT
Manhattan, Kansas Licensed Daycares with Openings Facebook group
This group was created for parents and Licensed day care providers to communicate openings and needed licensed child care.
ChildCare Aware of Kansas
Child Care Aware® of Kansas connects everyone with a stake in child care — parents, child care providers, businesses, local and state leaders, and community members — to the information and ideas they need to take action. ChildCare Aware offers a database to help families find child care that meets your needs. They also have many other resources and assistance programs to support families in the context of child care, financial needs, nutrition, child development, and more.
CLOTHING FOR CHILDREN
USD 383 Fit Closet
The USD 383 FIT Closet & Clothing Exchange assists McKinney-Vento qualified/FIT students enrolled in the USD 383 school district by providing what they need to successfully integrate into school as well as find success in their educational journey. This assistance comes in the form of (but is not limited to) school supplies, school-appropriate clothing, and personal hygiene items. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re also able to serve students who qualify for free/reduced fees (and their immediate family - parents and siblings who are not yet school age).
Little Britches Children’s Consignment Sales
This is a twice yearly consignment sale event specializing in infant, children, and maternity items in Manhattan, Kansas, since 2003. Whether you are in need of baby gear or hoping to unload items your tween is done with, we hope to see you at the sale!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Resources for family finances
Contact information
Direct questions about the Student Parent Success Scholarship to Dr. Megan Miller (mmmiller@ksu.edu), Graduate School assistant director of student success.