Program Overview

Each of our programs is thoughtfully designed to meet pressing needs of single-parent families as the parents pursue higher education. While some programs are limited to select applicants, other programs are available to single-parent families throughout our service regions. To find out which services are offered in your area, read more about each program below. 

Cohorts

Stable Housing for Academic Success · Career Readiness

  • Our cohort program provides multi-year, holistic support to single-parent students pursuing college degrees. In partnership with community colleges, we offer a structured pathway that includes academic and personal coaching, financial support, and family-focused programming. This model is built for long-term impact, helping students stay on track academically while they navigate the demands of parenting and create stable, thriving futures for their families. 

  • Single-parent students who attend (and ultimately transfer from) our partner institutions:

    • Long Beach City College

    • Los Angeles Pierce College

    • Los Angeles Valley College

    • Minneapolis College

    • Dunwoody College of Technology

    • American River College

  • Applications open each summer; space is limited

Emergency Grants

  • We award single-parent students with up to $1,000 in emergency funding to address one-time unexpected emergencies that could derail school enrollment and cause unexpected withdrawal. 

  • Emergency grants are available to RTB cohort members, residents of The Huddle on 5th, and single parents attending American River College.

    Single parents who live, work, and/or attend college in the following counties may apply: 

    • California: Los Angeles County, Orange County, Sacramento County (ARC students only)

    • Minnesota: Hennepin County, Dakota County, Ramsey County

  • We are currently accepting applications for emergency grants. Applications are typically open throughout the year until funds run out.

Affordable Housing

  • The Huddle on 5th is an affordable housing program in West Sacramento, created specifically for single-parent students and their children. In addition to income-based housing, this program offers wraparound support services to help families thrive. The Huddle on 5th is the first program of its kind in California, designed to ensure that single parents have the resources and stability needed to reach their full potential.

    This model is built for long-term impact, helping students stay on track academically while they navigate the demands of parenting and create stable, thriving futures for their families. 

  • Single parents who live, work, or attend school in Yolo County, California, and their children.

  • While we’re not accepting applications for The Huddle on 5th at this time, we encourage you to join our waitlist by reaching out to info@raisethebarr.org.

  • Interested in partnering with us or replicating this program in your area? Contact us to learn more!

Little Scholars Enrichment Fund

  • Our Little Scholars Enrichment Fund supports the extra-curricular pursuits of children of single-parent students. RTB cohort members and residents of The Huddle on 5th may apply for up to $750 per calendar year for each of their children. Non-cohort families can apply for up to $350 per child. 

  • Single parents who live, work, and/or attend college in the following counties: 

    • CA: Yolo County (Including residents at the Huddle on 5th)

    • MN: Hennepin County, Dakota County, Ramsey County

  • Applications are open year-round, while funds last. We are currently accepting applications.

  • Interested in bringing this program to Los Angeles? Contact us to learn more.

Emergency Housing Assistance

  • The Emergency Housing Assistance Fund supports single-parent undergraduate students with up to $1,000 to support housing-related emergencies.

  • Single parents currently attending an undergraduate program or trade/tech program in Yolo County or Sacramento County, California.

  • We’re currently accepting applications for Emergency Housing Assistance.

  • Our workshops meet single-parent students where they are, offering practical tools, meaningful connection, and pathways to long-term success. While parents gain tools for financial stability, career development, and time management, children participate in age-appropriate activities that foster confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging. Together, families build community and take meaningful steps toward a future where both generations can thrive. 

  • All RTB cohort members (single-parent students who attend or transfer from our partner institutions) are eligible to attend workshops.

    Select workshops are open to:

    • Single-parent students on partner campuses

    • Single-parent students in the region

Workshops

Office Hours

  • Coordinators are on campus once a week to support single-parent students at their respective colleges. The coordinators offer guidance regarding resource navigation, emergency grant referrals, general information about Raise The Barr, and more.

  • Available at our cohort partner institutions:

    • Long Beach City College

    • Los Angeles Pierce College

    • Los Angeles Valley College

    • American River College (coming soon!)

    • Minneapolis College

    • Dunwoody College of Technology

  • Throughout the fall and spring semesters.

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