Correction: Courtney Phillips' major should have been identified as hospitality business, not nursing.
Changing diapers after class or work is not something most college students can relate to, but for MSU nursing senior and single parent Courtney Phillips, it's a daily ritual.
As Halloween approaches, Phillips' 16-month-old son Noah, dressed in navy blue pants and a teal blue Beatles shirt, sits on his mom's lap with a big smile across his face as Phillips does all the work carving the pumpkin.
Phillips said Tuesdays and Thursdays can be her busiest days, with classes from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and there are times when she feels overwhelmed.
"It can be chaotic," Phillips said. "Balancing school, managing a house and him all the time can be very stressful. He just runs around and drives me crazy."
But a 1-year-old MSU grant aimed at alleviating the financial burdens of child care just got a boost in funding — from $40,000 to $200,000 — which allows for more money to be given out to students.
Fifty parents could receive up to $1,000 in funds from the MSU Child Care Grant, which provides money for parents who are enrolled at the university, after they have already applied for financial aid. The money for the grant comes from joint appropriations in Student Services, the Office of the Provost and the Finance and Operations departments.
Forty students received funds last year, and the program is striving for 75 parents in the future.
Phillips said she got the grant last year, and it is wasn't that much help.
"I received the grant last year, and the money only lasted up to around two and half weeks worth of child care," Phillips said. "I did not even bother applying this year because of all the paperwork that's involved."
But single parent and physiology and linguistics senior Melissa Alsobrooks said the grant was helpful to her.
"I received $1,000 this year to pay for day care," she said. "This money took a big strain off of my hectic schedule."
Helping student parents cope with busy schedules is one goal of the MSU Family Resource Center, 1407 S. Harrison Road.
"Our program is open to students, staff and faculty who deal with raising children outside of their job or education," said Lori Strom, a resource center coordinator. "There are a lot of single moms who struggle financially, and paying for child care can cost more than paying for their college tuition. We hope we can help with some of these issues."
Acquiring funding for the center and helping these students has been a priority for university officials, Strom said.
"People like Dr. Fred Poston and Dr. Lee June have been very supportive of the center, and I think (they) are the reason we eventually got this grant together," Strom said.
June, vice president and associate provost to student affairs and services, said the resource center greatly benefits students who have children.
"There are an increasing number of students who have children on campus, particularly undergrads," June said. "Now that we got this grant successfully, we feel it will be a big help to these students."
Alsobrooks said when she and her son Chase, 4, found the Family Resource Center, she was able to get more money and organize her finances.
"Once I came in contact with the center, they were able to help me find scholarships, and they got me in contact with Student Parents on a Mission," Alsobrooks said. "Something like Student Parents on a Mission really helps to meet other single parent students because most students don't have a grasp on the type of schedule we deal with."
Student Parents on a Mission is a campus organization for single student parents and was developed 12 years ago.
"We provide informational meetings, a chance to meet other parents and also provide family activities so the parents can have a chance to do a free activity with their child," said Alsobrooks, who is the group's co-chairperson. "We also do some advocacy-type stuff, like talk to administrators and students across campus about our situation."
Phillips said finding people who are experiencing the same situation — young, single, college-student parents — alleviates stress and creates a connection in the community.
"Just to know you're not alone always helps," Phillips said. "It's very helpful to get advice from these groups."
Alsobrooks and Phillips agree their children outweigh any financial stresses.
"Every single minute I have with (my son), I enjoy having," Phillips said. "I would much rather be with him than have a less stressful schedule or go out on a Friday night."
