Guaranteed income program at SFCC provides positive boost for parenting students
Imagine attending college while caring for children and worrying about how to afford groceries, housing, and other everyday essentials. For many of SFCC’s parenting students, this is a daily reality.
What if these parents had an extra $400 per month for a year to ease their worries? That’s the question the recently completed Santa Fe LEAP study sought to answer.
In 2021, Mayor Alan Webber of Santa Fe, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, the Santa Fe Community Foundation, and Santa Fe Community College partnered on this project and recently announced the release of the study. The results are resoundingly positive: guaranteed income works.
“The Santa Fe MGI project conclusively shows that we can break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and provide young families a ladder of opportunity they can climb,” said Mayor Webber in a Mayors for Guaranteed Income press release. “Combining a little bit of monthly cash with a chance to complete a program at [Santa Fe] Community College is a formula for success for young families who want a better life for themselves and their children. If poverty is the nation’s challenge, this is Santa Fe’s resounding response.”
Billed as the first guaranteed income pilot program targeting community college students under 30 with lower incomes and caregiving responsibilities, the initiative was launched through a random, anonymous selection of SFCC students meeting specific income and caregiving criteria.
According to a report by the Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the University of Pennsylvania, SFCC students – primarily Latina women with children and a median household income of $19,500 – experienced positive impacts from the program. Many of the guaranteed income recipients highlighted that SFCC served as a wraparound support network, offering much more than just an educational experience.
In a recent article in the Santa Fe New Mexican, SFCC student and recipient Leslye Melchor de Cardona shared how the program helped cover bills, groceries, and other expenses at a time when she was most in need. “It was helpful in every way,” she said in the April 1 article.
Melchor de Cardona, a mother of four, was one of 100 SFCC participants in the program. During that time, she earned her Early Childhood Education certificate while battling breast cancer, the article reports. The $400 monthly stipend provided crucial support, enabling her to stay in school despite significant challenges. After her grueling cancer treatments, she took a break from completing her associate degree to care for her children, including the youngest, who was born during that stressful period. She hopes to finish her degree and eventually pursue a master’s degree.
College research shows that nearly 40 percent of SFCC students are parents and they consistently report that financial stress is the biggest barrier for parents to stay in school.
“Leslye’s story is a powerful example of how this program can make a real difference, demonstrating the impact of guaranteed income on students balancing significant personal and academic challenges,” said SFCC President Becky Rowley. “These outcomes highlight the tangible improvements in students’ lives made possible by the Santa Fe LEAP program, with SFCC playing a pivotal role in facilitating access to and supporting participants—setting the stage for continued success and growth in the future.”
“Relieving some of the financial stress for our parenting students through Santa Fe LEAP has helped them pursue their dreams,” added President Rowley. “We’re grateful to our partners for this initiative and pleased that the mayor and other partners are exploring ways to expand and grow the program.”
Highlights from the Santa Fe Leap Program
Financial Relief: 71% of the $400 stipend was used for essential household items and food, helping to alleviate financial strain. Participants’ median annual income rose from $19,500 to $24,000.
Housing Improvements: 76% of participants reported better housing within six months of receiving the stipend. This improvement was attributed to home investments or moving in with family.
Employment Gains: Full-time employment rose by 19 percentage points, and part-time/seasonal employment increased by 5 percentage points. The unemployment rate dropped from 9% to 3%.
Academic Progress: Around 30% of participants graduated during or shortly after the program, with a steady proportion of participants remaining full-time students.
Community Impact: 59% of participants could financially assist others, reflecting the program’s ability to reduce income volatility and promote generosity.
Family & Psychological Benefits: Participants reported spending more quality time with children and experiencing increased resilience and hope, with stronger family bonds supporting their academic and personal growth.
Sources: https://www.guaranteedincomeworks.org/data-from-santa-fe-nm
Note: Images are SFCC File Photos of Parenting Students
