Financial Aid For Single Mothers
As a single mom, you constantly battle financial problems. You are the only breadwinner in your home, yet you are also the only parent. As such, you must dedicate yourself to your career and your children at the same time. Sometimes advancing within your field of work is difficult because your children are constantly needing your attention. One way to take the next step at your place of employment is to get another degree or finish the one you started. If you are thinking about going back to school, the financial reality may be stopping you. If so, here are some resources you should know about to help you pay for your education.
The first place you should look for financial help is the government. Talk to the financial aid department at the school you are considering, and they will help you find the necessary forms to apply for federal aid programs. You will have to file the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of this process. If your income qualifies, you will be eligible for help such as Pell Grants, Cal Grants, and special student loan offers with lower than normal interest rates. You may or may not qualify for help, but you should go through the process to determine if you do or not.
If you do not qualify for federal aid or you do not get enough aid to cover what you need, there are many privately funded organizations that will help single moms fund their education. Raise the Nation is one of these organizations. This company has a scholarship for single moms who wish to pursue further education but cannot get the money they need through traditional loan sources and school grants.
The Sunshine Lady Foundation Scholarship Program is another option for some single moms. The Foundation offers the Women's Independence Scholarship Program, which is available to women who have escaped from abusive relationships and need to get an education in order to become financially stable by landing a good job. Women with young children in the home are the focus of this scholarship.
If neither of these options work for you and you still need more money for your education, consider using an online tool to search for grants, loans, and scholarships that match your life. For instance, sometimes minority women can get scholarships from their minority organizations. FastWeb.com is a website that offers an online search tool for scholarships, loans, grants, and other forms of financial aid.
If you want to go back to school and the fact that you are a single mom is holding you back, there are options. You need to do your research and find out what help you can get. Remember, getting your degree will only make life better for you and your children, so stop waiting and start working towards further education.