There are many single moms out there, and there are also many single dads trying to raise their children all by themselves. These dads deserve equal time for any and all issues that single moms encounter. If you are a single parent and are tired of working for not much more than minimum wage, this could be a great time for you to go back to school for that higher education you always wanted but couldn’t get because of your family responsibilities. Remember, you can enroll in an online program and receive a quality education while being at home for your kids, plus there are many ways to pay for your education that does not require a payback commitment.
Although grants and scholarships seem to be of the same product, they are not. Scholarships for the most part are awarded due to merits earned, and grants are given to those with the most financial need. Just remember that either of the two requires some kind of effort or pay back. A good way to gain more knowledge of education options is to search online and while you’re at it, you’d be wise to look up online degrees before making any decisions.
Up until now, you have tried your best to provide a happy and loving home for your kids; however, the long hours needed in order to earn enough to pay the bills is taking its toll on you. Do not let it get to the point that you develop health issues directly linked to stress caused by your finances. Your solution is as close as a click of your computer’s mouse!
A great place to start is researching government agencies that provide single parent grants and scholarships. It can be confusing, so do not get frustrated in your searches. The majority, if not all, are school related, so you must be either already enrolled or in the process of enrolling in a program through an accredited school of higher learning. The accreditation is very important and must be current for any government grants or scholarships.
To start, you can apply for the Pell Grant, which is awarded for undergraduate degree programs. It determines who is awarded funds by one’s overall financial situation, and you being a single parent are at the top of the list of students who will receive those funds. This grant and the majority of financial assistance for needy students use the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine eligibility. So, fill it out as soon as you can, even before you are done with the enrollment process.
It may also be necessary for you to provide documentation of either a divorce or custody agreement for the minor children in your care. If the other parent is guilty of abandoning the children and is not providing any form of support, this will be addressed as well. However, if your situation is different, there are other options on this form that you can mark off in order to help explain why you have a financial need for help. Educating yourself all you can about online Masters degrees may bring more success.
Your next area to investigate are scholarships that you may be eligible for, even though by definition scholarships are awarded on merit, some are designed especially for the single parent such as the “10K Scholarship for Moms” or the “10K Scholarship for Dads”. They hold monthly raffles in which the parent who is selected receives $10,000 that is applied towards the cost of tuition.
All in all, if you want to go back to school and you are a single parent, do not let your financial situation stop you from enrolling in an online college degree program, especially now that the internet has made returning to online schools so much easier and convenient for those who have family responsibilities that cannot be ignored.
