Single moms know all too well that the mix between school and social life is a delicate one at best, for one major reason; your child is your biggest priority. Its even more dificault to to find the funds to comfortably support yourself if you haven't achieved the level of education or success you'd like. For single moms who are enrolled in college,  downright challenging to manage time, child, and money because a college course work demands a lot of time to study.

Financial aid for many single moms to ease the burden of education and family life, allowing her the flexibility to have  some money to cover the cost of tuition, while having some left over to cover living expenses and basic food neccessities.  You might have to pay the money back if the financial aid you acquired is in the form of a loan. But if you receive a grant or a special scholarship you won't have to face the hurdle of debt that many others encounter after they finish their education.

Applying for the financial aid is an easy process.  Simply go online or to your academic institution's financial aid office and fill out a FAFSA application. FAFSA stands for "Free Application for Student Aid". The consist of a series of questions that ask how much money you currently earn, how much you have saved, whether you're single or have dependents. In a single mom's case, her dependent actually works in her favor to securing a higher aid package. You will also be asked if others like your parents are financially contributing to your  education. If you get financial assistance elsewhere, there's a good chance you'll either get a small aid package or no aid at all. If this happens then you can appeal such a decision to show you actually need the money.

Assuming your application is accepted, the aid office will forward a four digit pin number that identifies you with your particular account. The next step in the process  involvces choosing a financial institution as your loan lender. Once your application is secure, you must then choose a lending institution. There's numerous paperwork involved that requires your signature, but this is only done if you're borrowing a federal loan such as a Stafford or Perkins loan. Remember loans are a debt to be paid back, so if you don't need the money, just return it to the lending institution. This will lighten your debt load later on.

Recently the federal government created an education grant program specifically targeted at mothers who want to go back to school. The program allows mothers  to apply for a grant up to $10000 to cover tuition. The 2009  Stimulus Package passed under President Obama made provisions for moms to apply for the grant. For those mothers enrolled for the full academic year,  they are eligible for the $10,000 grant award. This is great news for moms needing to fund their degree.

Comments 

 

0 #2 erin-1-dreamer 2010-08-09 15:02

I never thought I'd be going back to school but I'm single and have 2 year old to support. I decide to go to a local four year college near my hometown in maine. I didn't get all the financial aid I wanted but I did get most of it and only a very little amount left for me to cover myself. Just search, the aid is out there.

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0 #1 jerlene007 2010-08-09 14:58

I tried the grant for single moms and I'm very blessed to have gotten it. Now this makes going back to a four year school much easier for me. Of course my schedules more busy now but I can't complain. The recession hit a lot of people real hard including myself. This definitely one thing to give our government a thumbs up for.

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