The writing is on the wall - you must go back to school in order to be able to support your kids and give them a decent lifestyle along with living in a good neighborhood. There just are no other options unless you know how to plant a money tree in the back yard! Your ex has somehow managed to disappear into thin air, making your situation even more critical. It was not your idea to become a single mom, but that is life, and what can you do?
On the positive side, now that the internet exists, you can enroll into an online degree program, which will allow you to be with the kids at night. The many single moms of years ago did not have this option; so unfortunately, many were not able to improve their economical situations by obtaining a higher education. Now, on to the next hurdle to clear - how are you going to pay for your degree? Already, you have researched the grants available; now, on to the scholarships that might be there for you to tap into.
A great place to start is the Raise the Nation Scholarships for Single Moms. This is one of the few that actually provides real financial help for single moms because their philosophy is that to help today's children can be achieved by helping their parents become better educated, which improves the nation as well.
The funding for these scholarships is obtained through several organizations, corporations, foundations and individual donors. While many scholarships base their requirements on scholastic abilities, this organization does no. Instead, they look at the individual's accomplishments, personal development, leadership abilities and community work. Personal development entails your actual situation, how you got there, and what you plan to do to make things better. Of course, they are well aware that the single mom rarely has extra time for community work; however, it is included as one of the areas of possible importance to qualify.
There also are many great websites where you can find scholarships. Some are there exclusively for the single mom, and they have the latest information of financial aid that might be available. The key to success in this endeavor is to research, research and research some more! Then, the next important step is to ask question after question. If you have found the online program that you would like to enroll in, contact their financial aid department. Many online schools are recognizing the need to help the single mom and offer scholarships accordingly.
If you are employed, do not be afraid to ask your boss whether or not the company has a fund for advancement through higher education. You might be pleasantly surprised that your employer would rather help you achieve your goal than you graduating with a degree and going elsewhere Loyalty can mean everything.
Last but certainly not least are the private scholarships for single moms; however, they can be very difficult to find, but they do exist. Usually, they are offered by non-profit organizations that want to help troubled women, as if that doesn't apply to the single mom. Also, if you have a specific degree in mind, such as teaching, there are funds that target special areas in need of trained personnel. For the future teacher, a requirement of employment in a rural area of need is necessary for a period of time in order to qualify and receive funds towards tuition.
What you should remember when you feel discouraged is that you have made the best decision for your situation which is returning to school for a degree. Yes, it will take a lot of effort to find the necessary finances, but in the end, it will be worth it. You can help cut the costs by qualifying for college scholarships and need-based grants. Manyonline schools offer flexible class schedules, which in turn, could save you some money. You won't have to worry about commuting to school or hiring a babysitter. Just think, you might be able to take a vacation after you get the great job that you deserve! |
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