College is a wide open world for anyone who wants to become a student – and that isn’t limited to just teenagers anymore. Millions of adults across the nation are currently enrolled in courses, looking to complete their college degree. Many of these adults have one thing in common: 13 percent of them are single parents, trying to support a family while also trying to graduate. What they’re doing is starting with some good scholarships information as they begin to make their education plans.
Paying for college is never easy, and being a single parent often means your paychecks go towards family responsibilities before they can be directed towards tuition. Just because you have family needs doesn’t mean that college is an impossibility, however. Financial aid is available to the tune of billions of dollars, and much of that money is specifically put aside to help single parents pay for scholastic needs.
Single parents may feel overwhelmed by the daunting amount of information available regarding financial aid assistance. There are so many options out there that the feeling is completely justified! Most likely, when searching for financial aid, single parents are going to be trying to find grants – money that is need-based and doesn’t need to be repaid after your graduation.
Many single parents are familiar with late nights spend stressing over bills, trying to stretch one paycheck as far as it can go. Neglecting your own needs is often the easiest solution to make sure your family gets everything they need and want. However, a college degree shouldn’t be a second tier priority – believe it or not, earning a degree is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family.
The first step in applying for any financial aid is filling out a FAFSA. The FAFSA – which stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – is a form that covers basic financial information for students and can be filled out online or in person.The Department of Education begins accepting applications January 1st of each year. Federal money is issued on a first come, first served basis, so it’s better to turn your FAFSA in as close to that date as possible. As you will see when looking at college scholarships sources, the FAFSA is a vital part of the college process.
Federal financial aid is one of the largest suppliers of financial aid, offering almost $168 billion to students for just the 2010 – 2011 school year. Federal student aid is often considered the most reliable source of student aid simply because of the large amount of money they have to offer. Federal aid can be offered in the form of grants and scholarships, both of which are typically need-based and therefore appropriate for single parents trying to support a family.
You don’t have to feel limited to applying for federal aid through the FAFSA, however. Both your state and your school will offer grant and scholarship opportunities, often specifically created for single parents because they are such a large part of the student population. Not-for-profit corporations and private companies are also able to offer a number of need-based grants and scholarships for students in situations where it may be difficult for them to afford school otherwise.
There is financial aid for single parents and paying for college is within your ability. Earning online degrees may seem less important than focusing on the family until moms start seeing all the options available. A financial aid office may help ease your worries and help pay for traditional and distance degree programs, a smart investment for yourself and your family.
