Single mom of two wants to get a degree but also has bills to pay. Need advice! Please Help!!!?

Answer 1

Decide what degree you want, search for on-line school programs, select program, and apply for scholarships.

Answer 2

Getting a degree is the ultimate personal accomplishment there is.

I am a single parent as well of a little boy and I decided to go back to school to get my Master's Degree. I decided that it wasn't possible for me to attend your so-called "brick and mortar" type of school, so I decided to go along with a program available online. Trust me when I say, it was hard! lol! I had many sleepless nights completing papers and posting questions and answers on discussion boards. But, it was all worth it. Although it was hard being a full-time mother and working full-time as well as attending school full-time, I was able to do it with much prayer and support from friends and family. Without them, I dont think it could have been done.

Now I am looking into Doctoral Programs...yeah, I want to take it to the next level! lol! I know it will be hard, but by going back to school really showed my son that I was dedicated and that I didnt want anything to stand in my way from receiving a great education.

Try and get a part-time job that will help you pay those bills that are necessary and possibly look into. Look at some of the links below to check out online schooling

Here's wishing you nothing but the best on your quest for schooling.

Answer 3

As a divorced parent of three children myself, I can sympathize. My advice is to go here --> http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm fill it out. This is the one place you can go to get grants (you don't have to pay these back) and it also points you to the direction for low interest loans. It took me 5 years, but a few weekends ago I graduated from a California State University with two degrees. Ü

I must tell you that it takes more then just yourself to get through college. Find family, friends, talk to them and explain what you are planning on doing - elicit their support, you may be (or not) surprised to hear the amount of encouragement you get, and IF they offer you any help, take them up on it. Don't be afraid to say you are over whelmed one a weekend when you have papers due. The best offer of help I received was to take my children on a weekend so I could just write my papers and study for finals.

As for working to pay your bills, eating is important. Take the grants (as a single woman with children, you are sure to get them) and accept the loans. You can actually live off the loans and repay them after you graduate (at a low interest rate). I understand the idea of going into debt is undesirable, however weigh the benefits of you getting a University degree (and being an incredible role model for your children) with the cost of getting an decent job making (at MOST) 35k a year. The average University graduate earns 10k (most often more) a year then those who do not go onto to higher education. (that's an added benefit of a minimum of 10k a year compounded by every single year with bonuses and raises) And think of this, only 3% of the worlds population ever graduate from an accredited University Ü - you can be a part of that 3%

good luck in your endeavors

Answer 4

How long do you need to get your degree? Do you have good credit?

I'm a single mother and about 2 yrs ago i decided to go back to school full-time. I needed money to bills obviously. I took a loan out to cover the amount of time I would be out of work. I also prepared for my time away from work. I cut off any unecessary bills, I also made sure we got medical coverage. I also applied for financial aide through the school.

I graduated with my degree and have to pay the loan back, but It was so worth it. I hope this helps. Good luck

Answer 5

Start by checking out your local community college. If they have one, find something called a "Re-entry Program." They will have people who can help you make the transition back into school (whether you have had some college or none).

If they don't have a Re-entry Program, talk to a Financial Aid counselor. A single mom with low income should be eligible for a few different sources of aid.

Once you are back in, take it slow. The most important thing is to be able to do your best. And remember...everything you do is the best example for your kids! My mom went back to school in 1984 and in 2002 she got her B.A. degree. Now she is in a Master's Program. Growing up with her doing that always made me think how important education is. Today, both me and my older sister are college professors.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I am a single mom too. I am working on my master's degree. You need to go to the financial aid office of the college that you want to attend and look into what financial aid you qualify for. Take what you can get. People fear loans, but school loans are generally low-interest and can mean a better life for your kids. Even if you pay your loans for years after you graduate, its a very small amount. You can use loans for your bills. You may also be able to qualify for grants. Believe that you can do it! It will happen. Even though it will be hard, no one can ever take knowledge away from you. :)

Answer 7

Apply for college, speak to an advisor about CLEP exams - those are tests where you learn the material yourself on your timetable, and these exams are often offered once a month, you take it, and if you score above a certain percentage (I think it's 70%, but I wouldn't swear to it.) you get the credits as if you took the class. That's one way to keep expenses down. The other is, apply for financial aid and loans. If you get the loan, ask for a couple of thousand more than your tuition and fees, and at the end of the semester, as long as you still take classes, you get a check for that extra money. That's yours to do what you want (bank it and use it to cover bills during the semester) with until you finish school and have to begin paying back your student loans.

Answer 8

Choose your school and degree and see if they still have pel grants available. They were money given to students you don't have to repay for first time students.
Good Luck

Answer 9

Start part-time at a community college.

Answer 10

Student loans. Check out a JC near you. They may also provide daycare there as well.