Single mom trying to figure out how to pay for son to go to college in a year.?

Question

Looking for any information on how people have been able to afford to send their kids to college on a tight budget.

Answer 1

It's a long shot, though not impossible. The first year will likely be the toughest, and it will seem like you are doing it piecemeal. Eventually, the sources will come together, and his subsequent years will become a lot easier. He should also be an active participant in this process, not just a bystander in his own education.

First and foremost, as the education is for your son, he should be working a parttime job. Every single dime that he earns should be placed into an interest-bearning account dedicated to his college fund. Likewise, set aside as much as you can (as well as your son's father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and any other interested parties) to also deposit into the account. (Just because you're unmarried, that's no reason for his biological father to just skate without any responsibilities. He should contribute!)

Apply for every single grant (grants don't have to be repaid) for which he is potentially eligible. His guidance counselor should be helpful, and will more than likely be able to provide a list. That's just the beginning.

If you and his father are employed, check with your human resources office to see if there are grants and/or scholarships that are available to employees' children. If so, make an immediate application. Often, those are decided upon based on the submission of an essay. Sometimes they are based upon need. If the essay is required, make sure your son knocks it out of the park!

Ditto, if you or his father (or any of the grandparents)belong to a union. Ask the same questions.

Check online for various grants and scholarships (some links provided below, but still seek more).

At least for his first year, select the least expensive college nearest to where you live. That way, he can continue to live at home, and then not have the additional expense of paying for room and board.

Go to the college financial aid office, and speak with a counselor about what particular type of aid options are available through them. They might have resources as a result of a certain benefactor, etc.

Also, if your son has already expressed an interest in going into a particular field (law, communications, civil service, etc.), there are grants and scholarships available to students majoring in certain specific areas. Look for those.

If your son is a minority, there are certain organizations that sometimes have funds available based upon nationality or race (ie: African-American, Native American, etc.). If this is applicable in your case, look into that.

Inquire as to whether or not your religious body (church, temple, mosque, etc.), if you have such an affiliation, offers any financial aid for parishoners.

If either you or your son's father have a military background, there may be monies available through that avenue.

If you, your son's father, or either of your parents were active in a fraternal organization (ie: Masons, Elks, Shriners, Order of the Eastern Star, etc.), you might look into that aspect, as well.

Don't put pride before his college attendance. If you need to host a fundraiser to come up with some quick cash, DO IT! Just be very accountable, and keep good records. Make sure that every penny of donations is accounted for and documented.

Host several yard sales. You might ask your loved ones to contribute what items they can, so that it's larger and will attract more people. Make sure to advertise it in the paper.

Do you remember the old, "rent parties?" In that vein, host a cookout or BBQ, where people pay a certain amount or offer a donation towards your son's college fund.

Contact any charitable organizations specific to your area to see if they have any funds for college students based upon financial need.

Do not rule out college loans.

These are just some ideas to get you started. No doubt, you can come up with your own. The links I supplied below came via Google. Do your own searches. Get very creative. Keep records. Let that "motherlove" kick in. And get your son off to college!

Answer 2

Apply for financial aid from the federal government at the college's financial office. They have loans and grants to give out for the entire period that you are in college if you qualify. You don't have to pay back for grants. After college, you can pay back the loans in monthly installments or just a percentage of what you have earned from work (they have different options) and they also give you 6 months or more grace period if you cannont find a job after college and so forth. If you find a full-time job after college especially with a useful degree, the pay can be quite good and one should be able to pay back their loans a little bit each month. You can also try to work to help with the costs and he can also work part-time on campus or off campus while in school. There is also federal work study program (Part of the federal government student aid), where you can work on campus and don't have to pay back that money. You can also look into tuition waivers, tuition assistance or scholorship programs. http://www.google.com is a good place to search for information.

Answer 3

Have him meet with his counselor NOW in order to see what scholarships are available and what he might qualify for. Also, get with a representative in your area who helps with the FAFSA online-we have a group in my area called TRIO, but they might be called something else in your area. Have your son start looking for scholarships left and right-they are everywhere! You might be surprised, even some stores have them. Check with the college alumni association of his school of choice. Get him registered with fastweb.com-they have tons of scholarship opportunities. If your income will qualify, check into a Pell grant. Make financial aid the very LAST resort. There are ways-check with other parents in your area as well. Hope these are beneficial to you.

Answer 4

Have him apply for scholarships and grants. His high school counselor should be able to help him with this. You might also want to check with a civic organization such as Kiwanis or Rotary and see if his name can be placed on a list to receive a scholarship. These organizations usually have scholarship programs for exceptionally studious kids or kids who have limited financial resources.

Answer 5

Look into assistance programs. There may be something that can help single parents with college money. There's not much you can do to raise the money that fast unless you have alot to start with.

Answer 6

you can get grants, have your son try for scolarships, and student loans..... good luck.

go to the colleges (local) and ask them for thier information on these items. They will give you all of the information you need. But you must ask...

Answer 7

Make sure his H.S. and him work together with career center. they must have a lots of scholarship available and for charity organization have more than . You only have to do help him out to go to the career center before the senior year

Answer 8

the colleges will help you ,talk to the financial aid dept.
they will help you find out witch grants you are qualified for
if you are in a low income bracket you may be able to get a grant to pay for all of his school,books and dorm..

Answer 9

She is like a hero since she is single mother.
She worked hard for her children to support for their educate! Every 10cents or 5 cents that she collected is for her children!

Answer 10

scholarships, grants and the enviable student loans