Is it possible to return to college, get financial aid, & have child care assistance & living expenses paid?

Question

I am a divorced 40 year old single mom of 2. I am seriously thinking of returning to college to get a bachelors degree and then maybe law school. I did some college in my younger years but never finished or obtained a 2yr degree. Does anyone know if I can return as a displaced homemaker and have my living expenses and child care (after care) paid for while I attend college? Will I received assistance for the same from the government? Has anyone ever achieved the same? I have no help and I am on my own. I am a low paid legal assistant and made less than 8k last year due to being laid off ( my boss took ill). I am always told I'd make an excellent atty. I want to go for it but being a single mom always held me back.

Answer 1

absolutely.... but the daycare you may need to pay for out of pocket (at first, until you get the 'left over amount' from any funds you are awarded not used).

YOU JUST KEEP GOING!
dont you DARE stop, because there is plenty out there for you to help with your schooling. i'm just going to list all that i have found on the web on everything. i know its a lot, but take your time and pick through it... its worth it.

remember to pass on what you are able to find (and where) to others, so it can help them with their schooling as well.

Contact your states Bar Assoc and ask if they are aware of any scholarships/grants for law schooling.

go to fastweb also. you just answer the questions and submit it. they then email you back with what they are able to find on their databases that you would qualify for.... and you apply to those on the list that you want.

i also listed some single parent scholarships sites as well.

single mom of 4
:)
-----------------
OVER apply; it doesnt hurt to have too many, and the extra funds can help with housing.

YOU WILL NEED ADOBE READER:
(yes, its free)
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

TESTING & PRACTICE TESTS
(SATs, PSATs, ACT, GRE LSAT, MCAT, GMAT,TOEFL, etc)
http://www.kaptest.com/college
http://collegeboard.com/splash/
http://act.org/
http://lsac.org
http://toefl.org
http://www.ets.org
http://www.gre.org
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat
http://www.gmac.org

TURNITIN
(don’t copy papers, teachers/professors
DO check your papers with this)
http://turnitin.com/static/home.html
http://plagiarism.org/

INFO
NACAC & COMMONAPP
http://www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/
http://commonapp.org/
http://nsse.iub.edu/index.cfm

DVD TOURS OF COLLEGES
http://collegiatechoice.com/

CRIME STATS, DATA OF COLLEGES
http://ope.ed.gov/security/search.asp

SCHOLARSHIP LIST
http://scholarshipamerica.org/
http://www.lifebridge.org/gran-list-alph.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/njcomputerchick/school.html
http://www.chrome.org/scholarshiplist.html

MORE SCHOLARSHIPS, HELP & INFO:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-jobs.htm
http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/other.phtml
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/
http://www.back2college.com/library/scholarships.htm
http://www.scholarshiphelp.org/
http://www.findtuition.com/scholarships/
http://www.collegeconfidential.com/
http://college-scholarships.com/
http://www.statefarm.com/about/part_spos/grants/grants.asp
http://www.gmsp.org
http://www.gmsp.org/gmsp_web/(nb5ctd55gavpfi55bb3a3j45)/scholarships.aspx
http://www.sfa.ufl.edu:16080/scholarshipcafe/
http://www.edsf.org/scholarshipAwards.cfm
http://www.fafsaonline.com/
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
http://www.feea.org/
http://www.greenzone.org/
http://www.salliemae.com/
http://www.ed.gov/finaid/landing.jhtml
http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/
http://www.educationplanner.com/ss/code/Profile1.asp?level=u®ion=s&mode=EDIT&sponsor=2859&volume=SS&e&h
http://www.studentawards.com/
http://www.collegeanswer.com/index.jsp
http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/
http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/Detailed/Scholarships/Meta_indexes_and_other_scholarship_directories/Women_s_and_Non-traditional_students_scholarships_meta-directory_126.php
http://www.akaeaf.org/programsandinitiatives/
http://www.schoolsoup.com/
http://www.blackexcel.org/link4.htm
http://www.dellscholars.org/
http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org/
http://www.jackierobinson.org/
http://www.bpwusa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4212
http://www.wilsonfund.org/scholarships/scholarships.shtml
http://www.uncf.org/
http://www.socxfbi.org/login.asp?reason=denied_empty&script_name=/cgi-alumni/adir2.dll&path_info=/search&sitename=FBI&scroll=10&p=1&S=scholarships&x=0&y=0
http://www.finaid.org/
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp
http://www.act.org/recognition/clients.html
http://www.act.org/kfcscholars/index.html
http://www.kfcscholars.org/
http://www.rhodesscholar.org/
http://www.collegedata.com/
http://www.fastweb.com/
http://www.getreadyforcollege.org/gPg.cfm?pageID=139
http://www.policylink.org/EDTK/AH101/Financing.html#4
http://www.hud.gov/grants/index.cfm

MISC FIELDS OF STUDY
http://www.act.org/goldwater/yybull.html
http://www.act.org/recognition/clients.html
http://whereyouheaded.com/
http://luth.org/schools.htm
http://www.nwboatschool.org/
http://soloschools.com/
http://www.nols.edu/wmi/
http://etruscanfoundation.org/

NURSING / CNA
http://www.scholarships-ar-us.org/grants/nursing.htm
http://www.dar.org/natsociety/edout_scholar.cfm
http://nursingworld.org/nursecareer/edfund.htm
http://www.medi-smart.com/finaid.htm
http://www.discovernursing.com/nursing-scholarship-search
http://www.ncaa.org/about/scholarships.html
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/DSA/nsl.htm
http://www.nsna.org/foundation/
http://www.4cnas.com
http://www.choosenursing.com/
http://www.minoritynurse.com/
http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subptyschol.inc
http://www.straightforwardmedia.com/nursing/
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/scholarship/

BECOMING A TEACHER
http://www.siemens-foundation.org/TeacherScholarship/
http://www.aft.org/teachers/jft/becoming.htm
http://www.fseog.com/
http://www.childcareservices.org/ps/teach.html
http://www.act.org/recognition/clients.html

CHILDREN OF MILITARY
http://www.militaryscholar.org/about/about.shtml
http://www.mcsf.com/site/c.ivKVLaMTIuG/b.1677655/k.BEA8/Home.htm
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm <-do search for ‘scholarships’
http://www.milspouse.org/Educ/Fund/MilFScholar/
http://www.aerhq.org/education_dependentchildren.asp

INTERNSHIPS
http://www.fasttrackinternships.com/
http://www.internprograms.com/
http://www.brillstreet.com/
http://ceri.msu.edu/

DEPENDENCY or NOT
http://www.salliemae.com/get_student_loan/apply_student_loan/understanding/financial_aid/dependency/

LOAN FORGIVENESS
http://www.pheaa.org/loanforgiveness/healthier_futures.shtml
http://www.aft.org/teachers/jft/loanforgiveness.htm
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/cancelstaff.jsp?tab=repaying
http://www.finaid.org/loans/forgiveness.phtml
http://www.aessuccess.org/manage/cant_make_payment/Federal_Teacher_Loan_Forgiveness.shtml
http://www.staffordloan.com/repayment/forgiveness.shtml
http://www.educationplanner.com/ss/code/Profile1.asp?level=u®ion=s&mode=EDIT&sponsor=2859&volume=SS&e&h

STATUS OF LOAN OR AID
http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/

IF YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR PIN yet (for your loan / aid status) apply for one:
http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp

ESSAY HELP
http://essayedge.com/
http://www.scholarshiphelp.org/
http://www.gradesaver.com/resources/scholarship.html
http://www.collegeadmissionsessays.com/
http://www.nataviguides.com/broke_essay.html
http://www.princetonreview.com/college/apply/articles/process/essayjump.asp
http://www.scholarshipessay.us/
http://www.freschinfo.com/tips-brainstorming.php
http://www.freschinfo.com/tips-topic.php
http://www.korepetycje.com/Essays_Articles/scholarshipessay.html

GRANT SCHOLARSHIP SCAM LIST
(if you find a scam report it here too)
http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer/media_psas_classads.html
http://www.actstudent.org/finaid/scholarshipscams.html

LOANS
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DirectLoan/index.html
http://www.acteducationloans.com/
http://www.finaid.org/loans/educationlenders.phtml
http://www.financialaid.com/plus/index.cfm?id=plusloans
http://www.alternativestudentloan.com/
http://www.parentplusloan.com/
http://www.financialaidpodcast.com/about/
http://www.myspace.com/financialaidpodcast
http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com

GRAD LOANS & SCHOLARSHIP
http://www.gradloans.com/graduate-plus-loan/
http://www.gfoa.org/services/scholarships.shtml
http://www.akaeaf.org/programsandinitiatives/

DEFAULTED STUDENT LOANS
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DCS/index.html

CONSOLIDATE LOANS
http://loanconsolidation.ed.gov/
http://www.plusloanconsolidator.com/
http://www.salliemae.com/after_graduation/manage_your_loans/consolidate_student_loans/student_loan_consolidation.htm
http://www.salliemae.com/content/privateconsolidation/index.html
http://loanconsolidation.ed.gov/

TEACHER / PROFESSORS reviews, rated by students
http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/index.jsp
http://teacherreviews.com/
http://pickaprof.com/

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
http://www.edupass.org/finaid/
http://www.irex.org/programs/grants.asp
http://ciee.org/
https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/home.html
http://www.iie.org/programs/gilman/index.html
http://www.iie.org/programs/gilman/resources.html
http://www.iefa.org/
http://www.iefa.org/resources/
http://educationusa.state.gov/
http://college-scholarships.com/
http://www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid.html
http://www.internationalstudent.com/
http://www.internationalscholarships.com/
http://www.internationalstudentloan.com/
http://www.globalslc.com/
http://www.edupass.org/finaid/loans.phtml
http://www.abroadplanet.com/student-loans/the-global-student-loan-corporation/
http://www.salliemae.com/international/
FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
http://fordfound.org/

HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIPS
http://www.hsf.net/
http://www.scholarshipsforhispanics.org/
http://www.statefarm.com/about/part_spos/grants/hispanic.asp
http://www.hsfi.org/
http://scholarships.hispanicfund.org/applications/
http://www.chci.org/chciyouth/scholarship/scholarship.htm
http://www.bpwusa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4212

SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIPS & HELP
http://www.bpwusa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4212
http://singleparents.about.com/od/scholarships/tp/Search_Scholar.htm
http://www.singlemotherresources.com/
http://www.singlemotherresources.com/resources.htm
http://www.singlemom.com/CAREER/financialaid.htm
http://salliemae.collegeanswer.com/paying/content/pay_free_money.jsp
http://www.raisethenation.org/
http://www.sunshineladyfdn.org/
http://www.sunshineladyfdn.org/faq.html
http://www.antshe.org/Scholarships/Scholarships.htm
http://www.antshe.org/resourcepage.htm
http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp
http://www.soroptimist.org/sia/AM/Template.cfm?Section=WOMEN_S_OPPORTUNITY_AWARDS
http://www.back2college.com/
http://www.acenet.edu/AM/Template.cfm?Section=CIP1
https://www.ourfamiliesourfuture.org/index.jsp
http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/index.html

http://firstgovsearch.gov/search?v%3Aproject=firstgov-web&query=grant+list
http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/grants-catalog-document.html
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html
http://www.grants.gov/

Answer 2

I would go back to the junior college level and build up your GPA before going to a 4 year school so you can leave yourself room to work and care for your kids. Right now get back into the swing of things after your absence from the educational world when you became a wife mother and newly divorced since your life was on hold due to your circumstances. Apply your law credentials as a paralegal and work part time some jobs even pay for you to go to school and some junior colleges have child care on the premises so you can be close to your kids while in school.

Right now focus on getting back into school and research jobs in the legal field that offer the incentive to pay a portion of your education which can save you money in the long run since the legal experience will help you in law school since you can pass many of the classes that students take on doing briefs and other documents. Don't let being a single mom hold you back from anything my mom became an RN 8 years ago after being divorced and raising two kids by herself. You can do it if you want it that much and your children will even think you're cool because mom believes in education to pursuit her dreams. Your kids are you inspiration do it for them because you'll give them a reason to go for higher education when they see mom doing it. Seeing my mom do it is what inspired me to go to college and graduate.

Answer 3

I don't know what they can do about living expenses. But depending on your income, and the state you live in you could be eligible for child care, and financial aid. Many states offer displaced homemaker options. check out
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Have your 2006 tax info handy. They will answer questions, and link you to resources. Also check out Financial Aid for Dummies from your local library. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Yes to all and I go to school with lots of single parents your age but most of them is a single parent of 3 or more.You will get scholarships just because you are going back.You will be fine just take it one step at a time.