Can a single mother go to community college full-time and not have to work?

Question

I do not have family or friends to help out with childcare and cannot live on $10.00 an hour anymore. I've been informed that the program I've chosen will require me to go to school during the day, and I live in a small town with very little child care options, no way to move and no support system. I just want to go to school full-time and get it over with ASAP.

Although I used to work in financial aid, it's pretty complicated to figure out terms, amounts I qualify for, etc. as my EFC was 1576 when I was working and did my FAFSA but with only child support now obviously the situation's changed.

Since I've been laid off, I've made the decision to go back to school and although I've heard of single parents going to school full - time and being able to live on FA, I don't see how this is possible unless I take out a ton of loans. Has anyone ever done this and how did it work for you? I'm going for an associates in Radiology

you know, my ex-husband brought me 1500 miles from home and dropped me off at a homeless shelter when I was six months pregnant with our daughter. I have no family at all to help me. I lived for a year without furniture, had a horrible health crisis that I had to pay out of pocket to fix, worked 4 jobs at one point..7 days a week to earn enough to buy pots and pans and the little things you probably take for granted because you had someone help you get started. I've never had any help..ever. So, yeah. It will be nice to not work and go to college and stop the cycle before it's too late.

Think before you speak jerk.

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible to attend college being a single mother. Have you tried approaching workforce or the Department of Human Services in your area because they have programs to help you? They can help you with health insurance, food stamps, and child care expenses. There might be a chance that the waiting list for housing assistance might be closed in your area. There is utility assistance too available in most areas, so I recommend talking with your utility companies. Most community colleges do offer child care services. I will include some other resources. Good luck!

Answer 2

I am a full-time student and single mother attending a university. Like you, I don't have family to help. In fact I didn't really want people to help me because that's how I am. My son is now three and I am one year from graduating. There's no way to get around taking out loans if you're going to a university. Every year, I apply for at least 10 scholarships and I always get at least one. There are a lot of scholarships out there for single mothers with good grades. Your school and the department you choose to go to tend to have a lot of good single parent scholarships. Also, apply for other types of scholarships you may qualify for. Be sure to talk to your financial aid adviser about what types of university and departmental grants you may qualify for. *Grants do not ever have to be paid back. The only downside to grants is that you may become ineligible for them if you fail to complete the classes you sign up for, but that only happens after a warning. Also, all states have a program that helps pay for child care. You'll pay a small monthly co-pay which is determined by your income. Typically it will be anywhere from $10-$80 a month. I made sure to plan my schedule so that all of classes landed back-to-back within the 8am-12pm time range. This way I can take on a campus job from 12:30-5pm. Many universities also offer family housing which is an option if you cannot afford to live off-campus. I wish you all the best luck with your endeavors. I always encourage single mothers to pursue their education without waiting. It is the best thing you can do for you and your daughter. And hard does not mean impossible!

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can a single mother go to community college full-time and not have to work?
I do not have family or friends to help out with childcare and cannot live on $10.00 an hour anymore. I've been informed that the program I've chosen will require me to go to school during the day, and I live in a small town with very little child care options, no way to move and no support...

Answer 4

It is very possible. The community college I go to has a childcare center but I'm sure it might cost something and I'm not sure what. See if your school offers it. I know how you feel about the money you made, I made $11 last year and took care of my mom not a child (she is very sick) and we pretty much starved. I fell into extremely bad credit and thought I wouldn't qualify for financial aid because of my credit but actually they tell me I don't qualify because I made too much money. Well not according to FAFSA. I have no job, not even a bank account, was turned down for unemployment because I quit that nasty job. I'm still not sorry I did, but I've decided that I'm going to school and whatever the grant don't cover I'll take out in a loan.
Let me tell you a secret: I had one year of college and employers were fighting over me when my education was fresh. By that I mean I had my pick of who I wanted to work for and the pay was very rewarding. The working world rewards education so it will be hard for you but you'll see it start to pay off after that first year. Then you can even take night courses if you find a good enough job, you won't have to worry about costs of childcare and such. Suffer out that first year and you'll see it's worth it, look for a job in your field or in an office you'll get a better pay simply because you're proving that you are trying to make something out of yourself.
Best Luck to you and your baby!

Answer 5

I did it when mt kids were little and got an AAS I am now preparing to do it again with teenagers. However this time I have a brother and boyfriend living with me.
The first time I lived in govt. subsidized housing . recived govt assistance and food stamps. got FASFA and loans and a scholarship (cuz I was a single mom) state paid child care and I did work study ( work at the school between classes) and applied for every thing I could like energy assistance (money once a year in the winter to help with heating costs) The welfare to work program paid 5.00 a day for gas for school. It is hard but it is possible.

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

it is VERY possible to attend college being a single mother

Answer 8

"I would like to say thank you to Destiny kings Loan finance for all the things they have helped me with. I have a large family, and every time we have had a crisis Destiny kings Loan finance has helped us out. I thank God for the help they have provided,email them today at{[e-mail]} to get your own life moving like mine and i will always thank God for the help he has always offered to me whenever the time is rough,Destiny Kings is always there for me.

{[e-mail]}

Answer 9

wow must be nice to be a single mother and be able to go to college with out having to work
edited to add
everybody has a sad story to tell everybody has negatives in their lives. so dont be whining. you made your choices and you have to live with them just like everybody else. i made a choice not to get pregnant you made a choice to bring a baby into your mess of a life so get real, and grow up. why should people who make bad choices get things for free but people that try to make good choices have to work for school? very interesting that you feel entitled for so much help when you keep making mistakes isnt it a better idea to help those who try to do the right thing then for those who whine and say i should get free things because i keep messin up? support system, family help? yeah everybody has that its just YOU that doesnt so of coarse you should get free help. sure that makes sense you are the only one why not. pots and pans cost 25 cents to 50 cents at goodwill or salvation army( wonder how i know that? hmmmmm maybe because i have bought them there myself ) so you must have alot of pots and pans if you had to work "seven days a week" to buy some. good luck to your baby! i am not a jerk i am a realist maybe you should try it.