How can I go to school full time and still be able to take care of my child?

Question

I left my ex the beginning of 2007 and moved to out of state with our then 2 year daughter and I am learning that it is not that easy to take care of her on my own and I need to know what if any resources are available to she and I. So far I have
tried to give him a chance to by an active (paying) part of her life, but he gives excuses left and right so I have enrolled in school and I really want to take classes full time, but I know that financially we will be lacking. I want to know how to maximize social services without being dependent.....

By the way I already make over $40,000 a year and I need my master degree.

Answer 1

I am currently a single parent with 2 children and I am in my second year of college. I don't let finances bother me, nor do I get public assistance (even though I qualify for it).

Besides my grants, I have taken out student loans and also do workstudy on campus. When I started school, that's what the dean told us the loans are for, to not stress out over finances, as they are the biggest worry for ANY student.

I have one child in middle school and the other one at the daycare on campus, and am also taking on 2 majors to boot!

You can do it, contact the financial aid office and see what you qualify for as far as loans, and don't let the fact that you are borrowing scare you, as you are in school to get a job that pays far more decent than without a degree. Matter of fact, any student loans don't have to get paid back until 6 months after you graduate.

And if you decide to teach, there is a chance that the loans (don't remember if it's the perkins or stafford) will get paid off by the university (i think). But depending on what you teach (my case, it will be math) you have to commit to teach for about 5 years at a title 1 school. In my case with the math, I can teach anywhere and get the loans paid off by the university.

I hope this helps, and best wishes with you and your child.

Answer 2

Each state has different ways of handling the situation, but in NY if you go to Social Services they will take steps to get the father to pay child support. Additionally, you may qualify for food stamps (which now is a debit card, so no one but you knows) and you may be able to get your daughter insured through Child Health Plus.

There may also be some sort of educational help available to you or child care programs.

So long as you are working toward an educational goal, you should ask for all the help available.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Use your campus day care. Seek child care assistance through the public system. It there to help people temporary. That's what you need it for. Pursue your education while your child is still young. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Your right you do need educating and preferably in the area of sexual education.
Staying away from lazy morons tends to prevent pregnancy. the answer above is spot on,stop leaching.

Answer 5

get a job and stop leeching off tax payers