College May Be a Great Option for Single Moms
Going back to school as a single Mom may be exactly what you need! It may be challenging, but it might be what brings your single mom journey to a better place.
My best friend is a college advisor. She recently told me that many women go back to school after their children are older to get a degree that will help them increase their earnings.
As scary and as unpleasant as it sounds, it may be what brings us options that we wouldn’t otherwise have.
Let’s research this together!
Why would we even want to go back to college? There has to be a very good reason for this!
As a single mom, you probably already feel overwhelmed and exhausted. I know I do. If we are considering going to college, we will need a very good reason.
According to the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, individuals with a degree are less likely to be unemployed, experience an 86% increase in wages compared to those with a high school diploma, and enjoy overall greater financial well-being.
Also, it’s important to note that people with degrees are 47% more likely to have health care insurance through their work, and that the employer often contributes more to their health care coverage.
Also, college graduates tend to live seven years longer than those without a degree.
Here is a link to this information:
Some people may return to school because they cannot continue in their chosen field.
This may be due to an injury or the natural aging process.
There are specific government programs for vocational rehabilitation.
Here is a link for this situation:
https://rsa.ed.gov/about/states
These are great reasons to consider getting a college degree!
How would we even do this? Sometimes, even the thought of going back to college is overwhelming.
As a single mom, I am knee-deep in homeschooling, work, and parenting. The thought of going back to school is overwhelming.
So, I’m wondering how people do this.
Let’s break this into manageable pieces.
Money
College isn’t cheap, but many programs help single moms go to college.
Pell Grants
These grants are incredible! For low-income students, you can find a way to finance college.
https://studentaid.gov/complete-aid-process/how-calculated
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/fseog
Scholorships
My friend tells me that scholarships are a great way to find extra funds for school.
Scholarships.com
Sallie.com
https://www.sallie.com/scholarships/types/single-moms
Bold.org https://bold.org/scholarships/by-demographics/moms/single-mom-scholarships/
Student Loans
And there are, as a last resort, student loans. I’m not sure how I feel about them, but I know that some cannot move ahead in life without them. They are typically low interest, and that is helpful. I would say keeping them to a minimum is the best option if you have to have them.
nerdwallet.com
https://www.nerdwallet.com/m/loans/student-loans/private-student-loans
You may also consider Snap or TANF to help with your finances during this time. They may have programs to help you get through school at this time.
https://acf.gov/ofa/programs/temporary-assistance-needy-families-tanf
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program
After looking through these, you can see that going to college or even back to college to further your earning potential is possible!
This may not be what you decide, but options for single moms are essential!
Is college doable with your schedule? Single moms are already short on time.
This is a big one for me! I feel like I already have so little time to give to my precious kids. It would break my heart to rob them of further time with me.
And I already work a ton. Is this even doable?
Let’s consider this together.
Stage of your children
How old are they? Are they independent or more dependent right now? Do you have time when they are at their dad’s house? Would you have time during naps, late evenings, or early mornings?
What does your work schedule look like?
My schedule is pretty flexible, but it is steady. So, I do have some wiggle room. What does your schedule look like?
Is there a way to decrease your workload during this time?
If you received additional aid from SNAP and TNAF, would it be possible?
Maybe your folks could help out during this time.
I’m not for placing kids in a daycare situation if you can keep from it, but a trusted family member is a great idea!
Consider whether now is a good time to start school or if waiting a year or two would be better.
Maybe you have littles, and this isn’t doable right now. But maybe it’s very doable next year.
I’m all for single moms having options and choices that bring us into a better place. Would any of these options work for you?
For additional time management tips for single moms, please consider this previous post:
https://www.singlemomoutwest.com/how-to-prioritize-your-time-as-a-single-mom/
What options are available?
There are many different options to increase your income level.
These include certificates, diplomas, or trade schools.
Trade school options:
Accredited Schools Online
https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/vocational-trade-school/online/
Certificate programs:
U.S. Career Institutes
https://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/online-certificate-programs
Online Degree Programs:
OnlineU.com
https://www.onlineu.com/degrees
Community Colleges
careeronestop.org
https://www.onlineu.com/degrees
There are many different options to gain education, research them slowly and prayerfully. There may be an excellent fit for you!
Increasing your options is a great idea!
Being a mom is hard! Being a single mom, even more so!
I think it’s very easy to develop tunnel vision and focus only on surviving today. I’m guilty of that!
But planning for the future is vital for a single mom! Maybe this information will help you!
Prayers for your journey,
Lacey
