There are rumors all over the Internet. Search engines have all sorts of messages declaring that it is possible to receive money for college as a single parent. How can an aspiring student know who is telling the truth and who isn't?
State Grants for Single Mothers
Many single parents are daunted with the challenge of paying for their education. Often times, the best way to receive funding is to start searching locally. Many states in the US set aside money for single parents who strive to further their education. For example, the state of New York has a Tuition Assistance Program or TAP, which provides grants of up to $5000 for qualifying residents who are single parents. In Washington state, a single mother or father must have a dependent child living at home and on the application must provide the state with income details that show financial need.
The best way to find out the single parent benefits of each state is to visit the county's family services division or unemployment office. Ask if there are special funds set aside, and if so, ask for an application or if an application can downloaded from their website.
Private Scholarships for Women
There are organizations who set aside money particularly for single mothers and fathers. Here are two options that single parents have:
- Project Working Moms sponsored by eLearners.com gives away a $4000 scholarship each month to use toward a woman's college education. Dads are welcome to apply too. A caveat: adhere to the strict monthly deadlines.
- Raise the Nation foundation is a nonprofit organization that has a Scholarship for Continuing Education. It is available to "to single parent women who would like to go to school or continue with their education, but have been denied sufficient resources." A Child of Single Parent Woman Scholarship is available as well.
Did Obama really put aside money solely for single mothers? This is one of the major rumors circulating online today.
This article, Obama Moms Back to School Grant, separates the fact from fiction and discusses exactly what money is set aside for single moms. In the article, prospective students can learn about the benefits of the Federal Pell Grant.
For single parents, going back to school may seem impossible financially. However, if parents research state grants, private scholarships and federal money, they may find the financial assistance they've been looking for all along.
Jennifer Ciotta - Jennifer Ciotta is the author of I, Putin (Vladimir Putin novel): http://vladimirputinnovel.com.
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