Earning Your Degree Online As A Single Parent
April 4, 2010 by Natasha Bright
Filed under Financial Aid
Contrary to what some comedians say, having children is not the end of the world. Yes, when one is a single mom, the priorities are changed radically. Without the support-emotional, physical and financial-of a spouse, the raising and caring of a child is a lot more difficult, but a woman doesn’t have to put her life on hold…at least completely.
Well, online colleges do help lighten the load there. They provide a series of benefits not provided for by going on campus. Among the many benefits of getting a degree online are:
You can study at home – You don’t need a babysitter for the kneebiters. You can register, take your course load and eventually graduate from the comfort of your house with the help of online grant. This way you are always nearby when your child goes and scrapes his/her knee, needs to be fed or put to bed, or even needs his/her homework done. Having kids does not mean you’ll have to rush off campus to settle a parenting crisis.
Set your own pace. If the kids are so young that they need more supervision than their elder siblings or friends, you can decrease the workload to suit that pace. Many programs allow for part-time students. It may take a little longer before you get that online degree, but real life, aka raising your kids, still set the pace. This way you can match it.
Financial aid is available. – When we talk aid, we’re not only talking tuition and fees. If the need is there, there are a number of resources out there that will help pay for things like rent, food and such essentials like clothing. Sites list such aid as: Teacher Education Assistance, Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant, National SMART Grant, Institutional Grants, Campus Based Aid (FSEOG, FWS, Perkins Loans); Stafford Loans (FEFL, Direct Loan), Plus Loans just for starters.
Cut commuting. You save not only time, but cost, by not having to commute. By studying at home instead of going back and forth from home to work to campus, you cut the costs by approximately one third. That’s more time to both study and look after the kids.
A good way to get started, even before deciding on a school, is to consult a site like Single Moms. Sit down and learn both the advantages and obstacles that are going to come. The site will also provide excellent tips on the kind of degree you want to pursue, which schools offer them and help on getting financial aid. From there, it’s definitely a good idea to pick up the phone and call the school. Try to get in touch with registration and officers to help you with online grant, if only to see what you can get.
The important point is to do some homework before you decide to study from home. With the help of single mothers grants and financial aid these goals are easier to accomplish than ever. Before you know it, the kids will grow up and before you can say “empty nest syndrome” you are well on your way with a new, degreed, career.
Getting an online education would the best choice for single parents who still wants to earn a degree. It’s the best decision a single parent could have. Not to mention the most convenient way to take care of the kids while continuing his/her education.
This probably one of the best educational alternative for single parents who have limited time to attend formal schooling. My aunt was able to earn her degree by having at least 2 hours of online education. You can’t imagine how it help her so much.