Does Financing A Degree Scare You To Death?

in College Finances by kvercillo — May 7, 2011 at 11:00 am | 0 comments

It is never easy trying to figure out where the money is going to come from to pay for college. When you add in the fact that you are a mom returning to school with a family to support the situation gets even trickier. Luckily there are a lot of options designed specifically for women in this situation. Take advantage of the grants, scholarships and loans designed just for you as a mom returning to school!

Grants and Scholarships: Single Moms Only

If you’re a single mom you have a lot of financial assistance available to you to as you return to college. A few great options include:

• Soroptimist’s Women’s Opportunity Awards. These are grants that are given to women who are the primary earners for their children and household. This award can cover tuition and other costs associated with returning to school. It even covers childcare and textbooks.
• The Sunshine Lady Foundation Grant. This is a grant given to women who have been victims of domestic violence.
• Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation for Low-Income Women and Children. Qualified applicants can receive up to $2000 from this foundation.

It is also important to consider that single moms often qualify for need-based grants and scholarships available through the federal government, the state government and the institution they choose to attend. Explore all of your money-saving options to get your education at the lowest possible price.

Grants and Scholarships: All Moms

You do not have to be a single mom to have access to grants and scholarships for returning to school. Some of the grants that other moms will also qualify for comprise the following:

• Obama’s “Moms Return To School” Pell Grant. This grant has been around for awhile but last year it was christened with a new name to give attention to the fact that it’s a great grant for moms returning to school. Qualifying moms can get over $5000 toward their education.
• Jeanette Rankin Foundation Grant. This is designed for women over 35 who are experiencing financial hardship. They must show how the $2000 grant would help them and their families, something that an education can surely do!
• American Association of University Women Grants. If you are a mom who already has a Bachelor’s Degree and now you want to return to school for an advanced degree then you may qualify for one of these grants which range from $5000 to $20,000.
• Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Scholarship for Mature Women. This grant is provided directly to many different institutions, which can then provide the funds to students in need. They must be women over age 25 who have completed at least 60 college credits.

Loans for Moms Returning to School

You may not be able to get your entire college education funded with grants and scholarship (although you should certainly try) but there are loans that can help to cover the balance. The best loans are federal student loans based on need. You should fill out a FAFSA to determine your eligibility.

Breathing a sigh of relief now that your funding is sorted out? Look here for help finding the best online school for you.

Tags: financial aid moms going back to school scholarships