| Single mothers are returning to college in droves. | | | | offers a number of different scholarships that are |
| With that return comes unique challenges and hurdles | | | | viable alternatives to student loans for single parents |
| that women need to overcome. Student loans for | | | | returning to school. |
| single parents returning to school can be both | | | | They are offering a new scholarship based on a |
| confusing and overwhelming if some basic processes | | | | scoring system developed by their Board of |
| aren't followed. | | | | Directors. Its application process will allow awards for |
| The majority of single parent women work full time | | | | higher scholarship and grant amounts to applicants. |
| with an estimated 45.5% working multiple jobs to | | | | They also have a Student Loan Repayment Grant |
| make ends meet. They are juggling childcare costs, | | | | that is awarded to professional single parent women |
| which eats up about 1/3 of their weekly salary. | | | | with outstanding student loan debt who contribute |
| Nearly 38% of single mothers are head-of-household | | | | through volunteer work. Their Scholarship For |
| holding down everything on their own. Many live at or | | | | Continuing Education is available to single parent |
| below the federal poverty level, and education | | | | women who would like to continue with their |
| provides a way for them to both advance in their | | | | education, but have been denied sufficient resources. |
| jobs and provide a better level of living for their | | | | The "Child of a Single Parent Woman Scholarship" is |
| families. In spite of these difficulties many single | | | | designed to reduce the financial burden of paying for |
| parent women return to school while working full | | | | college that single parent women face when they still |
| time. It also means that they have little to know time | | | | have minor children. |
| to fill out a bunch of forms. | | | | Another example of an organization available for |
| As with everyone, the place to start is the FASFA | | | | single parents is Chase Bank who offers the Chase |
| organization which has streamlined the process and | | | | Education One Continuing Education Loan, which is |
| taken it online. This means that applying can be | | | | similar to the Sallie Mae loan but it's available to single |
| accomplished 24 hours a day, seven days a week via | | | | parents who can only attend school part time. With |
| the Internet. Via a secured website located at | | | | approved credit or a cosigner, these single parent |
| fasfa.gov, women can apply in the middle of the | | | | student loans can be obtained in sums of up to |
| night while their children sleep. Filling out the FASFA | | | | $30,000 per academic year. |
| form is the first step towards accessing the finances | | | | Like anything, there are a number of grants, loans |
| of the single mother and ascertaining how much help | | | | and scholarships out there for single mothers trying |
| is needed to allow her to pursue her dream. The EFC | | | | to continue their education. It is just a process of |
| or Expected Family Contribution can be computed | | | | getting started with the application process at |
| and then applications for other grants and loans can | | | | FASFA, taking the suggestions given to everyone |
| be implemented. In addition to the Stafford, Perkins | | | | including the Stafford, Perkins and LoanPlus loans and |
| and Sallie Mae loans, there are also many other loans | | | | looking around through Google, and others for grants |
| and grants available. | | | | and scholarships tailored to particular needs. One |
| There are a number of good websites offering | | | | would be surprised at the amount of aid available |
| information on loans, grants and scholarships like and | | | | with a little research. |
| For instance, Raise The Nation is an organization that | | | | |