College Scholarships Help Single Parents Earn Their Degree

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 17:05:55 EST

Single-parent homes are practically becoming the norm in today's society, and the stress carried by these strong individuals managing the roles of both parents seems to be taking a toll on the family unit. It is currently estimated that there are over 13 million single parents in the United States.

Abandonment, death, divorce or separation constitute the bulk of the circumstances behind why so many families are left with one parent in the household. Single parents shoulder the sole responsibility of providing financially and emotionally for their kids and this can be a daunting prospect in these economic times. A single parent is considered to be the custodial guardian when the child lives with and is provided primarily for by them, so even though the other parent might be in the picture, that doesn't change the burden placed upon the single parent.

Being a single parent implies sacrifice on the parent's part, and they often sacrifice their personal education in order to maintain and provide for their families. This doesn't have to be an either/or situation as by going back to school and furthering your education you are positioning yourself for increased financial success.

The government provides assistance to those desiring to go back to school to better themselves and thus their financial situation. They also offer grants to accommodate the need for providing a stable environment for the child; furthermore, government grants can assist with childcare, housing and other factors.

Correlations have been found between single-parent households and other destructive behaviors, such as drug and substance abuse, increased teen pregnancies and higher incarceration rates. To combat these statistics it is essential for single parents to recognize that by improving their educational standpoint, they establish an environment more conducive to nurturing young minds both financially and emotionally.

If you are considering continuing your education, one of the first things you must do is apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid); this application determines your financial need. One must also visit their local city hall to fill out applications in order to establish whether the government can assist by offering other need-based grants to the individual.

One should not stop there either; investigate the institutions you're considering applying for to determine whether they offer their own grants specifically designed for the single parent or any other criteria that applies to you personally. The Internet is also a wonderful resource for obtaining information on a variety of grant programs sponsored by private or non-profit corporations.

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College Scholarships Help Single Parents Earn Their Degree