How to Get Free Money for School

After women have children, many feel like going back to school is impossible. Having a full time job while supporting a family is enough to have on one’s plate, but there are tons of free money for single moms who want to go back to school to assist you in your academic endeavours. If you’re unsure of what a grant is, it’s simple, money awarded to you by different organizations that you don’t have to pay back.  Many single moms have a false misconception that grants are only given to high school kids. But we’ve created a list below to learn more about the potential opportunities you can take advantage of, if you do decide to go back to school.
College Grants
With most grants, especially federal funds granted by the government, you’re going to have to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Just type in www.fafsa.ed.gov/ and you’ll be directed to the correct website.  If you’re a single mom, you should especially focus on the “Expected Family Contribution” section, and just be sure to correctly follow each step and honestly answer every question and your school will decide if you qualify for a college grant to help you with some of your expenses.
Pell Grants
One of the most widely available grant programs for students and single moms entering college is the Federal Pell Grant program. This award is also granted to you by the government and you’ll need to fill out a FAFSA to determine your eligibility. But if you’re a single mom, you’re more than likely to get approved. In my experiences, I’ve found that not only do single moms get awarded money for school, but there’s usually a hefty amount left over to pay for living expenses or basically anything else you want to spend it on, not bad, you’re basically getting paid to go to school. Another benefit of a Pell Grant, is that you’ll keep on getting funds as long as you stay in school. For example, if it takes you eight years to finish, the money is available for eight years.
Grants for Women
There are also grants from private organizations that are awarded to single moms wanting to go back to school. The Jeanette Rankin Foundation, offers money to low-income women who are 35 or older and wish to go back to school. The $2000 grants are awarded to women who can show how a degree will be beneficial to their lives, families, and to their community as a whole.
The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting offers money to women who wish to pursue a post-graduate degree in accounting. The award ranges from $1,000 to $5,000.
The Possible Woman Foundation International offers women a second chance to pursue a higher education with $2,000 to $4,000 scholarships to underprivileged women. These educational experinces provide women all over the world information and skills to return to the work-force after they’ve completed school.
If you have an undergraduate degree and are looking to improve upon it, consider the Selected Professions Fellowships. These are sponsored by the American Association of University Women, and they offer substantial amounts of money, between $5,000 and $20,000, to women who are returning to school for graduate in a specific field, such as architecture, computer and information sciences, math and statistics, or engineering.
While many of the scholarships focus on women who are pursuing a degree in science or math, there are some for artistic women as well. For instance, the College Art Association offers $5,000 fellowships for applicants coming from communities that are marginalized from artistic professions, and the National Sculpture Society offers $1,000 to students who wish to study culture.
These are just a few of the options a single mom can take advantage of if they want to go back to school. With so much financial assistance available in regards to going back to school, why not take advantage of it, and try to create a brighter future for your family, but more important for yourself. For more information contact your financial aid advisor from your prospective school, and they can answer any questions you may have.