Single parents may be entitled to government assistance to assist them in obtaining a higher education in attending college or university. Assistance may be offered in the way of grants. Grants are a form of financial assistance that does not need to be repaid. The process for obtaining grants may be complicated, but its well-worth the time spent, for the benefit of obtaining a quality education that is drastically less costly than what it could cost.
Federal and State Grant Programs for Single Parents
Those seeking financial assistance may be eligible for federal grants such as a PELL grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity grant (FSEOG). These government grants are based on financial need. If a single parent is approved for a federal grant, the college or university of choice will credit the student’s account with the funds, distributed from the proceeds of the grant. Students seeking a grant should speak to a financial advisor at their intended college or university who can point them in the right direction of assistance.
Each grant program will have different eligibility requirements. However, one deciding factor will be the single parent’s income and family size. After a determination of whether one might qualify for a rant, simply apply for the grant in accordance with the grant holder’s application process. Some private grant programs may require a student to submit an essay to assess worthiness, prior to receiving a grant.
Alternative to a Full-Time Education for Single Parents
It is an individual's decision whether to attend college on a full-time or part-time basis. For single parents, the decision is even more complicated because there may be no other source of financial support for the children. Therefore, many single parents may opt to attend school in the evenings, on the weekends, or even online. If a student chooses an alternative route to education, there may still be grants available to her. A person who is seeking information on grants should check the Grants.gov website for additional information.
Single parents are not disqualified from obtaining a higher education due to their status. In fact, they may be entitled to assistance with the cost of financing an education, in the way of grants. A financial aid officer at a school of choice may be able to guide a student in seeking the most sources for financial support.
Debrina Washington - Debrina L. Washington owns and operates her own NY-based virtual law practice, DL Washington Law. Additionally, I am a Contributing Writer ...
