Author Archives: Pieter West

The New Face of Single Parenting – Black Males

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When two people get together to create new life, it is not generally the intention that only one of the individuals will take full responsibility for raising the child. Whether the child was conceived within or outside of wedlock, single parenting is generally not the objective. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule. But generally speaking, either things don’t work out between the two parents, or, in the case of unwanted pregnancy, the child can start life out with only one parent to begin with.

Traditional Single Parenting

Traditionally, female single parents (mothers) have been much more common than male single parents (fathers). In child custody cases courts have generally favored mothers over fathers. In the past, it was not uncommon for people to assume that a single father must be a widower, because otherwise the children would simply be with their mother.

Single Fathers

More and more males are stepping up to their roles as dads. Joint single parenting is one of the most common ways that fathers are staying involved in their children’s lives. This is done when both the single father and single mother share custody and care of their children. The time is simply divided up between the two homes.

Increased male involvement, however, combined with increased female pursuit of career has also led to growing ranks of single fathers as primary caregivers. Many don’t know this, but there are single father grants available to help dads who are raising children alone. It is becoming increasingly common to see single fathers taking full responsibility for the care of their children, whether the mother is involved in the kids’ lives or not.

There are other, less happy circumstances under which fathers are the ones doing the single parenting. These situations involve cases where the mother may be deemed (by a court or by her own self) unsuitable to care for her own children. Single parenting grants can be very helpful in these situations, especially if the mother is not able to contribute financially to the raising of her children.

Black Males and Single Parenting

Black males, like white males, are stepping up to the plate in terms of raising their children. Federal assistance and single parenting grants make raising children alone seem feasible to black males who might otherwise be scared to take on such a huge responsibility. Black males, as well as white males and females in general, are more generally accepted as suitable single parents than they ever were before. Black males as single fathers have more rights today, (inside the courtroom and outside of it) than they ever did before. Likewise, females are less harshly judged for allowing the father to take full responsibility for child rearing in child custody cases. The changing face of single parenting is making it easier and easier for loving fathers as well as career minded mothers to take on non-traditional roles that work in the best interest of the children.

Author: Pieter West
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Where to Find the Best Scholarships For Single Parents

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Returning to school can be made easier by applying for scholarships for single parents. These allow you to study without worrying about paying back a loan.

Single parents have a difficult time of it, being the sole breadwinner and also having to parent their children. These dedicated, hardworking people make up nearly 10% of the population, or over 12 million families in the US. Unfortunately, most of them could hold better jobs if they were able to further their education, but in many cases, there simply is no extra money to go toward a parent’s tuition. Scholarships for parents have become a lifesaver, offering hope to those who thought they would never be able to return to school to improve their lot in life.

Single parents grants for school mean that a single parent is able to pay for their education, usually while continuing to hold down a job and care for their children. It isn’t an easy way to go, but the benefits are definitely worth it. With a university education, it is possible to get paid more or even switch to a far better job. The single mom or dad who goes back to school is also setting a good example for their children who will understand the importance of higher education.

What is a Scholarship?

It’s important to distinguish a scholarship or grant from a student loan. Student loans are just that: borrowed money that you will have to pay back. Taking out a student loan should be an absolute last resort for single parents as it can put you into a lifetime of debt.

Scholarships, on the other hand, are like gifts. They are a one time (or sometimes given over a period of time) donation toward the person’s schooling and do not need to be paid back. This makes scholarships very useful for studying.

Where to Find Scholarships for Single Parents

While there are literally thousands of scholarships available, by narrowing your search down to just single parent grants for school, you increase your chances of getting the one you apply for. Single parents will find that there are a number of available options. You can find information online at websites which list available scholarships. Another option is to speak with a guidance counselor or dean at the school you wish to attend. They should have a list of scholarships that you can apply for, as well.

Your best bet will be government grants which are designed to help single parents get an education. Single parent grants for school will have some stiff competition, so make sure you apply for everything you qualify for and fill in all the paperwork correctly. Often your school of choice will be able to help you in this area, as well.

It might take a little work on your part, but if you get one of the many scholarships for single parents that are available, it could change your outlook on life. It is worth taking the time to see what is available to you. Try to win a parent grant that will allow you to return to school without worrying about the financial feasibility of it all.

Author: Pieter West
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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What Steps to Take When Seeking Single Parent School Grants

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Considering going to college to earn your degree? If so, then you will also have to find a way to pay for it. Thankfully, there are many different single parent school grants available to help.

If you are thinking of taking out a student loan in order to help you pay for college, it is a good idea to first search out some single parent school grants which do not have to be paid back. This article will cover a few of the more popular parent scholarships and grants available to give you a better idea of the options you have for paying for your college degree.

The first of the many single parent school grants that we will be taking a look at in this article is probably the most well known program available for paying for secondary education, the Federal Pell Grant. These are typically awarded to those who are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree or in some cases a graduate degree if you are pursuing a degree in teaching. This Pell grant is considered to be the foundation of all other single parent grants for school. The maximum amount you stand to earn from this program increase each year, but generally you can expect to receive as much as $4,731 (taken from the 2008-2009 academic year).

Another of the many single parent school grants available is the TEACH Grant which was first introduced by congress very recently in 2007. This is a program that offers to pay up to $4,000 a year to those who are interested in pursuing a degree in teaching in public or private schools for low income families. If you think this is the program for you, simply contact the financial aid office at your college and they will provide you with some more information on how to see if you qualify.

One of the lesser known single parent grants for school is what is known as the Federal Supplement Educational Opportunity Grant or FSEOG for short. This program was developed for people with a major need for financial help, such as those with the lowest expected financial contribution. From this program you can expect to receive anywhere from $100 to $4,000 a year depending on a number of factors such as the date you apply, how much you need, how much funding your college receives, and other policies peculiar to your college’s financial aid office.

The last of the single parent school grants we will look at is the Academic Competitiveness Grant which is offered to first or second year college students depending on the year they graduated from high school. With this grant you stand to receive either $750 or $1,300.

As you can see, there are many options available to you when you are searching for single parent scholarships and grants. The first step you have to take, no matter what program you plan on applying for is to fill out the FAFSA form.

Author: Pieter West
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Single Parent Grants For Continuing Education

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With all the time commitments and financial responsibilities a parent has when they are on their own, the last thing they usually think they can afford is college. Fortunately, the there are now grants for single parents funded by the government which can make going back to school a lot more affordable. Earning your degree is perhaps the most important thing you can do in order to improve your life, and depending on your current financial situation you may qualify for many different programs. In order to apply, simply contact the Financial Aid department of the school you are attending.

The best thing about single parent grants for education is that unlike student loans which must be paid back, grants for single parents are given to you with no strings attached. One of the best known and easy to qualify for financial assistance programs is the National Pell Grant. The eligibility for this grant is determined for the most part by your financial situation. As long as you meet the income guidelines you will usually qualify. The amount you stand to receive from these program can be anywhere from $400 to $4500, but it is difficult to place a cap on it as it is always being raised.

This and many other single parent grants may be applied for by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as a FAFSA form. This form is the standard for all institutions in order to determine your financial eligibility to receive federal assistance. After filling out the form, you may also be required to discuss your financial situation in detail with an admissions officer. If you do indeed qualify to receive this financial aid, it will be paid directly to the educational institution where you will be attending. This way you don’t have to go through the bother of cashing a check and paying them directly.

Because loans must be paid back eventually, Pell Grants for single parents are a much more preferable way to pay for your education. As such this should be the first program you look at when applying for college. There are no hidden fees to pay and the money is given freely to low income individuals. Another option you may want to look into is a work-study program, but this is not always the best route for parents who are already overworked.

You may also find that some Graduate programs will offer to pay your tuition for you. There are usually stipulations involved however, such as enrolling in particular fields of study and being a full time student. Other places to turn to for single parent grants include churches, employers, and certain charities.

Hopefully this short article has given you a better understanding of what single parent grants are available and the steps you must take in order to apply.

Author: Pieter West
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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