What Steps to Take When Seeking Single Parent School Grants

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

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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