The recession has struck families in ways they never could have imagined. Even dual-income families are having problems paying their bills, often depleting their savings to keep up with the mortgage, insurance and other rising costs. When this happens there are two savings accounts that end up going dangerously near zero; retirement accounts and any 529 or other account set up for their children’s college. This is even more devastating with a single mom and why an education, often with the help of single mother grants, help in more ways than just school.
These hardships don’t mean parents should sink into despair. Many colleges, both online and on campus, have recognized the needs of families who have to boost their income potential yesterday. They have created a series of options that will help parents advance their positions through complete classroom-based or online degree programs.
Online schools realize heads of households who are unable to keep up with their bills feel like they are running the Red Queen’s race, i.e., running as fast as they can just to not slide back. These feelings become compounded if a parent is among the unemployed. Stress places increased pressure on their job seeking efforts, and recruiters and supervisors can sense that like the plague. Recruiters find this a major deficit. Supervisors may give their charges some sympathy, but not if worsens their productivity.
The situation isn’t completely hopeless. Parents want to get out this rat race have to sit down and plan long range though. Those who use what little free time they have productively to complete online courses may be able to retain a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. It can also help them approach a job search with new ammunition.
For starters, parents in college are able to learn the emerging trends both in their chosen industry and in the education sector. The former will help them when it’s time to be promoted. The latter will enable them to help their children when it is their time to get a degree.
Research has show that parents who continue their education with online classes strengthen their relationship with their children. Kids see how hard their parents are working, and often go the extra mile around the house, doing chores before they have to be told and even doing things that were the parents’ responsibility. This helps eliminate much of the tensions many families face.
Online schools can provide a number of services to make things easier on the parents. Many have on staff career counseling services. This not only includes helping find other companies to work for, but also these counselors will teach the student how to tweak their resumes and tout their qualifications in order to become more desirable to employers. Another thing these schools have is on staff financial aid advisors. There are a number of grants and scholarships available that are specifically designed for the working parent, and these professionals can help household breadwinners tap into them.
After all, these days few and far between truly know what the next day holds for them. Fortunately, to ease some of the burden, there are single mothers grants and scholarships that help change the course of many lives. Finding online grants and scholarships is a first step for going back to school.
Author: Natasha Bright
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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