Today’s guest article is provided by Tracy Fletcher.
The facts are irrefutable. On average, people with more education make more money, and no one needs money more than a mom working to provide for her family. While most mothers are aware of this fact, many do not have the extra cash available to invest in a college degree and may spend years working at jobs that pay minimum wages. However, moms who wish to return to school can actually do so even if their budget is quite limited. The trick is to find grants, or free money, to help with the cost of completing a degree program. Moms with a dream of going back to school in order to provide sufficient financial support for their families might find the following opportunities helpful:
Assistance from the Government
Because the US Government recognizes that education will increase potential earnings and give many women the opportunity to get off of welfare and food stamp rolls, it funds a variety of grants to assist women who wish to go back to school. This money can be obtained through filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Some of the most popular grants include Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, and some moms will qualify for more than one type of assistance.
Privately Funded Grant Opportunities
Some private foundations have made it their mission to provide grants that would make it easy for women to further their education. The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund, for instance, has been providing money to women who show academic potential for over 25 years. The American Association of University Women also has several grants set aside for female applicants, and the Barbara Lee Foundation designates grants through their Women in Politics Program. The Jeannette Rankin Foundation also provides money to moms in low income brackets who want to go back to school for more training, and the Whitehead Scholarship Program for Women offers grants to moms interested in a health field.
Corporate Sponsors of Grants for Women
Businesses, both large and small, recognize the value of training women for the workforce. Moms interested in returning to school for more training should check out the grants offered by these corporations:
• ExxonMobil Grants for Women and Girls
• Avon Foundation Grants
• Huggies Mom Inspired Grant Program
• Talbots Women’s Scholarship Fund
• Verizon Foundation
• Union Bank
• Target
• Wells-Fargo
The key to getting the funds to pay for all aspects of a college degree, often including childcare and transportation, is to apply for as many of these grants as time allows. Some may only be for a small amount of money, but these can add up to a significant sum when lumped together. Moms should also check their specific states because some of these also offer some wonderful grant opportunities, and federal money is sometimes funneled through the states.
About the Author:
Today’s guest article comes from Tracy Fletcher. She writes for StudentGrants.org and believes moms should take the time to apply for grants to help them fulfill their ambitions to go back to school.