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How is it possible to go back to school and pay your bills?

Posted: May 9, 2010

I really want to go back to school but I am a single mom with a mortgage. Has anyone in my situation gone back to school? Does anyone know of any aid or programs to pay for school and help me pay my bills? I think I am living in La La Land thinking I can do this!!!

;

I did. Raised 2 kids alone, worked FT and FT school. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You should apply for financial aid (FASFA):

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

This will determine your financial need status and give you any federal grants (you don't have to repay a grant).

Be very, very careful of the student loans you take out though. It will cost you dearly later as you are liable for those for life until paid in full.

If you are going into nursing or teaching, you may be able to get into a loan forgiveness program (you work in certain areas or meet certain conditions and they forgive/pay off a % of your loans).

Apply for scholarships. Research scholarships and grants for single parents, etc.

You can do it. I did. You just have to have a lot of energy, determination, the right priorities, and dedicate yourself to the process.

Good luck.

going back to school - Tara

[ In Reply To ..]
Do what the other poster said about financial aid and if your financial situation warrants it, you will qualify for the grants as well and then basically after your tuition/books/fees are paid, the school will release the rest of the money for you to pay for your bills. Depending on the school, how much you receive in financial aid and grants, and how many credits you take and how expensive your books are, you could receive up to $3500 back every semester, that's what I get. Also, some schools offer daycare grants that assist you with your daycare bill (my college does).

I am and you can do it if you are careful - StartrekMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I too am a single mom but I pay rent. I am going back for my master's so I am on all loans. I tried to transcribe, go to school and raise my son but I got so bogged down with everything my transcribing got less and less, and so did my grades! So, I tried this last semester just to do school. My loan money comes quarterly. So, before it came in I made sure to afford a rent, and only have internet, lights, water, car insurance, cell. I keep everything to a minimum. When I get my loan refund after tuition, I pay the rent ahead of time until the next loan disbursement is due. This makes the home secure and my landlord happy and me secure. Then, I do the same with the tv/internet, water, and I pay the lights and by putting the amount I figure for the next couple of months for each in an envelope and mark "lights, cable, etc." (cash). Every 2 weeks is the child support and I figure that totally for groceries and maybe something nice for my son (silly bands, clay). Then, I take the small amount left over for emergencies and leave in my student account. The only time I can really go spending is Good Will (tea cup hunting) once a week or twice monthly on my day out for me, which is fun. My son goes to visitation and his dad and grandma take him places, and they help that way.
Someday I may try fitting part work again into my schedule but I find there is less stress by planning ahead on a fixed income. I guess it is the way I will have to live b/c once the loans come due, well, I'll live as an old lady on my job and by the time the loans are paid off I will be in heaven! Hope these ideas help. Good luck to you.

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