The Benefits of a Scholarship for Moms going back to school
If you are a mom who has been dedicated to staying home with your kids to be there with them as they grow up, you should be proud of your commitment to your children.
But that does not mean you need to give up on going back to college and getting your career on track.
Many mothers will find it tough financially to take this step, but a scholarship for single mothers, stay at moms or a scholarship for women provides vital finaicial assistance you need to go back to school.
There are big benefits to getting a scholarship and for low income women and mothers who have spent years at home raising children, a good scholarship can truly mean the difference between being able to attend school, get a qualification, and move on to employment or business opportunities that can lead to financial independence.
Whatever your hopes and dreams are, you need to be sure that you are financially ready to go to school.
Getting an education at college can make a big impact on your budget but don’t let that stop you, because there ARE ways for moms to get money without resorting to expensive student loans. College scholarships for moms are the ultimate way to have your schooling paid for, without you having to pay it back.
Scholarships are granted to students and prospective college students. Some are awarded on merit, whilst others are given to ‘minority’ groups. Mothers are often considered a minority group and some scholarships are targeted specifically to them, so that you aren’t up against thousands of other people. This gives you a great chance of ‘winning’ the money.
Juggling your family’s needs with that of your schooling can be tough and as a mom you do not want to compromise on your family budget. There are many things to pay for in college, including:
– Tuition fees
– Books
– Travel
– Software and computers
You can literally spend thousands each year just on studying and related expenses. Having a scholarship will certainly take away this massive financial burden so that you can concentrate on your studies and not on money problems.
Whilst there are some government grants that are encouraging moms to go to school, these can be very hard to get and sometimes only consist of a couple of thousand dollars. It is important to find a scholarship that will provide as much money to you as possible.
It is therefore important that you can locate college scholarships for moms that meet your needs and your situation – one that can provide the best financial aid for your college studies and for your family.
What are Scholarships?
Scholarships are simply a type of award or gift which is given to prospective students. some are given to people who have achieved something outstanding, some are given to minority groups and others are given out randomly, such as this scholarship for mothers.
You can use the scholarship money for expensive items like tuition fees and related education costs.
Grants and scholarships will give you a massive financial boost and the best thing is that you DON’T NEED TO PAY IT BACK!
Unlike a student loan which has to be paid back – these loans can put you in massive debt and can really stress you out so I advise you not to go there and instead focus on applying for as many scholarships as you can.
There is nothing more important than being financially prepared to go to college, especially if you are a mom. Getting your higher education can drain your budget, but if you plan things right then you can get college scholarships for moms that will give you free money to study.
For moms, scholarships and grants are often the ONLY hope of ever affording college or university. It can cost over $5000 per year to go to college so having that money given to you if obviously a life saver.
Why would a mom want to go back to school?
There are several reasons:
1. Gain Skills
It may have been a while since you worked full time and times do change. You can update your skills and become more employable when you do a college degree or certificate.
The skills you learn in college will let you get a good paying job that will help you provide for your family. It will also be highly rewarding for you to finally have the chance to undertake a career that you are interested in.
2. Expand Your Mind
Perhaps you are someone who likes to keep busy and learn new things. There really is no better way to do it than by going to school. When a scholarship pays for it for you it makes it considerably easier.
3. Inpire Your Children
Once your children start seeing your desire to learn and better yourself they too will be inspired to do the same in the lives. It doesn’t matter how young they are, good impressions last!
Kids who have parents who do not work or work in unsatisfying careers are much more likely to follow the same path and ultimately, end up unhappy and frustrated. It is up to you as a mother to show your kids the right way to follow their dream!
4. Earn More Money
A degree or other qualification will put you in a great position to get a high paying job. Many fields of work require specific qualifications before becoming employed and in some cases you are destined to be on a low wage forever. This is obviously not ideal if you are trying to raise a family and work at the same time!
When you have a degree you are much more likely to go straight into a job that pays well, rather than having to start at the very bottom of the ladder. It doesn’t matter what field of work you are going after, going to college puts you in a more favorable light with any potential employer.
Money Matters
Without a doubt money is the main thing that keeps moms away from college. Tuition fees alone can cost a fortune, let alone textbooks, travel and other related expenses. The only viable way for many mothers is to find a suitable scholarship.
Unfortunately most scholarships will not be open to moms as they often see you as not being committed enough to complete the degree and then get a job. The only scholarships that you might have a chance at receiving are those that are specifically aimed at moms or parents. These grants will give you the cash you need to embark on the course you’ve always dreamed of.
When you have a scholarship it can be used to pay for your tuition fees. These can be up to $10,000 or even more and often a good grant will actually cover your entire fees. This means all you have to pay for is a few text books every once in a while.
Studying Online
If you choose to study via distance learning on the internet you don’t even have to travel to college. It results in being able to spend more time with your kids, and studying at times that suit you. Even at 2am!
More and more people are taking up online degrees and education and with good reason: the qualifications are nationally recognized (sometimes internationally) and the flexibility simply can not be matched by any other method of learning.
Most large colleges and universities now offer distance education in most areas of study. It is worth asking your preferred college about these options and remember that you are not limited to campuses in your city or state – you can look all around the country for the course you are interested in if you are studying via distance!
Studying is such a rewarding experience. I can highly recommend it, and this is coming from a mother who finally decided to go back to school whilst also looking after my kids. There truly is no better feeling when you receive good marks and can see a bright future for yourself and your family.
Scholarships for mothers will take the financial stress away from attending college. Your kids will be looked after as you are not put out of pocket, and you can concentrate on your studies without worrying about having no cash to continue providing for yourself and your family.
If you are still wondering how to pay for it all, don’t worry. There are the regular government grants like the Pell Grant that you can apply for (this is increasing in value every year), but there are also private scholarship programs that would suit you.
Where to Find Scholarship Opportunities for American Moms
Finding a scholarship that is right for you is not that difficult. In fact some applications, once you’ve located them, only take a short time to fill out.
Some will require more lengthy information and details from you, whilst others act more like a lottery and are based on luck.
I advise you to apply for ALL types of scholarships to increase your chance of getting one or more (you can often use more than one at the same time).
Here is a short list of just some of the hundreds of scholarships currently open to American moms and women:
Jeanette Rankin Foundation Scholarship
Available to women aged 35 and over.
Fresh Start Scholarship
10 undergraduate female students from Delaware colleges can receive up to $2000
Possible Women Foundation Scholarship
Women up to 25 years of age can get $10,000
Other scholarships you can consider:
- Agnes Kujawa Scholarship
- Frymier Scholaship
- Evelyn Barnes Memorial Scholarship
- ATT-Bell Laboratories Graduate Research for Women
- Association for Women Veterinarian Scholarship
- American Association of University Women Project Renew Grant
- Amy R. Hughes Scholarship
- Georgina Sweet Fellowship
- Newcomb College at Tulane University Swimming Scholarship
- Virginia L. Tierney Scholarship
- Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship
- American History Scholarship for Women
- Carolina Holt Nursing Scholarship
- Berkshire Summer Fellowship
- BPW Loan Fund For Women in Engineering Studies
- Ivy Parker Memorial Scholarship
- Cady McDonnell Memorial Scholarship
- Ruth Satter Memorial Award
- Anita Borg Undergraduate Scholarship
- Talbots Women’s Scholarship Fund
- Women in Engineering Scholarship Stevens Institute
- Independent Women’s Forum Essay Contest
You can try looking for scholarships at a university, college or other educational institution. You may also be eligible for additional award programs if you are a single mom or on a low income.
Whatever you do, don’t delay your scholarship search.
