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 single mom needs money for college
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| Author | Topic: single mom needs money for college |
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erinsloan New Member |
posted 01-20-2003 09:38 AM
  
hi, i'm new here. i need some info of money for college. i live in pennsylvania. i know a few people who went to college for free, the government paid for it all. i cant seem to find any info. i anyone can help me i would appricate it. thanks. erin |
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shawn single dad |
posted 01-20-2003 10:38 AM
The federal government does provide grants (free money) and administers student loans (no interest and no payments until after graduation). You fill out a federal student loan application from the financial aid office at your school and depending upon your income you get a package of grants and loans to cover the cost of the immediate semester. The federal government does not pay for it all, but you can take the grant money and decline the loans if you wish. Some states have programs for those on welfare, administered through the state's social services (welfare) office. I don't think these will cover a four year program but probably a one to two year program. One thing is you could use the welfare program (if you have a child and you qualify for some state assistance) for the first year or two and then use the federal grant/loan program to cover the last few years. |
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KrissiJo Member |
posted 01-20-2003 07:46 PM
In Massachusetts, I, of course had to make several phone calls to find out about someone who could help me. I finally found a place called a One Stop Career Center. It is extremely helpful-that is where I am getting money to go back to school. Try www.ajb.org -- this is a job site for the entire country but if I recall correctly it does have a section to find a career center near you. I won't go into all the details of what it has on the site but it is well worth checking out. There is also something here called the Montachusett Opportunity Council (Moc) which is for MA but maybe you have something in PA. This company will help find childcare and place your children and will charge you for childcare by percentage of what you make. Keep looking and keep asking people...the government doesn't just love to give away money. I read a book(can't remember what it was called) that said when you talk to different agencies like the welfare department, they like you to be intimidated and hope you get scared off but if you go in there knowing what you want and knowing you can get it, the roles will be reversed and you'll intimidate them. Good Luck...Help is out there!! |
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original_pet Member |
posted 01-20-2003 08:15 PM
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm is the official site for the Federal Student Loan application and information. I would fill this out as soon as possible because the sooner you get it in the more you will be able to get is what I have heard. After you have it filled out stop by the financial aid office at the school you want to goto. When you go to the financial aid office, tell them you have never done this before and you want to make sure everything is OK. From this point, every school will pretty much have a different type of procedure, I think. I'm not sure how your state works but I would also stop by the Health and Human Services Office and fill out an application so I could speak with a person about the diffrent programs they have... like food stamps and free daycare. Don't let the people or the application intimidate you! The first time is the hardest, after this time I guarantee you will know what is going on and will be telling people how to put stuff in their computers, then you will be intimidating THEM. I've only been going to school full time for 3 semesters and I already have the hang of it. |
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Amanda Member |
posted 01-25-2003 01:46 PM
The FAFSA application IS the application you need to fill out to get a federal pell grant. I actually found the FAFSA on the web application a lot less intimidating that filling out the paperwork by hand! It has been my experience that the school staff is helpful and friendly when it comes to speaking with them about student financial aid. As a single parent, chances are that you will get your tuition and books (and then some) completely paid for so long as you go to a state university. They also take living expenses into consideration. Last summer, I ended up paying out of pocket for books, but my grant ended up more than making up for that during full semesters. You are going to need to choose a college, apply, visit the financial aid office (and fill out any paperwork they need other than your FAFSA application), take any entry exams you need to (SAT/ACT, individual state exams if yours has one), register...the biggest pain in the butt is getting started, but after that, it's easy. Through your FAFSA application, you can enter that you are interested in a student job provided by your campus. Unfortunately, these jobs typically don't pay more than minimum wage and there is a limit to how many hours you can work (so that your job doesn't conflict with school...20 hours/wk is the limit where I live). If you live near a military installation, I highly recommend applying for a student job on the installation through the STEP program (you'll be a civil service employee, not military). I can't think of a better student-hire program...and everyone I know who has been hired through the STEP program has loved their job! I don't know of any part-time student jobs that pay or work around your school schedule better. If you live near a military installation and are interested in more information, let me know and I'll give it to you. In addition to federal pell grants, once you've got good grades under your belt, you can begin to apply for scholarships. Many colleges have married student housing that single parents qualify to use. If you live in student housing, you have the option of paying for room AND board...meaning that you can pay for your food (3 meals a day on campus) along with your rent. There are also a lot of colleges that have daycares on campus. You may end up with more options than you imagined. Good luck! Going back to school is totally worth it! |
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vickieaw New Member |
posted 12-19-2006 08:15 AM
I am trying to get my B.A. and I applied for financial aid from the fafsa website. I still owe the school $3,500 after the awarded money. My credit is ruined because of being a single parent and having to make the decision to feed my children instead of paying a bill and not having health insurance for my children. So I cannot get a loan to cover the remainder that I owe and I don't have a co-signer. Where do I find money to complete my education? I have to make a certain amount in order to pay rent and buy food so I cannot quit my job and I am not getting enough from financial aid to cover all of my school costs, so damned if I do and damned if I don't. What should I do???? |
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lexiesmom Member |
posted 12-21-2006 10:22 PM
I don't understand why you would owe the school money from financial aid. If it is grants or aid the only reason you would have to pay it back is if they overpaid you because they didn't recieve correct financial verification from you, dropped out of classes and kept the financial aid money or becuase you took out student loans. If it is studetn loans you owe the loan comp not the school and that will trash your credit if not paid. If it is loans talk them about deffering it until after you graduate as long as you go back to school and can verify you are in school they will deffer til graduation. If it is from either of the first two than the school can and will hold your records and not allow you readmission until repaid. |
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