by Willette
| Picture from THE DAY I BECAME A SINGLE MOM |
Much like playing an intense whac-a-mole game – childrearing; maid: cooking, cleaning messes; coaching, teaching, chauffeuring, judging, mediating, nursing, managing the household and working as many as two, maybe three jobs (whew!), to provide for her family - single mothers have a colossal job. Juggling the multiple demands can leave a mother (even single grandmothers raising grand children) “breathless” First Lady Michelle Obama shared in her book Becoming, about feeling a bit like an overwhelmed single mother when her loving and caring husband was mostly on the road pursuing his political career.
Consequently, single mothers, some of whom are in that position from a spouse passing (read Susan's moving story re her husband passing via the link under the picture), or through divorce, often suspend completing high school or pursuing a higher education. And, their mantras become, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” “I’ll do it next year,” or “I’ll do it when the kids are grown.” Whether today, tomorrow or when the kids are grown, usually, the major hurdle to furthering her education is financial. “Single mothers often spend over half of their income on housing expenses and a third on child care, leaving them with less money for educational expenses,” according to singlemotherguide.com.
According to the same guide, “80 percent of single-parent families are headed by single mothers — nearly a third live in poverty,” and demographic stats show that, “Around half (49.5%) of single mothers have never married, almost a third (29.9%) are divorced, 20.5% are either separated or widowed. Half have one child, 30% have two. About two thirds are White, one third Black” and “13.9% of single mothers didn’t complete high school.”
So how can single moms find a way to make childrearing responsibilities and school work? With some assistance. And, it’s good to know that there is plenty of assistance. We’re not talking about loans. Considering the trillion dollar student loan debt chasing hundreds of thousands of college graduates, we’re talking about scholarships and grants. As you may know, neither of these forms of “assistance” needs to be repaid. They’re FREE, FREE, FREE. So, on that note, here are some resources and scholarships designated specifically for single mothers.
Magic, Miracles & Blessings,
Willette
HIGH
SCHOOL COMPLETION ASSISTANCE
Federal TRIO Programs’ Upward Bound for completing high school and supports participants in their preparation for college entrance.
The Excel Center, Washington, DC
The Excel Centers, which are an auxiliary of Goodwill, are public charter schools that offer –
· a path to a high school diploma (rather than GED), as well as industry-recognized certifications, and
· post-graduate education at select sites.
Excel Centers provide flexible schedules and wrap-around supports for students ages 17 to 50, according to their website.
 |
| http://www.phsnewspaper.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/scholarships.jpg |
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE
Jeannette Rankin Foundation, Inc.
Deadline: February 26, 2022 (and every year thereafter. So, if you can’t apply for the 2022 deadline try 2023, 2024, 2025 try, try, try, try….again!!!Amount: $8,000
Annually, “Jeannette Rankin Foundation awards scholar grants to individuals who demonstrate financial need, identify as women, ages 35 and older, who are U.S. citizens, or permanent residents, pursuing an undergraduate education or a trade skills certification at an accredited college or university in the United States. Scholar Grants are renewable for up to 5 years and distributed directly to the recipient.”
*****
The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA)
offers a number of scholarships aimed at women who are primary sources of support for their families. Their Women In Transition scholarship “is designated for a woman who is the primary source of support for her family and is enrolling as an incoming freshman to earn a Bachelors degree in Accounting. It is awarded for up to $16,000 over four years as determined by the Board of Trustees and will be renewed annually upon completion of satisfactory course work as evidenced by a 3.0 GPA.Single moms definitely meet that criterion,” according to their website.
Application opened January 1, 2022
Deadline: April 30 each year. (Again, if you can’t apply for the 2022 deadline, try 2023, 2024,2025 try, try, try, try….again!)Amount: $1,000 to $16,000 a year
*****
Live Your Dream: Education & Training Awards for Women
The Soroptimist International of the Americas “Live Your Dream” initiative also provides monetary assistance to women who are the primary source of financial support for their families.
Deadline: November 15, 2022. Sign up on their website and they will send an email when the application opens on August 1st, 2022.
Amount: $1,000 to $10,000
*****
provides “need-based” grants to low-income individuals, such as single moms, free tuition assistance. Their website says, “Students may use their grants at any one of approximately 5,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Grant amounts are dependent on: the student's expected family contribution…; the cost of attendance (as determined by the institution); the student's enrollment status (full-time or part-time); and whether the student attends for a full academic year or less.”
HELPFUL RESOURCE
SingleMoms.com - provides Education, Legal Advice, Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance, and Health Resources in nearly 50 states.
No comments:
Post a Comment