If you are a single mom thinking about going back to school, President Obama had good news for you in his State of the Union speech.

Last night, Obama urged Congress to renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. One of the elements of this new bill is increasing the Pell Grant, a grant that helps people who have financial need pay for school. These are definitely the best grants for single moms, since many have a lower family income.

In addition to grants, Obama announced that the administration plans to give $10,000 in higher education tax credits and implement a program that will limit student loan payments to ten percent of a graduate’s income.

Scholarships for Single Mothers

In addition to federal aid, single mothers have other avenues besides federal grants to pay for school.  There are many scholarships out there that are specifically for single mothers, single parents or women.  Some of these include:

• The Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund: Low income women over 35 are eligible to apply for this $2000 award.
• Many counties and states, such as Arkansas, give scholarships to single parents; for more information visit your state’s education Web site.
• Several colleges offer single parent scholarships as well; when looking at schools ask if they offer these.

Online College: A Convenient Option for Busy Moms

Money is not all that single moms have little of; time is also difficult to come by especially if you work and have children.  However, with online college, a degree can be yours.

Online degree programs allow you take classes at home, which means that you do not have to find or pay for a babysitter. They also have the added benefit of having flexible schedules – you study when you have time, perhaps when the kids are asleep.

Federal grants for college, online education, and scholarships for single mothers make getting a degree possible and affordable.  A better life for you and your children is within your reach.