(ARA) –  In a competitive job market, earning a degree can be the biggest single step one can take to enhance career value and earning potential. As many bask in the glow of making plans to increase their career potential, the prospect of paying for college is a sobering reality.

Few of us have funds set aside for this endeavor. In addition, the College Board's annual "Trends in College Pricing" reports a rise in tuition costs at public and private institutions for the 2009-2010 school year. According to the report, annual tuition and fees at private four-year colleges rose 4.4 percent to $26,273, and public university costs rose 6.5 percent to $7,020.

Prospective students often don't know where to start. But take heart; Darlene Violet, director of Financial Aid at Brown Mackie College – Akron, Ohio,  offers advice on funding your education. "The U.S. Department of Education distributes $96 billion a year in grants, work-study assistance, and low-interest loans," Violet says. "Every student begins the process of seeking financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, known as the 'FAFSA.'" Information submitted on the FAFSA form determines the amount a student may receive through a federal Pell Grant, which is based on financial need. The recent economic stimulus program increased Pell Grant funds by $500 per student. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Beyond completing the FAFSA, many turn next to student loans. "An education is always a good investment," says Violet, "but many people don't realize the loans must be paid back starting six months after leaving school. I advise students to seek out and apply for scholarships." Wide varieties of organizations offer scholarships, from fraternities and sororities to community groups, foundations, and corporations. Winning candidates receive funds based on a vast spectrum of criteria, including ethnicity and cultural heritage. "Students just don't take the time to find them," Violet continued. "It can be a lot of work." Read this article »

People all over America are feeling the financial crunch of a failing economy. For too many adults, this means putting off higher education for better times. You may not know this but there is no better time than now to start working toward that degree. With all of the financial aid options available today, a lack of funds is no longer a viable excuse for procrastination.

The first step to going back to school is to choose a course of study and a school. Many people don’t realize that most of the same financial aid options available for on-campus programs are also available for online degree programs and distance learning degrees.  Once you’ve done that, the admissions counselors will help you to explore all of your options for financial aid including federal and state grants, scholarships, and student loans.

Not sure how to apply for financial aid? No problem. Get online and fill out a Free Application for Student Aid, also known as a FAFSA. Your FAFSA application will apply you for any aid you are eligible for and have opted to use. You can get grants, loans, and some scholarships by filling out this one form. The website has a list of all of the information needed to completely fill out your FAFSA as well as worksheets to help you through the process. If you run into anything you don’t understand, the website has a FAQ section and provides excellent customer service through email or by calling their 800 number.

PELL grants should be any would-be student’s first option for financial aid. A PELL grant comes form the federal government. The great thing about these is that as long as you don’t drop out or fail, you don’t ever have to pay them back. The Pell Grant is sponsored by the US Department of Education, and the amount of funds you receive is based on your financial situation and needs. There are other grants available for specific minorities and professions that should be researched. Your first choice for financial aid should always be a grant as opposed to a loan. Read this article »

Although bad economic news may make it seem like this is a bad time for single mothers to return to the classroom, that simply is not true. Women all over America are seeking the help of the federal government through educational grants and loans. Here are a few of those.

Pell Grants

These grants are about to be expanded for low income students. In fact, this was the first bill the president introduced in the beginning of his administration. It will bring the maximum allowable Pell grant from $4,050 to $5,100. President Obama is working hard to bring it up to $5,400. The extended Pell Grant is one of the best single mom’s government grants for college.

Tax Credit Programs

Single mothers should also consider educational tax credit. For instance, The American Opportunity Tax Credit program is designed to make sure that the first $4,000 of any American’s higher education is free. This program will accept the prior year’s tax return and will require 100 hours of community service in exchange for the advantage.

How Do I Get a Grant?

The first thing you have to do is choose a college, then fill out a federal FAFSA form. If you want to make sure you apply for all the scholarships and grants available to you as a single mother, you might want to check out scholarship services that will help match you to your ideal grant.

I Don’t Have Time for Traditional Classes–Are There Grants for Me?

You can still get Pell Grants and many others if you cannot attend classes in a traditional setting. Online colleges are also included in the federal aid programs. If you are in doubt, check with a scholarship matching program and see first what you qualify for, and next what kinds of programs it covers.

It may surprise you how much money is out there for you. Not only that, more funds may be available as time goes one. Keep your eye on the news for word of scholarship and grant advances from the Obama administration, and by all means get out there and start applying for your program of choice.

Since President Obama recentl approved an increase in Federal Pell Grants, enrollment in college degree programs has increased. 

Obama improves Grants and Scholarships

Federal Pell Grants will now cover up to $5,500 for each year of a college education!  And, they may be used for online degree programs, as well as for traditional on-campus programs.   These grants will allow as many as 7 million people return to school to earn a college degree.  Why don’t you become one of those people?

Find Free College Money!

The single one thing that holds people back from earning a college degree is usually money.  Many people don’t realize that scholarships, grants, and financial aid are available – even for online degree programs. 

There are several places to start when searching for financial aid.  First, complete and submit the FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  This is generally required by any entity considering you for financial aid. 

Next, inquire at every school at which you are interested in applying as to what type of financial aid they may offer for students such as yourself.  There are often many options available that you may not have considered. 

Finally, apply for every program for which you may possibly qualify.  Some of the scholarship matching programs are extremely helpful when searching for financial aid.  Need money for college?Use FastWeb’s free scholarship search to find information on more than 600,000 scholarships!