Thinking about pursuing your degree through distance learning?  Worried about how you will pay the tuition and any other costs involved? You may qualify for a scholarship, grant or other type of financial aid.  Distance education degrees are no different, in terms of funding, than on-campus degree programs.  Of course the online degree program must be accredited, but the same holds true for traditional degrees.

All of the traditional types of financial aid are available: Scholarships, grants, and student loans.  What are they and how do they work?

Scholarships:

Scholarships do not have to be repaid.  They are personalized forms of financial aid available for students with particular strengths in academic, artistic, or athletic fields. In addition, students from underrepresented minority groups or students in financial need may also be eligible to receive scholarships. 

Consult with the various schools with programs in which you have interest to determine if they offer scholarships for students in your situation.

Grants:

Grants do not have to be repaid.  Pell Grants are a type of educational grant that is often awarded to students by the Federal government. To receive a Pell Grant, students must meet certain qualifications that have been determined by the government.

Student Loans:

Student loans must be repaid.  There are several types of educational loans available from the Federal government. Two major categories of federal education loans are:

• Student loans (Stafford loans and Perkins loans)

Stafford loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized Stafford loans are awarded to students based on their financial need. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are not based on financial need.
Perkins Loans are low-interest loans borrowed directly from your school with federal assistance.

• Parent loans (PLUS loans)

  PLUS loans are awarded to parents of students who qualify as dependents

To apply for any form of federal financial aid, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.)  Do this as early as possible.

Students should complete the FAFSA on the Web worksheet prior to filling out the FAFSA; it will make the process go much more smoothly.

Single working mom’s face many challenges when trying to increase their credentials with a college degree.  On one hand, a college or university degree will enable the single mom to earn more in most cases.  A career diploma in a growth sector is also a great way to go to earn more. 

However, both of these options may require a lot of time away from the kids.  In addition to the cost of tuition, there’s child care and transportation costs to consider.  Time off the job, may be another cost to obtaining a degree.

One way that a single mother can overcome some of these, if not all, obstacles is an online distance education degree program.  There are online degrees in virtually every subject and industry. 

An online program allows the student to study at their own pace, from anywhere they have access to a computer with an Internet connection.  This type of program allows a working mother to earn a degree without having to get child care.  And, normally, there is no travel, and no need to take off work.  You can earn a degree while still meeting your work and family obligations.

There are so many programs from which to choose.  Some online degree programs may be completed much faster than an on-campus program, if the student is motivated.  There are also career diploma programs in areas like paralegal; veterinary assisting; physical therapy aide; pharmacy technician; and many more -  that offer the chance to earn a career diploma quickly and start a new career or improve your position in your current career.  

If you are a single working mother who wants to get ahead, check into some of the online distance education degrees.  You’ll be glad you did.