| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/4/2009 9:10:30 PM | | Esp if you have the kid(s) at home, but either way. Has it enriched or limited your life in any way? What kind of support did you qualify for? I am also curious to hear from single parents who have returned to school whether they were treated differently in any way, from social circles to discounts. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/4/2009 9:39:37 PM | i qualified for the full amount of the pell grant and in addition my state has additional grants.. about 3 k per quarter and half goes to tuiton the rest is for books and spending..
I dont find many people my age in the curriculum im in.. lots of 35+ | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/4/2009 10:03:30 PM | | unfortunately I can't get any grant money. Pell grants are the only ones available to the school I applied for, and I can't get those because I already have an undergrad. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/4/2009 10:33:04 PM | Here in Australia, we have an Education Subsidy that is paid on a pro-rata basis for single parents to attend an educational facility with the purpose of gaining skills and therefore, paid employment. This is not dependent upon the facility you attend, but the amount of effort you apply. {eg 75% + > workload receives $30 per week}
I'm also elgible for assisted child care for up to two years, in my case for just over a dollar a day. This will conclude at the end of this year as my son starts pre-grade school next February.
As single parents are not 'compelled' to undertake any form of employment or education etc until their youngest turns 7 {or it could be six - I'm not 100% sure}, I figure that I'm going to be in a position to be 'off' the system much sooner by getting into my degree while my son is still young.
As for treatment out and about?? nope, no different, just a run of the mill mature aged student (and there's a fair few of us).... who simply can't go to Pub {bar} student nights or other late functions because of caring for my child. So I'm pretty much only on campus for tutes and lectures.
And all my education over the last three years has definitely enriched the both of us, he has had the opportunity to make and mingle with friends his own age, learning independence and how to be a member of a community, I've mingled with fine folks of varying 'intellect' and look forward to contributing to society in a different way at the end of my degree. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/5/2009 5:14:34 AM | | i am currently looking into some courses through correspondence. i have very little not to mention very unreliable help as far as child care is concerned but if i do correspondence i can still further my education and still be here with the kids, also these courses will allow me to make small montly payments as opposed to getting myself into a hefty student loan debt. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/5/2009 7:03:07 AM | I'm in Canada and returning to college in September. I was in the accounting field; however, due to the recession I have decided to change careers to 'developmental services'. I had two years to plan for this...so, I'm fairly squared away, although no trips are in the foreseeable future ;) A major limitation is how this change affects my PoF chances; however, I worry little as it's not an actual issue!
Most of peers and those that know me are very supportive! For discounts, you may try 'student services' as some of the schools have very good support organizations for their students.
Peace. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/5/2009 8:37:45 AM | | I started college when I was 28 and recently divorced, at the time I did not have my daughter. I don't think I was treated any differently, it is however a strange feeling when you are one of the oldest students in your class and very hard to related to the 18-21 year olds. I now have one year to go and my daughter is 1 year old. It has a been rough at times as a single parent, but it has and will be worth it. If you are looking into going to school I would recommend and branch campus of a major university if there is one in your ares. The classes tend to be smaller, there are more non-traditional students and I have found that most of my professors(not all) are very understanding and flexible if problems and issues arise due to being a parent. Most realize that emergencies and kid issues can occur. I have also gotten a lot of encouragement from some of my professors when I was having a rough time(right after I had my daughter, I was having trouble in my classes). Instead of giving me a hard time about things they listened and convinced me that staying in school was important. So for me the entire process has been a good experience and I will finally graduate Summer 2010. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/5/2009 9:41:34 AM | I was 27, still rather new at being separated, going through a divorce at the time I started school.
When I started school, I was in and out of court, moved to a new apartment, started a new job, had just returned from out of state with Ex Parte order in hand after "rescuing" my daughter from the ex-in-laws (long story), and had my kiddo in a new school for the school year a day before school started last year.
I qualified for the full Pell Grant along with other grants and loans. At my school, all books, lab fees, parking, and everything is included in tuition. I don't have to pay a dime until 6 months after I graduate.
I have been in school for just over a year, and I will be graduating June '10.
I work almost full time at my daytime job, freelance in graphic design and art, full time single parent (the ex/my kiddo's dad is now stationed in England, and I have no family in the state I reside), and I am a full time student. Nope, I don't have a whole lot of free time, but we (the kiddo and I) make it work, and I know that my situation is temporary.
You have to make your time with your kid(s) count, and you appreciate it even more.
I was a stay-at-home-mom for nearly 6 years before the split with the ex. The first year and a half after the split was more rough and tough than the past 13 months of living the lifestyle that I am now.
Perseverance can and will take you far. As well as being super organized and learning multi-tasking and time management.
As for discounts, if you are referring to school tuition and/or around town, I embrace them. I don't make alot of money, yet I make too much for government assistance, and I try to save as much as possible. Along with student discounts, I also still get military discounts.
As far as social circles, most of the people I have classes with are 19 years-old. The ones that aren't 19 are either in a long term relationship or are married, so I don't "go there". I interact with most of everyone I am in classes with, but I only hangout with one person off campus and out of class, but he's 19 and has a girlfriend. lol I am too focused on my schoolwork and other things to really have an actual social life with a large number of people I have classes with. I do have a few select friends who I do not have classes with or work with. There are a few of those friends who can't seem to realize that I can't drop everything to go do XYZ with them because I have a ton of school work to do before the end of the quarter, or I will be taking the class again.
Wow. That was long. Thank you for reading all of that if you did! :D | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/5/2009 4:55:20 PM | | Start googling, there are a gazillion scholarships out there, some have requirements or are specified for certain types of people or various courses of study while others are wide open. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/5/2009 5:47:51 PM | I had my son last May, and while I was pregnant with him, I decided to resume my studies at university for my bachelors in psychology.
I still have a year and a half to go but I think it will be worth it as I will be able to get a better job to support my son. I plan on going to college (through correspondence) once done with university!
It has limited my life in a way, because during the day its all about school, then during the evening its all about my son.
I haven't been treated any different way as most people don't know I have a child and also I guess I still am young enough to not stick out really | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/5/2009 6:03:13 PM |
I had my son last May, and while I was pregnant with him, I decided to resume my studies at university for my bachelors in psychology.
I still have a year and a half to go but I think it will be worth it as I will be able to get a better job to support my son. I plan on going to college (through correspondence) once done with university!
It has limited my life in a way, because during the day its all about school, then during the evening its all about my son.
I haven't been treated any different way as most people don't know I have a child and also I guess I still am young enough to not stick out really
Who will be providing child care while you are at school? Are you living at home or on campus? Some people can bring their children to live on campus, in some schools, can they not? | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/5/2009 6:06:47 PM | I live at home and I commute to school twice a week (its about an hour and 15 minute drive)
Right now, I use the child benefits i get for my sons daycare (right now he goes 3 days a week for $100)
I had thought about moving on campus but it would have been to costly. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/5/2009 6:21:30 PM | | I am supposed to call tomorrow to see if there is a spot open in the class or not. The school i plan on going to has it to where the high school students get in the classes first . It is a tech school and they have a daycare on site. I was going there a couple months ago but i had to leave due to a couple reasons. I qualified for the whole pell grant. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/5/2009 6:28:37 PM | | 3 days a week for $100? wow. I have friends using child care benefits through the state to help pay for daycare and it only costs them like $25/week. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/5/2009 10:04:25 PM | | i went back after i had my daughter i think i was 19 in ontario i got osap and they gave me 21000 for my course books and living expense. my corse was about 10g i had subsidy daycare i think i paid 50 a month. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/6/2009 4:46:05 AM | | yes there is alot out there and even more for single parents returning to school i will check my email tonight i have a ton of links and scholarships and grants info or drop me a line on my profile. I personally and trying to return with doing at home classes via the internet cause i just can't hack the social seen at college if i want to deal with teens i will wait till my kids get there for now i am enjoying the toddler and grade school age and do 3 to 8 hours a week of school and should have my associate in paralegal in 14 months www.upromise.com is one site u sign up and every dollar u spend in online shoping and at certin stores give you money back to college. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/25/2009 11:59:47 PM | I'm back at college with two teens......in many ways for my kids, it's no different than when I was working full-time. The "kids" I go to class with are only a year - 3 years older than my oldest child, so that does impact my socializing with classmates.
My tuition is covered entirely by grants, and I do get things like food stamps and medicaid right now. Because my ex was administratively discharged from the Air Force for dependent abuse, I receive a monthly payment from the Air Force for a few more months.....after that ends, I have no idea how much other aid I will get, though by that time I will be able to start working again. I was unable to work since the divorce due to caring for two severely traumatized children (what my ex did to them WAS THAT BAD), so going back to school now was my best option.
What I have noticed is that being a non-trad, the professors treat me differently. If I'm running into difficulty with an assignment and ask the professor for help, they don't assume that I'm not just looking for the "easy way out of it".
The town near the college does have many stores that offer discounts to the college students but doesn't distinguish between the "types" of college students. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/26/2009 12:59:57 PM | i went to university, and college before that in the uk, and it worked out well! i cant comment on the financial aid you get over there, but i qualified for all they could give me here, which helped.
my daughter was 5 when i started, and she has seen me go through the whole process of college, university and into a job i really wanted and it has taught her that you can achieve what you want if you put your self into it fully.
you go girl!! and good luck! x | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/26/2009 2:22:44 PM | I am starting on Monday. I got a Pell grant for half and student loans for the rest. I will be attempting an Associate degree in Healthcare Administration. I have a daughter who is a Junior in HS this year.  She just got her drivers license and has a car. Now she won't rely me on so much to get around. That new freedom is why I have decided to go to college. That, AND, my job pay is lousy.  | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/26/2009 3:38:13 PM | I went back to school 18 months ago for my accounting degree. While most of the students my age (early 40s) are going to Webster/Phoenix/Nova, I wanted to go to our local state university. Boy, what a change from 20 years ago! I am usually the oldest in my class by far and it was odd at first. I am treated different, but in a good way. The professors are very respectfull and more willing to have open discussion in class as opposed to straight lecture. I am getting my money's worth and then some this time around.
As far as child care, until my ex moved 3 hours away, he would pick them up an extra day or 2 each week which was fine with him and our 2 younger boys. I am skipping a couple of semesters and will start back in January. My mom and a friend will step in and help out then. One of the reasons I went back was for my kids. Even though it takes some time away from them, I am more satified with myself and my career which I think makes me a better parent & provider. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/26/2009 7:15:55 PM | | I started college when my kids were 4 months, 17 months, and 3 and I was married. When my kids were 3, 4, and 6 their dad and I split up. I was in the middle of school when this happened. I got through it and got my bachelor's degree in social work. I graduated in 2006 and then returned to get my masters in rehab counseling in 2007. I now have 4 kids and it is tough. The school I go to isn't bad, there are lots of older students. I received all the grants and now I get loans. I find it is easier not working so I can get through school faster, and seeing how I am doing my practicum this semester and internship next semester, it would be almost impossible to work. It is rewarding knowing I will be self-sufficient and not have to depend on anyone for help in raising my kids. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/26/2009 10:58:55 PM | I'm actually going back to school, even though I am not the primary custody single parent here, I'm going back, so I can actually provide for my kids, what I had and more. I tooled around after the military, and got stuck on a fast track to no where.
I'm going to one of the local Community college, for IT, and a lot of people are my age or a little bit older in most of my classes, its rather ironic.
Luckily I got full Pell Grant and am using my GI Bill, but those aint paying the bills and right now I cant even get hired as a grill cook.
But the thing I am worrying about is when I find a job, for now, its going to be weekends/nights, for the most part, and I dont see my kids enough as it is, and having to go to work, while going to school, sometimes, I am thinking they are suffering for me being selfish, but at the same time, I am doing it for them. Yes, I am doing it for me, but its so I can do my part in giving them the opportunities in life, I had, and like i said, hopefully more. | |
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| Any single parents going back to school?
Posted: 8/27/2009 6:27:30 PM | I will be going back for my RN next starting next year. Thanks to my ex, I had to move suddenly instead of enrolling myself. Plus I had to move back home with my mom since I've been a sahm for the last 2yrs and I'm not able to commute all that way for that school. My daughter will have to go to daycare while I'm in school, but I'm hoping to get some classes online or at night when my mom can watch her and my son.
I had a good job before my ex insisted I sah and now I'm in a position I can go to school so I'm definately taking it.
I only attend community colleges if possible myself. Smaller classes and a lot more diverse student population including parents and non traditional people going back to school. | |
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