Visit with a financial aid counselor at your school. The process of applying for financial aid can be intimidating the first time. Setting up a time to meet with a financial aid counselor can be a great way to learn about the process as well as ask any questions you might have.
Compile all tax information and documents. Applying for financial aid as a single mom requires that you submit all of your income and tax information for the previous year. W-2s and copies of what you filed for taxes are two documents you will need. If you receive supplemental housing or other benefits from the government, you may also need these documents.
Complete the free application for federal student aid document, which is also called FAFSA. You are required to file this online, although you can get a worksheet to fill out in advance from your financial aid office to make the process faster. If you don’t have Internet access, you should contact your financial aid office; people there may be able to provide you with the use of a computer.
Depending upon what information you provided when you filed your FAFSA, you may need to support additional documents to your college or university. They often need copies of your W-2s or tax forms to verify what was reported on your FAFSA.
While receiving grants as financial aid is preferred since you don’t have to pay them back, taking out student loans may be necessary to ensure that single mothers have enough money to cover their expenses while attending school. Your school has the forms necessary to request a loan, and you will receive a promissory note to sign and return if you receive a loan.
Many colleges and universities give out scholarships for students attending their institution. Each college has a scholarship application specific to its college, and generally this is due in early spring.
There are many organizations at local, state and national levels that focus on helping single mothers put themselves through college. For example, Raise the Nation is a national organization providing scholarships for single mothers, while the local chapters of Soroptimists give out scholarships to single moms in their areas.
Check to see whether any benefit program is available in your state. Some states have special funding for single moms attending college. For example, California waives some of the fees associated with attending college for single mothers who attend a community college. Your financial aid office should know whether there are any benefits such as this in your state.