While not specifically targeted to single parents returning to school, federal Pell grants are generally available to financially needy students. With federal Pell grant assistance, it's easier to meet the costs of earning a bachelor's or professional degree. To qualify for these grants, you must be a student pursuing a postsecondary educational degree or certificate and demonstrate financial need. The U.S. Department of Education determines financial need through a standard formula Congress established.
Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. This program provides up to $4,000 per year in grants to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. If, as a single parent, you wish to return to college to become a teacher, this grant may be an ideal fit your circumstances .
Students may apply for the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant) during their third and fourth years in college. You must enroll in at least half-time, which usually means six hours to maintain eligibility. If you qualify for federal Pell grants and major in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language, you may qualify for this grant. In addition, you must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in your major-required course work. Like the TEACH grant, this grant will provide up to $4,000 per year.
Each state offers its own type of college grants. For instance, the state of Delaware offers the Governor's Education Grant for Working Adults to eligible adults looking to return to school. Check out your state's higher education website to find more information on grant opportunities. Private organizations also offer grants to single parents in college. Soroptomist International of the Americas provides funding to the Women's Opportunity Awards in which eligible women supporting a family may qualify for monetary grants.
Another option for single parents in college is to apply for other government programs like the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Although this type of assistance does not help toward paying the cost of tuition or books, it could potentially help with your other living expenses, which could free up financial resources to go toward school. TANF provides assistance to families with financial need by granting states, territories and tribes the federal monies for welfare programs. The assistance is time-limited and promotes work, responsibility and self-sufficiency. You can apply for TANF at the local agency that administers the program in your community.