What to Know About Attending College as a Single Parent

College Resources and Scholarship Opportunities for Single Parents

Pursuing a college degree as a single parent can seem incredibly daunting, and for many, it is a goal that may be out of reach. Nonetheless, and despite any financial deterrents, obtaining a college education can be invaluable for parents who have ambitious career aspirations and a desire for personal growth and fulfillment.

My College Companion helps single parents understand the benefits of pursuing a college education, the challenges they may face along the way, and what scholarships are available to them.

Why Single Parents Go to College

It is well known that raising children is expensive, especially for parents who do it all on their own. Obtaining a bachelor's, master's, or another college degree can help parents increase their earning potential and provide a better livelihood for their families. A college degree also often allows for career advancement that may not have been available without it.

In addition to helping a single parent improve their financial situation, continuing education offers personal growth and empowerment. Single parents often strive to find ways to set a good example for their children, and pursuing a college education can help them achieve that goal.

Going to college can also provide parents with other resources that are integral to their health and overall happiness. Many colleges provide free or discounted daycare services, allowing parents to worry less about the steep costs of childcare. College can also provide parents with a sense of community, giving them a support system that will benefit them and their children.

Challenges Single Parents May Face in College

It is no surprise that attending college as a single parent comes with its fair share of hurdles. Not only has college tuition become increasingly expensive over the years, but attending classes will also require significant time and energy. Even students without children struggle to keep up with the mounting costs of college, the demands of homework, the desire to have a social life, and often working as well.

Single parents who attend college must figure out how to balance their responsibilities at school, work, and home. While they may have tests to study for and essays to write, they also need to make it to work on time and drive their children to school. Not only do single parents need to be able to show up for each of these responsibilities, but they also tend to push to go above and beyond, and that effort can be draining.

While single parents often work more hours than other students, they may still face immense struggles with affording college. The financial burden of pursuing higher education is often perceived as the most significant obstacle for single parents hoping to obtain higher-paying jobs and more advanced roles in the workplace through a college degree.

Scholarships for Single Parents

Scholarships can be a great asset for single parents who are hoping to earn a degree with little to no debt at all. Consider applying to the following programs targeted toward single parents:

• Newland & Newland Single Parent Scholarship: This $1,000 opportunity is offered to both single parents and children of single parents who are planning to attend a paralegal, legal assistant, or pre-law program.
• The Fealy Law Firm Family First Scholarship: Undergraduates and graduates who are pursuing degrees as single parents are encouraged to apply for this $1,500 scholarship.
• Coover & Associates Parents With Passion Scholarship: This law firm established their scholarship program in an effort to provide financial support to hardworking and resilient single parents.

My College Companion understands the difficulties single parents encounter when they decide to attend college, and we hope these opportunities can give them a head start as they take steps toward achieving their goals.