Single parents and the Pell Grant
A single mom living in the U.S. has access to many grants, and can find grants through the federal government, state government, as well as accessing the private sector, colleges and businesses. Certain criteria have to be met, but the process is relatively simple. The first thing to understand is that the Pell grant is not a loan. There is a difference between a grant and a loan. Grants do not have to be repaid. Loans have to be paid back over a period of time. As you are a single parent with expenses, it is better to secure a grant than apply for a loan as you don't have to worry about payments and interest.
The benefits of a Pell Grant
The Pell grant is free provided you are a single parent and you qualify. It is available to single moms and also their children to assist in further education to obtain a degree. The purpose of the Pell grant is to offer scholarships to deserving single moms in order that they can improve their level of education and secure a job. In short, it allows single moms to study without worrying about refunding the money. It is also easy to qualify for a Pell grant. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. Pell Grants for moms are awarded up to $5,500. You may also qualify for a $10,000 scholarship. You don't have to pay to apply for a grant. Some grants focus on providing funds for single parents who want to return to college. Other grants require you to be divorced or an abandoned parent, or from a low income group, or seriously injured or disabled. A great majority of the grants are to help women. Go online and research the grants or programs you are interested in. Take note of deadlines. Federal programs are the easiest to qualify for.
How to apply for a Pell Grant
Applying for a Pell Grant is as simple as filling out a form. The form to be filled out is called the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). As this is the official Pell Grant application, it will not only make you eligible for the Pell, but for other kinds of federal student aid as well. The FAFSA is the universal application for federal aid that the government makes available to students across the nation on a yearly basis. There is no separate application for the Pell Grant, and the FAFSA is the only application that needs to be submitted in order to gain a positive Pell Grant eligibility. An application can be filled out online or via its written version. If you decide to complete the process online, you can fill out the online form at fafsa.ed.gov. Before you can electronically sign and successfully submit your online FAFSA, first obtain your PIN that the government uses to verify your identification. The PIN also acts as an official personal seal when you provide your electronic signature during the completion of your FAFSA.
About the Author
Learn how to be more effective Single Parents by visiting singleparentcenter.net and read about single mother grants and how to deal with problem children.
government grants for single mothers