Single Mothers – Get Federal Grants and Other Financial Assistance

Are you nervous about returning to school due to the poor economic conditions that seem to saturate the worlds news. If so, you should rethink your plans. This is actually an ideal time to finish your degree, or even begin to pursue your dream of a college education–especially if you are a single mother. Why? Because there is more federal financial aid for single moms than ever before. Women all over the United States are applying for federal grants and tax credit programs to help them get further education.

Federal Tax Credit

While the Earned Income Credit has benefited many single moms as head of the household, there are many other tax credit programs that will help directly with education. One such tax credit is the American Opportunity Tax Credit program. This federal program is intended to cover the first $4,000 of a citizens higher education, and is calculated on previous years income instead of current or future.

Be sure to also check tax credits for education at the state level. Some are even especially developed for working women. For instance, there is a program in Indiana that helps day care workers get further education.

Government Grants

The Pell Grant program is perhaps the most well-known federal grant. The Obama administration has increased them for low income students, and will expand the maximum allowable grant to $5,100, up from $4,050. Soon the president hopes to increase it to $5,400, which will be a boon to single mothers.

Is There Assistance Available for Online Programs?

If you are trying to work and take care of your family, you probably do not have time for traditional on campus classes. Do not worry–Pell Grants may be used for online degrees as well as campus-based course work! Many of the other financial aid programs are also designed to include online courses, which is an ideal program for single mothers.

There are many programs out there so this means there is a lot of money available for you. You just have to find it–consider using a scholarship matching service. Many of these services are free or very low cost, and they can help you find money you would never have found yourself.

Economic Stimulus Plan Increases College Aid Benefits

The economic stimulus plan that was passed earlier in 2009 increases the maximum Pell Grant, from $4,731 currently to $5,350 starting July 1 and $5,550 in 2010-2011. This Federal Financial Aid Grant is intended to help the lowest-income students attend college or university. The maximum grant should cover about 75% of the average cost of a four-year college. The plan also increases the number of students who will be eligible. In fact, now, 800,000 more students, or about 7 million, may qualify for Pell Grants.

In addition, the 2009 economic stimulus package increases the tuition tax credit to $2,500 and makes it 40 percent refundable. Due to this boon, families and individuals who don’t make enough to have to pay income tax could still get as much as $1,000 in extra tuition help.

Better yet, computer expenses are now an allowable expense for 529 college savings plans – a big positive for online degree seekers!

The package spends an estimated $32 billion on higher education – so don’t get left behind. Take advantage of the benefits offered to help you get ahead.

Unemployed? Think you may be out of a job soon? It makes sense to start increasing your credentials now. When you have earned your college degree, you’ll be able to find better jobs with higher pay.

Find out more about what financial aid is available for you and get started earning your college degree.

Online Degrees Paid for with Government Grants for Single Mothers

With all the bad economic news, it may make it seem like this is a bad time for single mothers to go back to school. It simply is not true, though. Women all over the US are seeking help from the federal government through educational grants and loans. Here are a few of the ways they can help.

Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grants are about to be increased for low income students. In fact, this was the first bills Obama introduced when he took office. It brings the maximum allowable Pell grant from $4,050 to $5,100, and the President is working hard to bring it up further to $5,400. The extended Pell Grant is one of the best single mother government grants for earning a college degree.

Tax Credits for Higher Education

Single mothers – consider the educational tax credit. The American Opportunity Tax Credit program was designed to make the first $4,000 of any American’s higher education free. This program will accept your prior years tax return, but it does require 100 hours of community service in exchange for the tax credit.

How do I get a Grant?

The first thing you have to do is select a college or university, then fill out a federal FAFSA form and send it in. You might want to check out scholarship and grant matching services to make sure you apply for all the scholarships and grants available to you as a single mother.

I Plan to Attend an Online College — Are There Grants for Me?

This is the best part yet! You can still qualify for Pell Grants and many others types of financial aid, even if you cannot attend classes in a traditional setting. Online college programs are also included in the federal aid programs. If you are in doubt, check with the financial aid office of the school to which you are applying, and see first what you qualify for, and next what kinds of academic programs it covers.

You may be surprised to learn just how much money is out there for you. Not only that, more funds may become available as time goes by. Watch for word of scholarship and grant advances from the Obama administration, and by all means get out there and start applying for your college program of choice.

Government Grants for Single Mom’s

Bad economic news may have you thinking that this is a bad time for single moms to return to the classroom, that simply is not the case. Women all over America are finding help through federal government programs such as educational grants and loans. Here are a few examples.

Pell Grants

These federal grants are being expanded for low income individuals. Pell grants were the first bill the president introduced at the start of his administration. The change brings the maximum allowable Pell grant from $4,050 to $5,100. President Obama is working to increase it further to $5,400. The extended Pell Grant is one of the best single mother government grants for college.

Education Tax Credits

Single mothers – consider the educational tax credit. The American Opportunity Tax Credit program was designed to make the first $4,000 of any American’s higher education free. This program will accept your prior years tax return, but it does require 100 hours of community service in exchange for the tax credit.

Where do I Apply?

First, choose your school. Then fill out a federal FAFSA form, and submit it. If you want to make sure you apply for all the scholarships and grants for which you qualify as a single mother, check out some of the scholarship and grant matching services that will help match you to your ideal grant.

I Don’t Have Time To Go to a Classroom — Are There Grants for Me?

You can still qualify for Federal Pell Grants and many others if you cannot attend classes in a traditional campus setting. Accredited online colleges and universities are also included in the federal aid programs. If you are in doubt, just check with a scholarship matching program and see first what you qualify for, and next what kinds of programs it covers.

You may be surprised to find out just how much money is out there for you. And, we expect that more funds may be available as time goes by. Keep your eyes open for any news of scholarship and grant advances from the Obama administration, and by all means get out there and start applying for your degree program.