How did single moms or couples pay for schooling with Baby?

I would like to have another child but don't want to be on welfare. I would rather have the education to support my family. I want to know how you get the money to go to school and support your family and what women have done with providing childcare and all that. I have no family down here to watch my little girl and can't even get a good enough job to pay for childcare let alone money for college. How have you single women accomplish so much?How did single moms or couples pay for schooling with Baby?
Your first step is to fill out the FAFSA form so you can apply for federal financial aid. There are several different types of grants you can get if you demonstrate enough need, but the most common type of aid are federal student loans called stafford loans. These are different from a bank loan because they do not require a credit check, and have a fixed interest rate of about 6%. You can defer payment until after your education, and you can even choose to just defer the principle amount and pay the interest while you're in school so you'll still know owe the original amount borrowed when you graduate. If you do not get enough financial aid for a year of school, your next option is private student loans from a bank. These require a credit check and typically have a variable interest rate, so they are not as ideal, but they can also be deferred and are still very common.





You should also be looking into scholarships. Your best bet will be smaller, local scholarships because they will have a lower competitive pool. Most are directed toward high school students or young college students so you may struggle to find some, but I know my school's childcare office offers a scholarship to mothers in need. Get creative and see what's out there.





As for childcare, I just finished at a community college that had a childcare facility for mothers in your situation. Some colleges will have things like that, both for your convenience, and for their early childhood ed majors. I don't think it's usually free, but it is probably cheaper and it'd be close by so you can check in between classes. :P





It's not going to be easy, but if you set your mind to it you can find a way. You may have to start saving a few dollars every month just to get you started. Maybe wait a year and save a semesters worth of childcare so you have something out of the way, maybe get an online degree or take mostly online classes so you can stay home and provide your own childcare-- I am a traditional student but I've taken online classes and they're really cool and convenient. You'll never know what you can work out until you start researching and start trying. Apply to lots of schools if you can, because they all have different financial aid budgets and one school might offer you more than another.





Good luck!How did single moms or couples pay for schooling with Baby?
Single women should be called SUPERWOMAN. They do accomplish a lot without a man and that is very admirable. Of course if the man left the woman with the children he is a fool. As for your story, if you can't afford another child at this moment, just wait a year or two. You need to focus on saving up money for your current child and you don't want too much to worry about. Although if you completely ignore what I just advised you to do, [which in my opinion is completely okay because I am a total stranger..Even then I'd like to help you] for his/her schooling you baisically need to pay for him/her lunch. You can get reduce lunch or free lunch. School is a public place and it's free. Until college on the other hand. There's always going to be a way. Loans, Scholarships, something. I wouldn't worry too much if you know you can do it. Single women everywhere can do it, why can't you?
Fill out a FAFSA (application for federal aid, either online or in person at a college). Since you have a family, they won't count your parents' income.





You should be eligible for federal student aid, including grants and loans. I got $22,000 per year, which went a long way to help us with both tuition and living expenses.





My husband also had a part-time job, he worked as a school bus driver, which enabled him to take classes between the morning and evening bus runs. Between his income and both of our student aid, we were able to survive decently, even buy new laptop computers (which are available to students at a discount rate if you go through your university store). Having your own computer is pretty much necessary at most colleges these days.





Many universities have family housing (apartments) which are about 25% cheaper than market-rate housing, and also have low-cost child care.





For evening study or night classes, many student-parents trade babysitting.