College and University Blog
Resources, help, and insight for your college experience
What Single Parents Should Think About Before Considering College
For the single parent, getting a college education seems an almost impossible bridge to cross. The issues of finances, demanding studies, day-care provision, and many more issues underscore the the desire to get an education. However, approximately twenty percent of the college student population are single parents.
To date, the divorce rate is on the rise, thus, the increase of single parents who make the choice to go to college is also rising. How do they manage? What steps do they take? If you are a single parent considering going back to school, here are some things to think about.
Study Strategies - How the get the best grades in college
It is two o’clock in the morning. You have just stumbled back to your dorm room after a late rehearsal for a production headed by a very serious senior director. Your legs are still sore from rugby tryouts earlier in the week. That psychology assignment is due tomorrow afternoon, but you have to finish it in the twenty-four-hour computer lab tonight because you have to work at the café in the morning. Your roommate is still awake, waiting to hear your advice on this great-new-somebody he or she just met.
Now what are you going to do to make sure that all of the high school preparation, careful application work, diligent essay-writing, hard-won financial aid, and lofty aspirations will play out successfully on the stage of this collegiate experience?
Time Management: The key to staying on top
Finding the balance: College is a nonstop mélange of experiences. Juggling studies with social life, extracurricular activities, jobs, and friends can be harro…
Financing strategies - How to afford the college of your dreams
Regardless of your family’s income, college is no small feat. The cost of tuition, room and board, books, travel, and related expenses continues to rise in an intimidating, discouraging way. Applying for financial aid is the first step in scaling that monetary hurdle. In all cases, no matter what your income bracket, applying for financial aid is definitely the first sign of a smart, bright, college-bound student.
Know what is expected of you
Get the facts
Don’t just stare at that pile of tax returns and financial information. As with all things, the best place to begin is at the beginning. Sharpen your number two pencils, but before you start, make sure you remember these guidelines:
- Males must be registered for the draft when applying for aid.
- Don’t leave blanks on any financial aid form, whether it is for the school, the agency, or a loan.
- Sign and keep copies of all forms. Send only originals.
- Include the correct processing f…