| Mothers are known multi-taskers. It seems they can | | | | couples with children. That may be why more people |
| juggle anything; kids, a career, housework. Now many | | | | are looking for ways to increase their job qualifications. |
| moms, single or married, are adding college courses to | | | | Three online universities have partnered to grant |
| the mix. For these multi-tasking moms, seeking an | | | | scholarships to working moms. American |
| online degree may save time and money. | | | | Intercontinental University, DeVry University and |
| Online colleges hold many benefits, especially for the | | | | Walden University began a campaign called, "Project |
| working woman. The flexibility to complete a degree | | | | Working Mom: Putting Education to Work". The |
| this way, on your own schedule, allows mothers to | | | | program grants at least $2 million in full-ride |
| squeeze classes in after work when the kids are | | | | scholarships to working moms. |
| asleep. Unlike traditional universities, online colleges do | | | | If paying for your education is the issue, make sure |
| not require a set course load. That means students | | | | you look into Federal Grants. The US government may |
| who choose this course can take as many or as few | | | | have $50,000 to donate to your education. That's |
| classes as they want. | | | | money you never have to repay. Pell Grants offer |
| The New Jersey Department of Labor started a | | | | undergraduate students up to $2,700 a year. The |
| program to help working mothers increase their | | | | Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, |
| education and skills. A Rutgers University study on that | | | | FSEOG, gives money to undergraduate students with |
| program found the women who finished had on | | | | exceptional financial need, up to $4,000 a year. There |
| average increased their annual income by 14%. Most | | | | are also state grants and private scholarships. |
| importantly, the women said they could not have | | | | When you look into going to school online, also |
| completed the courses if they would have had to | | | | research ways to save money on your education. |
| leave home to do it. | | | | You can buy used books on the web instead of at a |
| The census report found there are more than 10 million | | | | bookstore. Some online colleges and universities offer |
| single mothers in the United States. Only 16% of those | | | | a break on tuition if a student refers a friend or family |
| single moms have college degrees and 78% earn less | | | | member. There are also ways to test out of some |
| than $30,000 a year. Based on those numbers, you | | | | classes required for your degree. The American |
| can see having a job does not guarantee financial | | | | Council on Education evaluates military and employee |
| stability. According to the US Department of Labor, the | | | | training. You may be able to get college credit for |
| poverty rate for single working mother households is | | | | courses you've already completed, putting you ahead |
| 21%. That's more than double the rate of families | | | | of the game. |
| headed by men and four times the rate of married | | | | |