To Go Full or Part Time?

How old are you E.. If I'm not mistaken if you have a child and are single, shouldn't you be able to get a grant that also comes with extra money for living expenses.

Go part time. There will be surprises and adjustments and you will have to work harder than you expect to in order to get good grades. Don't overwhelm yourself. As he gets older you can up your hours in school. Potty training can be frustrating, as can school, and work. All three together are quite a feat. I wish you success. Slow and steady is the way that I say to go. You don't want to get so bogged down in what you have to do that you can't appreciate your baby.

E.,
I went back to school 1 year after my divorce. I waited till my baby was right at 16 months old. I have been going since summer of 2005. There were 2 semesters that I had to go part time and work full time but the rest I did side jobs on cleaning houses to have extra money for my kids. I got loans and grants also. Going back to school is a wonderful thing for you to do, especially being single. It helps to build self esteem, self confidence, and independence. You can keep your full time job during the week, just to try it and see what happens. I would quit the weekend job. Your son will need you and you will find yourself needing him even more when school starts. I started taking on-line classes so I could work (cleaning houses) because it is flexible and I can be in my childrens lifes more. I also do alot of activities with my church. I am now remarried and have 3 step-children additional to my 3 biological children. There are times that all of it will get tiring and you just do not want to do it anymore then you look at your child and know that it is well worth it. I would advice you, if you have'nt already, to find a good church for support. God lined all these things up for me in his timing and in the time I needed them most. I will graduate May 9 with an Associates and started this spring to work on my Bachelor's. YOU can do it. There are times it will get hard but my philosophy is that anything in life worth having don't come free nor easy. Once we acheive it then we can appreciate it more. Hope this helped you from my personal experiences. I wish you luck and will keep you in my prayers. God Bless, A.
P/S
On the potty training deal! My girl was easy but my boys were 3 b4 they trained. I would start trying so he will be familiar with it and give him treats when he does. It will come when you least expect it. Don't get discouraged! he has to be ready to. I tried cherrios in the toliet like they were battle ships he had to shoot down and I did some of the training outside where he did not have to aim but to get familiar of when he had to go pee-pee and to do it outside his pants not in. I also bought cool underware of the transformers and action figures which helped because he wanted to wear them. I told him if he wore the big boy pants he had to go use the bathroom in the potty like a big boy. These are things that helped me train my boys!

If I were you, I'd get as little student loans as possible!!! Use your grants, you don't have to pay them back, and bartending, you can make alot of money in little time. I have a few freinds that bartend and they bring in sometimes $350 or more a night, and at least $150 on a slow night. Im sorry about your divorce, but we are women, and yes, we are so much stronger than men in the long run so you just keep your head up and get that education!! you will be fine!! Believe me, your gonna need that extra pay by the time your son gets older!! I have two kids. My daughter is 4, and my son is 11. Their father was killed in a motorcycle accident the day after our little girl turned 1,and raising them alone is quite expensive!!! I too am trying to finish school. Im alittle slow at getting that degree, but I will get it!! :) Hang in there Momma!!

the most important thing is taking care of Kalub. I'd recommend you go part-time, so you don't find yourself unable to parent him. 2 jobs is already overload, even if you cut back on one. He'll only be young once, and you can pursue more options when he gets older. By the way, try the book tooilet training in less than a day if you want to get through the toilet training quickly.

I got my children to a certain age then went back..
if it were me I woulod work weekends and go to school during the week, as it seems this may be the better paying job.. not only that your child should be in bed a decent hour and so your going to work at night should not cost you much time with him.,.,

I did it so I know that it can be done. I packed my son up and moved 4 hours away from all my family and friends so that I could go back to school to do what I really loved. It was so much harder in some ways than I thought and yet when it was done it seemed like a breeze. If going back to school will advance you to where you need to be then go for it. After it was all said and done I have 80k worth of student loans to pay back tho so whatever you go to school for really really has to be worth it.

Good luck to you E.. But may I suggest that you not try to potty train a 2 1/2 month old. You are asking the impossible. Good luck to you in your school venture!! That can certainly be done.
CHudson

I actually finished college when my first child was 2 years old. I have 3 children now and will possibly be enrolling again.

Be careful with those loans, you have to pay them back eventually (trust me, I'm there). Those payments can equal up to another house note if you don't watch it.

Because you've been out of school for so long, you may want to consider starting off part-time so your load is not so heavy. Once you're into the last semester of your senior year is when you would probably carry a full load and take out the max in student loans (just for your final two semesters). That way you won't lose your mind while you're in school or once that payment booklet comes to repay those loans! :)

I got three degrees over the course of about 20 years. all three times I graduated pregnant. It can be done. Smart money is to stay away from debt. Since you are a single mom contact your family services office. In many states they have programs that pay you to go back to school. Apply for every grant you can find and all the scholorships. I once got 2500 for being left handed. Base your decision to be full or part time on the total amount you are able to raise. Yes, I seems to take forever if you can only attend Tuesday and Thursday night classes, but the degree is what you need for the two of you to have a good life later and it won't be all that good if you have a mountain of debt.

Hi E.

I definitely feel the weight on your shoulders, I was a single mom for 10 years and it was hard! However I do admire your determination, strenght and need to work 2 jobs to care for your soon, but I'm in agreement with those that say, you have to do what will be better for your son and yourself in the long run, notice I said your son first, because he's depending on you to make decisions that will build a sturdy foundation for him to build on as he grows. I too would say say away from the student loans if you can. I feel like they are a life sentence of debt. Go Grants, in the mean time if you'd like to explore what I think is a great opportunity that will allow you to work and make GOOD money check out www.intouchqueen.com. It's an untapped market and the residual income have the ability to be unreal.

Just know that whatever you decide, if you decided to do, if you believe it you can achieve it. I wish you and your son the very best, he's luck to have a mom like you.

I don't know your financial position so some of what I am passing on may not apply to you.

Your financial aid is usually based on your last years tax return. So, if you get low enough income this year then next year you will be in a better "aid" situation and get more grants.

My first year at O. S. U. I felt like I was rolling in the money. I didn't work a day the whole time I was in college. I had transferred from O. U., moved from a house in Norman to married student housing on campus in Stillwater, had a 5 yr. old, recently divorced, etc.... I was able to get low income housing on campus (my part of the rent was about $45.00), food stamps ($250.00), plus financial assistance from DHS (AFDC $350.00). I know things have changed since then. It used to be that financial aid wasn't counted as income because it was designated for your educational needs. Voc-Rehab paid for my books, tuition, and fees.

I added it up at the end of the Spring semester and my income for those 9 months (Sept-May) was over $25,000. All my bills were paid even rent and all my school debt before I received any money and I still got a check each month from DHS, food was on food stamps, Gee, it was extremely stress free. I had play money every month, $400.00 - $500.00 for nothing.

The next year I just got stupid when I found out I could get even more money if I took out loans. Over the next 2 years I borrowed $16,000. I had to drop out of school due to an extreme injury and when I couldn't find work I ended up not being able to make payments and the total on my loans got up to over $45,000 in just a few years of non payment and interest adding up. My minimum payment, with only paying interest and a small part of the loan, is nearly a thousand a month. DON'T GOT LOANS!!!

Something may happen where you can't go to classes for a semester or you get hurt and can't go to school OR work, it can destroy you financially.

My advice to you is: Education is always good, go for it with a whole heart. Look at everything you can before you sign on the line for a loan. Talk to a financial aid counselor, they have access to grants that are from individuals or companies that are on the computers in their offices, consider moving on campus if the cost is better, and take some classes you enjoy too.

A word about living on campus. To keep the apt. year round plan your classes with the idea that you need to take classes in each semester, even summer. Each semester I took 3 serious classes that were required for my major and 1-2 blow-off classes, such as piano lessons, tennis, weight training, aerobics, dance lessons, these are classes that make your transcript more well rounded. Plus they are classes that help you relieve stress, keep fit, and be a better person. I was still a full time student but was able to focus on each class more and was able to always keep a 4.0 GPA. I was considered full time in the Summer and got full financial aide for that time too. Since I had planned for the extra time I completed all the classes I needed for the year but made great grades, lost weight, lowered stress, didn't have to move, and I still would have graduated early if I had not been injured.

Good luck to you.

Hi E.,
I'm out of breath just reading this. To lose a good FT job does not sit well with me, but I understand your need to do it. You are just swapping your FT job for school during the week as I see it. With the aid and loans, you should know if this will help in supporting you. You need to hold on to the PT on weekends.

You say you are recently divorced. Will hubby be paying support? Please tell me it's his.....ugh.

Personally I'd hold off school until your situation improves financially, but only you would know that. You can always go back to college at any time. What's the rush?

All the best!_________

I was 18 when I got pregnant with my first child and 20 whith the second, I got a divorce shortly after. I worked 2 jobs and went to school full time. It sucked for 3 years, but it payed off!! I know that it will be hard leaving your child at home while you do this, but it is the best thing that you can do for yourself and him. Going to school full time and getting a degree will provide you with security and stability and while the both of you will have to sacrifice your time together, you will be financially able to provide a better life for in the end. I encourage you to go back to school fulltime (if you go part time, it is often furstrating cause you fell like you are working so hard and not getting anywhere) at whatever cost. I know how hard it can be first hand, but I also know how rewarding it is now to only work one job and to make enough money with that one job to support a family. Good Luck and I wish you and your son all the best.

HI, E.! I would have to say to do the math!! Put it all on paper with every way you can possibly work as an option and all the daycare costs etc. I just did this yesterday for my summer work schedule and discovered I would only bring in an additional $15.00 total to work 30 hours as opposed to changing to 16 hours! You better beleive that I am going to find a way to earn more than just $1.00 extra for each hour that I am not there! Putting it all on papaer gives a truer picture than if just figured it out in your head! Good luck!!

My suggestions to you is do it online if you have the opportunity. I started going back to school using the online courses at University of Phoenix in Nov 07. I have a fulltime job, a Daycare out of my home, which keeps me going constantly all day long. Then my three children need help with homework, dinner ,etc. after school. I am now on my third set of courses, two at a time, in the program. .. I'm going full time. I have been doing it in the evenings when I put my children to bed. It has been the greatest experience for me and I can get my education around my schedule, not have my life revolve around my school class schedule. You can get all the way to your Masters through UOP Online too. It has just been such a blessing for my family, and you can qualify for all the same assistance for the online courses as you can for the college based courses. No gas to drive back and forth, no babysitter, it's wonderful! And UOP was the cheapest online college, we checked around a lot before signing up. Just a suggestion. Good luck with your degree!!

Dear E.,

I have three boys and went to college and graduate school with the two older ones, I also worked some. My deepest desire for you is that you keep it as simple as you can, start slow and keep it very managable. Your most important job is that little guy. You will never regret making sure that you made all your decisions with him as the priority. Goals can be put on hold or extended, Children need us here and now. We can never go back and redo it.
R.

I admire you for being a single mom. Is your little guy 2 1/2 years or months. I'm confused because of the potty training.

Have you looked into the Single Parent Scholarship. They will help pay for everything. If you take out student loans you will not have to start paying on them until 6 months after you finish school. By then you will have a better paying job and can afford to pay on them. I have student loans in the amount of $20,000 and I pay $156 a month for the next ten years I think. Just for an idea. But if you get the Single Parent Scholarship then you would not have to pay it back.

My dad always told me the best debt are student loans. I realized he is right. Your education is so important these days. They hardly look at you if you don't have a degree.

I wish you all the luck in the world. You deserve it.

It took me six years to get my degree and it was worth the hard work. You are special and with God's help you can do anything. Always remember that.

I did go back for two years and did not work (I was also on chemotherapy while in school, yes I am crazy) but I just wanted to caution you because I am now having to pay back my student loans and it is VERY difficult. Financing enough to live on with children ends up leaving you with very large monthly payments when it comes time to repay. So far I am making it and I'm not sure I would change it if I could but you must think about it very carefully on the front end; calculating earning power as well as being committed to completing your degree once you start or you will be left with no more earning power than you have now and a huge chunk of yur paycheck gone to repayment. My advice: education is important and can give you the power to provide a nice life for you and your children independantly just be sure you weigh carefully the pros and cons making sure you aren't getting yourself in a hole and try to make the most of it if you decide to move forward. Good luck to you!

You will be too overloaded if you go full time. The time will come. Be patient. Your little man needs you right now.

Though I am not a single mom I am a military wife so we are on are own quite often. So, I had been pursuing my education off and on for years while working or just full time and since we had one to three children throughout that time I understand the need for student loans. They are a hassle and it does cost alot in the long run, but so does daycare for an infant so reality is that most likely you will have to get some student loans. What we always did was pay the daycare upfront for the entire semester as soon as we got the grants, and loans this made it so we did not have to worry that the kids were taken care of. We then paid whatever have to bills were right there (because they are for all costs of living for college) and thirdly placed the remainder in a savings account for have to haves throughout that semester (after all classes, books, and fees-of course). . . I promise things will always pop up for school or life. Just be really careful not to spend it just because it is there . . . it is easy to do.

I understand school seems a lot more expensive because of your little man but at the same time that degree will allow you to feel more accomplished as a woman and mother as well as accomplish more for your family, plus it has the added benefit of being a glorious example of prevailing against the odds to your growing son. I finally got my degree and my children were so excited to watch mommy "gadate" . . . they always wanted to see where I went to school, it was sweet. It is tough to get quality time with your little man while in school so just make sure every moment you get you cuddle, love, and make lasting memories. You can do it and we all believe in you . . . I know your little Kalub does!

O' one last note . . . there are LOTS of scholarships for single parents so just start cruising the web and you might find something just for you, or your financial aid dept. may be able to help you find extra scholarships.

Good luck once again and God Bless!

Congrats on your decision to go back to school!
I've worked a full time job while going to school full time (no kids or hubby) and it was very very hard. I could hardly keep my grades up, and because of one bad grade in one class, lost a scholarship and the chance to get into the program I wanted. But I couldn't quit my job since I was entirely on my own to pay the bills. So I had to change majors graduated and got a good job, and 3 years later went back to school to get the degree I had really wanted. I saved up so that I could go to school and only work part time.
I suggest that for the first semester or two try taking just a few classes, definately not full time. You don't want to fail or have to withdrawl from a class because you've over extended yourself. Once you get a feel for how much you can handle, you can get more aggressive. Make an appointment with the financial aid counselor and apply for as much financial aid as you can get, and go for the student loans - you might get enough $$ that you won't have to work so much.
Best of Luck!

Hello E.! I went part time back to school (after 10 years of being out of college) in 2006. I took 6 hours and worked 40. I have a husband and at the time my son was 1 1/2. Then I took 14 hours and worked as much as possible and that about killed me. I eventually quit my job to go back full time. I busted my butt taking 21 hours here and 20 hours there. I will graduate in December and it feels so good! We have had to sacrifice, take out student loans, and apply for lots of scholarships and grants, but God worked it all out. I got on WIC, Medicaid, and daycare assistance and that really helped. My husband only brings home $1400/month. We also are taking advantage of AngelFood Ministries. You CAN do it, you just have to really pray, study hard, and manage your time right. I won't lie- it is the hardest thing I have ever done and I have the support of a wonderful husband and family all around me. But I have faith in you, if that means anything! Good luck!

I am in school full time and have 3 kids. Granted I am not a single mom so I do not have the added stress of trying to work, but will tell you it is hard work.

Once upon a time, when my husband and I were first married and had 1 child, he went to school full time and worked full time. He did ALOT of workstudy and worked evenings and weekends as well.

Hi E.,

My husband and I went through graduate school at the same time. We scheduled our classes around each others' as much as possible. Our daughter was only 18 months old when we started grad school, and we just didn't want to miss anything. We opted for student loans with part time jobs. Student loans, like electric bills, are a part of life; especially if you want your life to be one with an above-average income. Everyone I know makes a monthly student loan payment....and none of us regret it. Education yields for a better quality of life. But you don't want to miss any of your child's milestones along the way. It is better to accrue the student loans and keep your sanity than to pile too much upon yourself emotionally and physically.

Best of luck whatever you decide!

A.