What Full-Time Parents Should Know About Earning a Degree
By Erica Francis
Written exclusively for dankreiness.com
If you’re a stay-at-home parent who’s always dreamed of going back to school, there’s no time like the present. Especially when many of the top universities in the country offer such flexible options for earning your degree. So whether you are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or even a PhD, Leader of Learning presents ideas on how to make it work for you and your busy schedule.
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Online Programs Offer a Lot of Flexibility
When you’re a parent, your schedule can be pretty unpredictable. That’s why you may discover that online programs are best suited to your needs. Now you may think that earning an online degree won’t be as rich a college experience, but this doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, you can open the doors to more possibilities by opting for virtual classes rather than in-person.
But Campus Classes Can Also Work for Parents
There’s no question that online classes afford the most flexibility. Still, some students learn better in a classroom. This is why so many students have been struggling during the pandemic. If you plan on enrolling in a program this year, you may find yourself in a similar predicament. You can use these virtual learning tips to overcome common obstacles.
If you’re worried about being able to afford child care for campus classes, know that financial aid can help. Recent GAO reports have determined that most parents are unaware that they can use financial aid for child care expenses. Ask your school to avoid missing out on these funds.
You may also be concerned about being a parent on campus. It may surprise you to learn that 22% of undergraduate students are also parents! To further boost your confidence, the median age of parents who are earning their first degree is 32. All of this to say that you will be in good company when you opt to learn on campus,
Getting Started With a Degree Can Be So Simple
By now you may feel a bit more confident about getting back into the classroom. You may even be excited! You may also be wondering how to get the ball rolling on your academic dreams. Luckily, there are plenty of lists to help adult and non-traditional students figure out where to begin, including this one from the US Department of Education.
The first step is to figure out which degree to pursue. You may want to go for a degree that will advance your current career or one that will help you make a change altogether. For example, if you’d like to become a teacher, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary, science, or math education. Whatever field or type of degree you’re interested in, know that there are a huge variety of disciplines.
After that, all you need to do is apply, pay for classes, and start learning. If you’re still unsure about covering tuition costs, filling out a FAFSA can provide some much-needed peace of mind. This application for federal student aid is your ticket to grants, scholarships, and work-study programs that can help with expenses. Student loans are also an option.
Honestly, the hardest part about going back to school as a parent is taking that first step. It can be scary but hopefully, the information in this guide will help with your apprehension.
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