Need advice for a single mom

[Pam in GA]

I'm leading small group discussion at the FPU class being offered at my church. One lady, I'll call her Susan (not her real name), is a single mom to a 12 yog. Right now her bills exceed her income by a little under $400/mo. I'm helping her with her budget and she's not frivilous with her money, although she does have a car payment that I'd prefer she didn't have. With no money in the bank she can't buy a beater at this time.

She currently works a full-time job in retail that offers benefits, so she and her daughter do have medical coverage. From what she's told me, retail is about the only working experience she has. She is investigating adding a part time job.

She really wants to go to college and has investigated getting pell grants and scholarships to pay for it. I know she needs to get her income up before she goes to college, so I'm trying to figure out a way for her to do that.

Mainly I'm looking for ideas for her to better herself that would take less than the 4 years a degree will take. Does anyone know of any programs, like medical tech, etc. that she could take for now to increase her income, postponing college for a year or two?

I don't think she could work full time AND part time AND go to college full time, or at least I know I couldn't!

[dietcokeaddict]

My ex dh took a med tech course and it was $5000. I know they have some financial aid available but it doesn't cover the whole cost. It was only about 5 months though and maybe 2-3 nights a week.

I don't know if that was the answer you were really looking for though...

[Pam in GA]

I'm wondering about types of courses, how long they last, how much they cost, and an idea of a salary range once finished. Just something to perhaps give her another direction that would help her situation quicker.

[PROUD2bWEIRD]

what about massage therapy school? Timedess (Renee) could fill you in on all the details! they make some awesome money when they are finsihed!!!! (and time wise I don't think it's too bad either..maybe a year/?? I am guessing!?)

[dietcokeaddict]

Jason went to Medvance http://www.medvance.edu/

I'm not sure where you all live, but I'm certain that there probably is a similar program/school in most states.

They offer massage programs, medical tech classes, phlebotomy courses, etc. I don't know how much all of the programs cost, but Jason's was about $5000 and was roughly 5-6 months, I think. It did not include the cost of scrubs (color coded based on the program), but it did include the books I think. It was about 6 years ago that he took his classes.

Medvance accepts federal grants and federal student aid, so that may be an option for her.

[MrsUSMC]

Pam, check at the local community college. Ours has a Regional Occupational Program which is a tax-supported statewide public education vocational training program. ROP offers tuition-free courses regardless of income and serves all residents 16 years of age and older. It may be called something different at your school. Our CC also has other programs for nursing, dental tech, xray tech, etc. I believe the dental tech and xray tech programs are about a year long.

She can also look into what the business department offers. Our CC has an office assistant program that can be taken at your own speed that gives you a certificate as a receptionist and a secretary. They have a great job placement program too.

I'm back...I googled Atlanta and found this school. I know nothing about it, but if you'll look they offer certificates:

http://www.atlantatech.org/student_info/programs_of_study.html

If she could get in and take the General Office Assistant courses, she could probably get them to help her find an office job, and then she could go on to get certified in a higher position area, or even get her degree.

[Pam in GA]

Thanks everyone! I talked to her more tonight and she's interested in accounting and finance. I'll suggest that she look into taking some type of bookkeeping classes so that maybe she can get a job in that area while working toward her degree.

[hearenger]

Thanks everyone! I talked to her more tonight and she's interested in accounting and finance. I'll suggest that she look into taking some type of bookkeeping classes so that maybe she can get a job in that area while working toward her degree.

If she is interested in finance, perhaps she can get a teller job at a bank. A lot of banks pay for continuing education, and they have great benefits.
Heather

[platypus]

I used to work in financial aid at a college, so I can lend a bit of information for you to help her...

First, she needs to fill out the FAFSA online www.fafsa.ed.gov , make sure she fills out the one for the semester she wishes to begin (07-08 for summer, 08-09 for fall and beyond) and put the school's code on the FAFSA --it will have a drop-down selection box. Second, fill out an application for the local community college and get all of her administrative paperwork to the office of admission. Then, she needs to contact the local community college financial aid office (about a week later) to confirm that they have received it, ask if there is any additional information they need, and also inquire about any programs for single mothers or women who are first-time college students. Our office had both scholarships and a working mom program that helped them cover the cost of computers, childcare for young ones, and sometimes even transportation. The key here is that in her situation, she should not have to pay for ANYTHING. Pell grants, additional federal and state grants, applicable first-time non-traditional student grants/scholarships and single mother programs. She should MAKE MONEY going to school. I've seen lots of women who receive checks with 2-4k AFTER tuition each semester. There is hope!

As far as finance/accounting go, she can get a bookkeeping certificate (~1 yr program), although I'm not really sure how much that will help her if she really wants to do accounting. She can get an associates degree in accounting, that will take 2 yrs going full-time. I have seen lots of women do it. Classes are generally taught in the evenings once a week, in three-hr increments 530-830 but rarely last that long. This will give her time to get caught-up over the weekends since she only has each class once a week.

Hope that helps... :)