Pell Grants, from the Federal Government, help divorced single mothers (or dads) go back to school. Here are good 2-year degrees to consider.
Pell Grant
There is a lot of talk from President Obama about "Moms Return to School" and "Obama's Scholarship for Moms" programs. The President is definitely on the right track, encouraging single mothers to go back to school, because if these moms (or dads) pick the right degree they can make good money. “Moms Return to School” is not a program exclusively for single mothers, but rather an enhancement of the existing Pell Grant program, begun in 1965, established to help low-income people attend college.
A Pell Grant is free money from the Federal Government for people, who meet a government-mandated formula, demonstrating “financial need”. The form that must be filled out is called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
To find out how much financial aid a single mother would qualify for, the mother must fill out an application for the college or university of her choice (including online colleges and community colleges). There are online application forms, as well. The FAFSA application asks single moms to give information about their income and the number of children they have.
Associate Degree
Many good college programs are 2-year degrees or associate degrees. A two-year program often makes more sense for a single mom than a 4-year degree. There are two reasons:
- A mom gets through school faster and is ready to start making money sooner.
- The “Moms Return to School” Pell Grant program does not cover all costs. The longer a single or divorced mom is in school, the more it will cost her.
Now that there are so many young people with 4-year degrees who cannot find work, a 2-year degree seems to make a lot of sense for many Americans.
Best 2-Year Degrees
One of the best fields of study is healthcare. This is because:
- Aging Baby Boomers will need more care as they age, leading to job growth.
- Healthcare jobs cannot be outsourced to India or China.
According to the article “The 10 Best Jobs With an Associate Degree” at monster.com, the ten best degrees are:
- Dental Hygienists: Graduates of this program clean teeth, take x-rays, and work alongside dentists. The average salary of a hygienist is $69,000 annually, though wages vary by area. (All salary information is from indeed.com.)
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: Sonographers perform ultrasounds of internal organs. Average salary is $70,000 per annum.
- Respiratory Therapists: These therapists help people with breathing disorders. Average salary is $52,000 annually.
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: These techs take x-rays and manage radiology equipment. Average salary is $61,000 per year.
- Occupational Therapy Assistants: They work with occupational therapists to help injured or elderly people relearn daily tasks. Average salary is $67,000 annually.
- Physical Therapist Assistants: These therapists work alongside physical therapists to help patients gain mobility, deal with chronic pain, and help decrease disabilities. Average salary is $100,000 per year.
- Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician: These Technologists assist physicians in treating heart ailments. Average salary is $50,000 per annum.
- Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse: LPNs work alongside RNs (Registered Nurses) and doctors to care for sick, injured, or convalescing patients. Average salary is $48,000 annually.
- Surgical Technologists: These technologists help during surgical procedures and prep patients. Average salary is $43,000 per year.
- Massage Therapists: Massage therapy is used to treat pain, reduce stress, and help rehabilitate injuries. Average Salary is $60,000 yearly.
Single and divorced mothers should investigate Pell Grants and other forms of financial aid to help defray the cost of college tuition. Many 2-year degrees prepare a student for better jobs than a baccalaureate degree.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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