Studying at any time in your life is hard work but when you are a single parent, it can seem as if it is just a dream. Time and money are usually two things a single mom has very little of. Yet in todays economy a college education can be the difference between getting a decent job or being unemployed.

According to the US Census Bureau 78% of working mothers earn less than $30,000 a year. These jobs also tend to have poor benefits and can leave you and your family living in the poverty cycle. One way of pulling yourself and your family out of the poverty trap is by improving your education.

It can appear very daunting thinking about going back to school particularly if it has been a long time since you studied.  But you don't have to be scared or apprehensive.  Nobody is going to think badly of you. In fact quite the opposite as most people can only imagine the stress of trying to combine child rearing, managing a home and studying.

The good news is that most college courses can be taken in a timetable to suit you - if it takes 5 years to get your degree then so be it.  You will still be better off than if you carry on with your current lifestyle.  

If time is an issue, you could consider is an online course where you can take your classes at a time to suit you. When you have the kids in bed or they are at school or at a playdate. Whenever suits you - the courses are designed to be as flexible as possible whilst still providing an excellent education and appropriate qualifications.

There are some scholarship schemes that are available specifically for moms who want to get back into the workforce perhaps by upgrading their qualifications or even finishing school. You can save money by attending college online as you do not have to pay for childcare, commuting costs or eating out.

The drawback to an online course is that you can feel rather isolated. You can miss the daily interaction with your course students, but most online courses offer a student forum so although you don't get to meet in person you can discuss the challenges and opportunities your new course is causing.

It is also possible to win scholarships to fund your trip to college. If you are a winner, you can use the funds to cover the cost of books, childcare, debts and all other costs associated with going to college.