Single Parents and the College Financial Crunch
by Dale Clifton
Published on this site: January 10th, 2006 - See
more articles from this month
The price of gas and college continue to go up, up and up.
The price of college and university attendance is twice as
expensive as eight years ago. Gas prices may ease, but financial
experts are not predicting any drop in college expenses within
the foreseeable future. Congress is cutting back on loans
and government
sponsored scholarships. Industry has also cut back on the
amount of scholarship dollars.
We hear a lot of talk about dead beat moms and dads who won't
pay child support even when they can afford it. They run and
hide, change their names and get new social security numbers.
Some even cross the border. Then they get lost in the system,
sometimes forever. Expect them to help with college, forget
it! And, as of this year, every college students will graduate
owing an average of $23, 841. In four years the amount is
expected to be well over $30,000.
Do not despair single parent. Whether you have lost your
spouse through sickness, divorce, accident or? You do have
options but:
Do not "put off" discussing college with your student.
Do it now! Find out if he/she has college on the mind. Is
there a particular institution? What are they interested in
studying? They may not know right now. Have they thought about
the reality of college costs? How do they think it will be
paid for? Who will pick up
the bill?
What is a single parent, you, supposed to do? What are your
alternatives? First, realize that your child may not be interested
in college right now. But, many
students change their minds at the last minute. In fact, almost
81% of all students, who claim no university interest, change
their minds in their senior
year. You cannot afford to take that chance. Don't wait!
Start in middle school/junior high talking about the importance
of college. Send away for college literature and leave it
in conspicuous places around the house.
Have relatives or friends discuss their college experiences
in front of your child. Take short visits on the weekend to
the college or university in your area. Make sure to visit
the canteen and order a sandwich. Go to the campus bookstore.
Get some souvenirs to take home. Mention the importance of
grades. Encourage the college spirit by supporting teams in
person or on television. Stress the value of
college scholarships in money as well as prestige. Get active.
Start accumulating books, magazine and newspaper articles
on scholarships. And, check out local libraries for scholarship
materials.
Even with government and business cutbacks, there is still
billions of scholarship dollars out there. Your student can
win with support and encouragement. Become a promoter and
persuade the whole family to "Catch Scholarship Fever."
You can do it. Your student can do it. You know you can, and
the financial reward can result in thousands of dollars.
Remember, the scholarship effort is truly a family affair
and everything in life is a decision. Make the right one today
for your scholarship success.
To learn more about planning to win scholarships visit http://ScholarshipDoctor.com
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The Scholarship Doctor, Dale Clifton. Dale is
educational consultant and expert at helping families win
college scholarships.
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