Attending Nursing School As A Single Parent

Single parents in college juggle a full load of responsibilities on top of academics, and nursing school raises the stakes. The good news: many programs offer resources built for exactly this situation. The trick is knowing what's available. Here's what to look for in program options, scholarships, and financial aid.

A few numbers worth knowing:

• Nearly 10% of U.S. undergraduates are single parents.
• The majority are women of color, particularly Black and Native American/Alaska Native students.
• Single parents with only a high school diploma are three times more likely to live in poverty than those with a bachelor's degree.

Source: Higher Learning Advocates

Finding a Program That Fits

Childcare is the first hurdle. Some areas face shortages, with waitlists that stretch for months. But more than 1,500 colleges and universities offer oncampus childcare for student parents. Many also provide free or discounted meals for students' children, plus mentoring, counseling, and parent support groups.

Several schools with nursing programs offer childcare and family support:

• Arizona State University: Multiple childcare centers and two assistance programs. The Sun Devil Subsidy pays a lump sum each semester; the CCAMPIS Child Care Subsidy covers up to 95% of costs at designated oncampus centers.
• Florida Gulf Coast University: Priority enrollment at the Little Eagles Learning Center, plus help accessing state childcare resources.
• Framingham State University: A tuition discount at the Early Childhood Center, which serves children up to age 6.
• University of Oregon: Reimbursement subsidies for childcare at approved on- and off-campus facilities.
• Fort Hays State University: Low-cost enrollment at the Tiger Tots Preschool Center near campus.
• Essex County College: Free, low-cost, or subsidized childcare at the college's Child Development Center.

Why Online School Can Work

Online programs carry real advantages for single parents, though most still require in-person clinicals even when the coursework is online.

• Flexibility: Attend class and complete work on your own schedule, around work and family.
• Lower costs: Skip parking, commuting, and on-campus service fees.
• Active learning: Online discussions give you time to gather your thoughts before you participate, which some students find easier.
• More choices: Enroll in the right program without uprooting your family to relocate.

Parenting solo is financially harder, and that shows up in college outcomes:

• 89% of single parents in college have low incomes.
• Single mothers are less likely to finish college than married mothers and women without children.
• Most single parents spend at least 30 hours a week caring for their children.

Source: Institute for Women's Policy Research

Tips That Actually Help

• Ask for help. Use your school's resources for student parents and talk to an advisor. Some degree paths move you into the workforce faster than others.
• Find scholarships. Many target single parents specifically. See the list below.
• Protect your health. Going back to school as a parent is hard work. Guard against burnout by making time for rest, movement, and the things you enjoy.
• Claim your tax breaks. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit lets you deduct up to 35% of childcare expenses, depending on income. You qualify if you paid someone to care for a dependent under 13, or an adult dependent who can't care for themselves.

The payoff for finishing is large:

• A single mother with a bachelor's degree earns over $625,000 more across her lifetime than one with only a high school diploma.
• A single mother with an associate degree earns roughly $256,000 more over a lifetime than one with only a high school diploma.

Source: Institute for Women's Policy Research

Scholarships for Single Parents in Nursing School

Financial instability is one of the biggest obstacles, but there's aid built for it. These scholarships support single parents pursuing a nursing degree.

Colwell Law Group Single Parent Scholarship

• Who can apply: Single parents, individuals going through a divorce, or the child of a single parent pursuing college.
• Amount: $1,000

Answer Scholarship

• Who can apply: Nontraditional female students 25 or older who are the primary caregiver for at least one school-aged child.
• Amount: Varies

Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation

• Who can apply: Low-income single mothers seeking their first degree (vocational, associate, bachelor's, or master's) from a nonprofit, accredited institution.
• Amount: Up to $5,000

Women's Independence Scholarship Program

• Who can apply: Low-income women who survived intimate partner abuse within the previous seven years and sought support from a nonprofit agency. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited program.
• Amount: $500 to $2,000 per term

Capture the Dream Single Parent Scholarship

• Who can apply: Low-income single parents in the San Francisco Bay Area enrolled at an accredited nonprofit institution.
• Amount: $1,000

Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award

• Who can apply: Low-income women who are the primary financial support for themselves and their dependents, enrolled or accepted into an accredited undergraduate or vocational program, and living in a Soroptimist member country or territory.
• Amount: $1,000 to $16,000

Childcare Grants

• Who can apply: Some state and federal programs offer childcare grants for low-income student parents.
• Amount: Varies by state. Eligibility requirements and application fees may apply.

Other Financial Aid Options

Beyond scholarships, look at grants, federal and private loans, and employer tuition assistance.

With some planning, single parents can finish and pay for a nursing education. Your school and your fellow students will back you up. Move at your own pace, go easy on yourself, and know that the degree is within reach.