Moms Going Back to School: Path to Earning Your Degree

A better tomorrow begins with a single step. By going back to school, you’re investing in your dreams. You’re working toward a goal that can positively impact your family’s livelihood. As a mom going back to school, you’re not only actualizing your own educational and career goals but also inspiring your children to believe in the power of a good education — to reach higher and dream bigger. You, and your children, are daring to be brave.

You’re busy. From raising a family to building a career, you may not have much free time available. However, there are a wide array of online and on-campus degree programs designed for working adults and parents. You can find a program that fits your lifestyle, making it easier to balance your personal responsibilities while also pursuing an education. If you’re considering going back to school, make sure to seek out resources, tips, and information on how you can help make your educational transition a successful one.

From simple time management tips to critical information about financial aid, this guide will help you make an informed decision and empower you to take that pivotal first step.

Discover the following sections of this guide:

You’re planning ahead. Looking toward the future. You want to learn and sharpen your skills. You want to accomplish something substantial and create a better tomorrow. Mothers, like all parents, want a positive future for their families. By going back to school, you’re aiming for career growth, financial benefits, and that important sense of satisfaction that comes from achieving a challenging goal. By choosing to go back to school, you’ll start down the path toward advancing not only yourself but also your family.

The facts support your choice to go back to school. Studies show that college graduates are more likely to be employed, remain employed, and boast higher annual and lifetime earnings as compared to those who don’t hold a college degree. They’re also more likely to have access to employer-sponsored pension and health insurance plans.

A college degree can also pay off in the long run. According to research published by the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Office of Retirement Policy, having a college degree has a substantial impact on an individual’s overall lifetime earnings:

However, a degree offers more than just future financial security. As a mother, by pursuing a college degree, you’re leading by example and making an impression on the ones who matter the most: your children. Research has shown that with a college degree, you’re investing in your health: Earning a degree can positively impact your overall life expectancy, as individuals with college degrees have been shown to exhibit healthier behaviors, are able to access health information and navigate the national healthcare system more efficiently, and have overall improved psychological well-being as compared to those who lack a college education.

If you’re thinking about going back to school, there’s a wide range of online degree programs and certificates to choose from. Check out your options, and learn how an online degree can help you achieve your goals.

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Going back to school as a parent takes creativity and perseverance and sometimes can require a nontraditional approach to learning. These four steps can help you earn a college degree:

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The potential challenges of adding school into the mix of motherhood can seem sizable at first. However, every challenge comes with a creative solution and a chance to grow. For moms like you daring to be brave and choosing to go back to school, it’s about the end goals: pursuing a satisfying career, advancing your abilities, increasing your financial stability, and setting an example for your children.

Here are some of the top potential challenges that parents may face when going back to school. With a few tips and the support of your family and friends along the way, you can overcome these challenges and enjoy a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

The elusive work-life balance may seem tougher with school added to the mix. With children, work, and family responsibilities, you might be wondering how you’ll be able to manage it all.

Solution: A growing number of reputable, well-established, nonprofit higher education institutions are offering online programs — in part to support the needs and demands of today’s nontraditional college students. Online programs are usually quite flexible: Students can often complete their coursework not only on their own schedule but also from the comfort of their own homes. This makes it easier for you to maintain an effective personal balance while pursuing a full-time or part-time education.

As a mom returning to school, you may think that you’re not prepared for the amount of coursework that comes with pursuing a degree and don’t have an idea of what to expect.

Solution: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get the information you need before enrolling. Speak with an enrollment adviser (EA), who can help you gain an idea of what to expect with your coursework. Also, reach out to alumni. These former students can offer insight into what prospective students might expect from their course loads. Alumni organizations can help connect you with former or current students through student portals and social media platforms, such as LinkedIn.

Moms going back to school are sometimes hesitant to consider higher education due to the costs, especially if they haven’t explored the available options for financing their education.

Solution: Many universities and colleges often provide guidance to students on an individual basis. For instance, you can speak with an EA, who may be able to address any questions you might have concerning loans, grants for mothers going back to school, or scholarships for mothers going back to school. Advisers can point you in the direction of financial aid options that are intended for mothers going back to school. Furthermore, you can develop a savings or budget plan for your time during school to help ensure that you meet all your expenses. Lastly, most online programs allow you an element of flexibility with your course scheduling — this can allow you to maintain a full-time job to support yourself and your family while also pursuing an education on a full-time or part-time basis.

Some of the most common sources of information on college for many people are friends, family, and co-workers. However, few speak directly with an admissions advisor or an EA or research colleges online.

Solution: Advisors understand the ins and outs of the college programs they represent. Ask questions and talk with them online, via email, or over the phone to ease your concerns. Additionally, you should visit your desired college’s website to learn more information about the school’s curriculum and admission requirements. Many schools host informational webinars to prepare you for enrollment and connect you with faculty, advisers, and alumni. It’s also a good idea to follow the college’s social media channels, so you can become a little more familiar with the school’s culture and image.

Tuition and convenience shouldn’t be your only determining factors when choosing a school. In the hunt for the right school, many prospective students don’t consider a school’s graduation rate, accreditation, or the types of jobs graduates accept — these metrics are just as important, if not more so, than convenience or tuition.

Solution: Speak to a counselor or advisor, and do some research to learn more about a school’s graduation rate and accreditation. Information about a school’s accreditation, average graduation rates, and more can be found on its website.

When you decide to go back to school, it’s vital to assess all your options and potential concerns. Once you’ve done so, and you’ve done the proper amount of research to address any of your concerns, you can make an informed decision about going back to school.

Here are a few points to consider:

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Balancing motherhood, student life, and a career is possible — and easier — with proper time management and effective study habits. If you’re going back to school, these new changes can be exciting and invigorating for both you and your family. With the support of your family, advisors, professors, and peers, you’ll be motivated to excel in your studies.

Here are some tips that can help moms navigate going back to school.

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Fortunately, nonprofit organizations, private companies, and various government initiatives are helping turn college dreams into a reality. Certain grants, scholarships, and other resources provided by charities are geared especially toward moms going back to school. Financial aid can help mothers defray some of the costs associated with pursuing a degree.

When going back to school, it’s vital to remember that there will be new expenses. From school supplies to new computer software, there are different costs to consider when budgeting. Here are a few costs that you should be aware of:

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Financial assistance is not out of reach for mothers who are eager to go back to school. In fact, there are a number of scholarships available for mothers going back to school. Here’s a sample of popular scholarships for mothers who are keen on returning to school.

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In addition to scholarships, there are a number of state, federal, and institutional grants for mothers going back to school that can help ease financial strains.

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In addition to scholarships and grants, there are a number of charities available to single mothers and mothers in need. These charitable contributions can assist in areas of a mother’s life outside of education.

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Going back to school means you’re that much closer to building a better future. Remember, the difference between dreaming and pursuing is a single step.

To learn more about how you can start the process of going back to school for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree, schedule an appointment with an enrollment adviser today. With the support of friends and family, financial assistance from various organizations, and the guidance of a school counselor and an EA, you’ll be well prepared to excel in your studies and pursue a higher education.

Hey Moms! Here are some other resources to consider when taking the next step:

Going Back to School at 30

Going Back to School at 40

Frequently Asked Questions by Adults Continuing Their Education

Maryville University Online

Recommended Reading

College Student Wellness Guide for Remote Learners

What Is Work-Life Balance vs. Work-Life Harmony?

How to Make a Career Comeback

Sources

CollegeScholarships.org, Financial Aid for Single Moms

Frank, Work-Life Balance: Tips for Working Moms Going Back to School

Parents, “10 Things to Consider Before Going Back to School as a Parent”

Scholarships for Women, Scholarships for Married Women

U.S. Social Security Administration, Education and Lifetime Earnings