Grant Proposals Writing Guide

          Going to college can be an overwhelming experience, especially for a single mother. A mom who has decided to better her and her children by going to college has taken a drastic step. There are long hours of class time and studying, and perhaps having another job (or two) in between just to pay the bills. It’s a task that most people couldn’t imagine taking on; but the government can make it a bit easier.

          A lot of single mothers rely on student loans to help get them through this trying time. These loans must be paid back, starting 6 months from graduation. However, Uncle Sam can lighten the load a bit. The US government provides grants to single moms, because they know that in the long run college graduates make more money, and in turn contribute to the economy in positive ways.

          The best place to look for government grants is through the school you intend on attending. The student aid department will do all they can to make your higher education possible. It’s the best place to start. Although the money from a grant isn’t required to be paid back, it doesn’t come easily. You have to make a case for yourself, by writing a letter of intent or a grant proposal. Basically, you state your goals and why you’re deserving of financial help toward your college expenses.

          There are resources online that can help you write a good proposal. Make sure your proposal is convincing, well written, and your grammar and spelling is top notch. Showing the initiative, and making a case for yourself is a great skill for applying for work after college. Grants help students in all sorts of ways. Grants are available through the government, but private organizations also provide grants for people of differing circumstance. The student aid department can determine if you fit the criteria.

          A personal story I’d like to share is that of my mother. She went to school after my parents divorced. After my father and her were married, she worked menial jobs at restaurants and in day care. She never went to college. Once my parents were divorced though, we found ourselves living in a homeless shelter. We had nothing. It was devastating. My mother wouldn’t allow us to starve though. She visited the financial aid department of a local community college and was educated on different grants she could apply for to help lighten the load. She applied for, and was awarded a Pell Grant through the US government. She took out a loan to pay for college, and went to school for two years to do what she still does 25 years later. This money helped her be able to pay off her student loans in a few years, instead of a dozen. It helped our family, and she was able to provide for us independently from there on out. Not having to pay back the Pell Grant was definitely a relief for my mother, and she could focus on taking care of us. She did it, and so do thousands of single moms. It’s hard work, but a little perseverance and hard work PAYS off.