OT ~ wanting to go to college...

First off I apologize, I mostly lurk around here now. 

I'm in a quandry...I think I just figured out what I really want to do in life.  After working in payroll for 12 years and being really disturbed with the recent events in the news, I've decided that I want to go into criminal justice.  BUT it requires a 4 year degree and I have NEVER been to college so I have nothing to start on.  I may do a Psychology degree with a criminal justice emphasis.  Now keep in mind I'm just in the exploring phase.

But what I want to know is...have any of you done something like this when you were a single mom and how did you do it?   

Paula:

Obviously I am not a single mom, but one thing you might do is to fill out a FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  Do a Google search on FAFSA to find the form.  It will give you a really good idea how much the government will kick in towards your education.  Being a single Mom should put you in a good position to get grants towrd the cost of your education rather than just student loans.  Filling out a FAFSA the first time will probably take a few hours, but it is worth it and most colleges require you to have one on file anyway.

By the way, good for you on figuring out what you want to do with your life from this point forward.  the financial aid process is a pain in the ass, but it is set up to actually provide funding to people just like you.

RP

Thanks RP I'm gonna have to do that.  I should get started on that at least.

I can't speak to being a single parent, although I finished both my bachelor's degree and master's degree  working full time, and most of my classmates were parents with young children.  It was hard for me as a working adult, and I know it was hard for the students with children, but I guess somehow they made it work because they wanted it bad enough.  It's really an exercise in being organized and just finding time to get everything done.  It can be done - and it's really  neat to be an adult student because you seem to enjoy classes because you're mature enough to see the value in education.  I highly recommend it, and I think a lot of programs are set up well for adults, so I wish you the best!

Hi Paula,,

As a mom of a wonderful 2yr old, Princess Nemi as she is known around here. Her dad is with us so im not a single mom, but I go to school at Dunwoody College of Technology in Dwtn Mpls, I take 4-6 classes each semester, depending on the schedule, go 3days a week. My mom Karen, and bf Jason, take turns taking care of Nemi while im a school, so i dont have to worry bout daycare, but it is a struggle some days to juggle takin care of her and gettin my school work done, as she dont go to bed till 10-11pm (dont know why she is this way).. I am goin for Web Programming (designing web sites and stuff). The school is very understanding of havin children or health problems, I have Cystic Fibrosis so i tend to miss some days expecially in the winter with the cold weather,,, my doctor wrote a letter and they gave me accomidations for missing days and also for parking so i dont have to walk threw the entire lot.

Dunwoody has alot of different programs and they are wonderful, most classes are smaller so you get more one on one time with the teachers, most of my computer classes only have 10-15 students in them, so yeah lots of time, plus my teachers are very understanding about health and children issues, or even just things that come up like weather or car problems, etc...

Just a sugesstion check out the website and see if this school might be a good fit for you, they also have lots of loans that you can get, and they put out alot of scholarships, the staff in the office is wonderful they will help you with anything you need, all you have to do is ask the ?'s.. they even have a child care loan that you can apply for.

www.Dunwoody.edu

This has been a wonderful place for me to be able to get a start to do something with my schooling, and to make a better life for me and my family. I tried Brown College but they dont have the understanding about missing days as easy,, (found out 4 days before i started that i was 6wks preg, so i started missing days due to morning sickness, and got booted out of school)

Hope this will help you.
Laurie and Princess Nemi

Thank you Renee.

Building on what RP just told you:
I strongly recommend going to the schools you are looking at, and meeting with an advisor from the departments you are exploring.  IE, psych and law enforcement.  They can give you an inside perspective on what you desire for post-education employment, and what degree is going to help you best meet your goal.  Look for a school that will offer all of your classes at times where you are not at work (which is why I love Metro State).  I don't have kids, but I do know people who do, and I understand it is a bit of a juggling act.  Some are able to blast through with a full credit load, some need to pace it a bit and only go part-time.  Remeber this, you are young, and have forever to work ahead of you, so don't get intimidated by a part-time, timeline.  One hint, do your gen eds at a a community college (MN transfer curriculum), they can often be done online, and it's cheaper.

Good for you for making this new choice for your life.  Good luck!

Thanks so much Christi!  I feel OLD, but when I think of it long term I guess I have plenty of years ahead of me.  I just feel like I can hopefully help some people in this world.  Be something positive in this horrible world.  I'm checking into Northwestern.  They have a FOCUS program there, but I'm not entirely sure what that means.  So more research.  And anything I can do online is a plus! 

Find a school that works with moms and single parents. I think schools like St. Mary's and such work with you to get you through fast and without too much stress.

Congrats!! Here's hoping that you find the perfect college that works around your already busy schedule!!