Going back to school is a great move for many single mothers. It would certainly help their career. But getting a degree is like an education. You have to put money into it in order to reap the rewards later. And you have to put a sizable chunk of money in. The cost of tuition, room and board can really add up.

The cost of going back to school can seem daunting, but there is help for single mothers in the form of financial assistance. The government gives Pell Grants for single mothers for those that cannot afford tuition on their own.

To apply for the Pell Grants for single mothers, first you have to fill out a FAFSA. You can find this at the FAFSA website where you can either fill out the form electronically or print it out. When filling out FAFSA, you will need to provide your financial situation which includes your income and assets.

The Pell Grant is given to students based on income and assets. The more income and assets you have, the less money you will get. If you are still dependent of your parents, their income will also be included in the calculation.

You do not need to apply separately for the Pell Grant. Everyone that sends in the FAFSA is automatically considered for a Pell Grant.

After you send in your FAFSA, you should receive a SAR. This report will show you a summary of the information that you put on your FAFSA. Look it over carefully for mistakes.

Try to send your FAFSA in early. That way you have a chance to apply to more scholarships too. Scholarships have different deadlines so if you get your FAFSA back too late then you will miss out on some scholarships.

Pell Grants for single mothers is the best way to pay for school. You do not need to repay it like a loan and you do not need to compete with others to get it like scholarships. As long as you meet the criteria, you will get a Pell Grant.

Mandy Chen is a school advisor who has helped many students get single mother pell grants. To find out further information, please visit her website.