Project Working Mom

Do mom skills apply to college?

Parents headed back to school may fear they won’t have what it takes to be successful students. But likely, many of the skills you use every day as a parent could help you navigate your college program – like multitasking, juggling multiple obligations and scheduling conflicts, staying organized, and ignoring distractions in order to focus on the task at hand. Likely, parenthood has taught you a thing or two about responsibility, and that could be an advantage many younger college freshmen don’t have. Hopefully, you’ve also learned to ask for help when you need it. Seeking assistance from professors and making use of college resources is an important part of being a student, and that just might be second nature for parents used to speaking up on behalf of their children.

Finally, working parents may have a lot at stake when they pursue a college degree. They may be likely willing to work harder than they thought possible to achieve a better life for not just themselves, but their kids as well. If that sounds like you, consider some of the resources that may be available to help working parents purse a college education. You might be surprised at what you’re capable of!

Your Guide to Researching Scholarships for Moms
Looking for info on scholarships for moms? If you’re a working mom who wants to go back to school to earn your degree, paying for it can be a big concern. But don’t let that get in the way of pursuing your dreams!
Tips for an Organized Life
We live in a busy society, and we’re constantly on the move. Organization is more than just an ideal to strive for; it’s a necessity. Whether your office is located in your home, your car, your company’s headquarters, or all of the above, you can apply these simple rules and achieve an organized environment.
Financial Assistance for Single-Parent/Low-Income Families
Single parents must juggle the challenged of earning a living, spending quality time with their children, and managing their household. Add it to the stress of trying to attend a college, even part-time and online, and it is easy to see how single parents can feel overwhelmed by all of their responsibilities.
Turning Mom Skills into Job Skills
Stay-at-home moms are often concerned about re-entering the workforce. They may worry about the gaps in their resumes, the advances in technology, or the skills they are lacking. But many employers report...
Myths of the Working Parent
There are many myths regarding working parents. While some of these myths portray parents as saints, willing to do anything and to give up everything for their spouses and children, the truth generally lies...
How Working Moms Can De-stress and Refocus
But what happens when your stress levels remain at this heightened state for longer than necessary? When your stress levels are higher than normal for an extended period of time, the response no longer helps you. It can be damaging to your health.
How to Balance Spending Time With Your Family and Continuing Your Education
Time is precious, especially when you are busy balancing work, family life, and adult education courses. Whether you are working towards an advanced degree, a certificate, or just taking some extra courses to help advance your career, it can be difficult to make time for your spouse, significant other, friends, or children.
How to Prioritize
To prioritize your tasks – call on an old fashioned technique called “the list.” But don’t stop with the common “to-do” list. These lists can become just as unwieldy and unhelpful as the chorus of beeps and dings emanating from your backpack. Create three lists: the to-do list, the to-do-later list, and the not-to-do list.
5 Topics to Discuss With Your Family Before You Start an Online Degree
Your decisions affect your family. You wouldn't buy a car or plan a vacation without considering household logistics, and your education is even more important than those examples. That's why you need to get your family on board before you start an online degree program.
How to Juggle Your Many Roles as Mom
You're a mom who wears many hats including going back to school. Instead of feeling frazzled by the demands of your numerous roles, try to revision them. The following bullets can help you minimize wasted time and undue stress.
How to Keep the Kids Busy While You Study
It's difficult enough balancing kids with housework, so the thought of successfully pursuing an online degree may seem impossible. However...those beautiful bundles of joy you brought into the world can not only be helpful in your pursuit of an online education, but can also assist in your home's upkeep.

Okay, Moms, Fill in the blank: I'd like to go back to school, but I don't have enough _____.

Time

Between your kids’ needs and your work headaches, the last thing you need is another time commitment, right? Wrong! Education is the first thing you need. A college degree is the clearest route to self-fulfillment and financial security. Learn how online education can fit in to your busy schedule, and see how other working moms have achieved their educational goals.

Money

If you’re putting off college because it’s too expensive, you might be in for a long wait. College costs continue to rise, and you’re still shut out from the higher-paying career you deserve. Instead of waiting, apply for a Project Working Mom full-tuition scholarship, plus learn more about financial aid options & personal budgeting.

Confidence

Every day, you teach your kids to grow and explore. Now is your chance to teach by example. Don’t let fears and insecurities hold you back. Besides, online colleges and universities may provide comprehensive support services for their students – everything from academic advising to career counseling. You could be a good student and a good mom.

Scholarship Opportunties for Working Parents

$10,000 Scholarships 4 Moms

Balancing family, life and your career can be overwhelming: Enter for the chance to get the help you need to seize your future

Apply Now

$10,000 Scholarships 4 Dads

Balancing family, life and your career can be overwhelming: Get yourself the help you need to seize the future!

Apply Now

What is Project Working Mom?

Project Working Mom aims to support and inspire the educational goals of working mothers across America. Project Working Mom helps people find scholarships for working moms and scholarships for dads going back to school. This project has made it possible for busy working moms to find financial resources to assist in their goals of returning to school. Additionally, the project has helped moms identify which degree may be right for them in going back to school and how to apply for educational scholarships, financial aid, and grants.

Project Working Mom has successfully elevated the issue of adult students’ needs to the level of national discourse. Thanks to Project Working Mom’s many inroads, we’re confident that community leaders and organizations will continue to address the barriers – time, money and confidence – that separate working parents from the higher education opportunities they need.

Scholarships for Working Moms

To date, 245 moms and dads received full-tuition scholarships for online degrees in their various fields. The awards granted through Project Working Mom are worth a combined total of 9 million dollars. And many of the recipients are already using their education to excel professionally.

If you’re among the millions of working moms or dads trying to support a family, you’ve probably given some thought to building a brighter future for yourself and your kids. If you’ve ever wondered how college could empower you to pursue new career goals, you might have heard of Project Working Mom. This program was created to help hardworking moms and dads pursue an education despite the many curveballs life can throw! Project Working Mom helped parents identify degree options that interested them, as well as possible financial resources to help make college a reality. Most importantly, Project Working Mom awarded 9 million dollars’ worth of full-tuition scholarships for online degrees to those who qualified, helping 245 moms and dads to pursue their college dreams.

Project Working Mom aims to help parents overcome the hurdles of higher education

In 2014, there were about 12 million single-parent families in the US, and more than 80% were headed by single mothers[i]. That means continued education for moms that work is particularly important! But many working moms and dads share similar roadblocks when it comes to going back to school. Some busy parents can’t find the time to attend classes in between a full-time job and taking care of the kids, housework, and other responsibilities. For moms and dads in this tough position, earning a college degree can seem impossible. Some may find that an online degree program offers a bit more flexibility and allows busy parents to complete coursework from anywhere with an internet connection – including at home after the kids are in bed! The option of online learning may be worth thinking about if a hectic schedule is getting in the way of your college goals.

Another major hurdle many single parents face is money. If you’re supporting kids and trying to make ends meet, it may be tough to imagine yourself affording college tuition. On the other hand, college may be a necessary step if you want to pursue a career that helps you pay the bills. Financial resources might be available to help those who qualify to make college a possibility. Consider looking into grants and scholarships for working moms, as well as federal and private financial aid and student loans that may be available to qualified individuals. You may also be able to use personal budgeting strategies in order to pay for college as you go.

While time and money are major reasons parents put off college, there’s a big, often-unspoken reason why moms and dads don’t go back to school: lack of confidence. Not believing in yourself can make college seem scary. You may worry that you won’t be able to handle your classes, or that you don’t have the strength to be both a student and a mom. Fortunately, many colleges have resources to help students like yourself – whether you need tutoring, academic advising, or career counseling. And while juggling student responsibilities along with parenting can be a challenge, many moms and dads jump at the chance to set a great example for their children.

Working parents who pursue their dreams

If you are a working parent planning to attend college, you’re not alone. In 2012, 17% of children from single-parent households had a parent who had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. For two-parent households, that number rose to 47%! [ii] Hopefully, more diverse educational opportunities for working parents will mean that even more moms and dads reach their goal of earning a college degree.

Sometime a little inspiration can help you picture yourself achieving your career dreams. Why not check out Working Mother Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Moms of 2015? Among these influential moms is Nancy Dubuc, President and CEO of A&E Networks and a mother of two. She’s won multiple Emmys and is one of today’s most powerful women in business. Angelina Jolie also made the list for juggling her work as an actor, writer, producer, director, and UN Ambassador with perhaps her favorite role: mother to six children. Other famous working moms include Kerry Washington, Sara Blakely (the inventor of Spanx), Tory Burch, Beyoncé, and lots of others.[iii] Of course, these powerful moms can afford the kind of help most parents don’t have—but everyone has to start somewhere!

[i]singlemotherguide.com/single-mother-statistics [ii]/nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_saa.asp [iii]workingmother.com/content/50-most-powerful-moms-2015?image=1