Time has not been on your side. You barely have time to take care of the little ones and work full time! There just never seems to be enough time to do everything, let alone go back to school and attain or complete your college degree.

Finances are an issue now adding a tuition check to each month’s budget does not seem like an option. What do you do? The US Census Bureau reports that about 20% of American families are single-parent households, and in most case the breadwinner is a mother. In addition 95% of the single parents make less than $75,000 a year in income. So, for many going back to school without some form of financial aid is not an option.

According to a United States Department of Labor report, in addition to working full time, the average mom spends another ten hours a day running house hold activities, taking care of family members, cleaning, cooking, washing, buying groceries, playing with the children, running car pools and many other tasks and responsibilities.

The good news is that there are many programs available for working parents (both moms and dads) through accredited distance learning programs as well as financial resources such as scholarships and grants to support working parents. Government and private foundation programs are available specifically for single parents and working mothers.

The first step is to determine what you want to study in college. Next, determine the available financial resources from your prospective university or college. You can get this information from the financial aid office. You can also do a thorough Internet search for resources available in databases. In addition, stop by the local library and look through the annual scholarship reports. These tend to have the most current information. Something to remember is that many scholarships have deadlines so be sure to submit your application ahead of time. Determine what information needs to be submitted and prepare it ahead of schedule, for example letters of recommendation or career goals statements. Also be sure to look closely at the criteria for eligibility. Some financial aid is only available to students in certain areas such as mathematics, engineering, or nursing.

The next step is time management. Given all the things on your plate, adding school to the list can be overwhelming. Create a routine and try and stick to it. For instance, ensure that the kids are in bed by a certain time so that you can study without interruptions. Make lunches the evening before rather than trying to rush in the morning. Also, delegate tasks to the family members so that you do not have to do it all alone. This will create less stress and allow you to be able to concentrate better in your studies. Keep a planner or calendar so that you always have an idea of activities that are coming up to avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed.

As far as succeeding in your classes, there are a few strategies that you can employ. First, find out what each of your instructors expects from you early in the course. Then, ensure you read the syllabus thoroughly and ask any questions sooner than later. Write down due dates for assignments and exam dates and study ahead of time.

Dont wait until the last minute to start working on your big class project or term paper. Creating self-deadlines is a good strategy get this going. Be sure to prioritize your assignments and your work or home activities ensuring nothing gets pushed back. Pace yourself and do not be afraid to ask for help. It is also very important to be self confident and to tell yourself you can do it.