Many non-traditional college students, like single parents, have trouble paying for higher-education costs. This is often because they historically haven’t had the same access to scholarships as recent high school graduates. 

But now, more options are available to single parents and other non-traditional students pursuing a college degree. 

Private student loans are one way for single parents to fund their education. Credible lets you compare private student loan rates from multiple lenders, all in one place.

You can apply for federal student aid to help pay for college tuition and costs by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools use the information from the FAFSA to determine what types of federal aid you’re eligible for.

Be prepared to provide the following information:

You need to complete your FAFSA during the submission period, which generally runs from Oct. 1 through June 30 for the following school year. But some states have different deadlines. You can check your state’s deadline on the StudentAid.gov website.

You’ll also need to contact the colleges you’re interested in attending, as they may have specific deadlines that differ from the federal FAFSA deadlines. Financial aid is limited, so it’s best to complete your FAFSA as early as possible.

Single parents who need financial assistance to pay for a college education have a few options, including scholarships, grants, and student loans —both federal and private.

Start with grants and scholarships, since these don’t need to be repaid and will reduce your overall education expenses. You can search millions of scholarships by using Sallie Mae’s Scholarship Search tool. These scholarships are broken down into categories to match an applicant’s circumstances and skills. 

For example, women and single mothers looking to get a job in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or math) can apply for awards from industry groups. Scholarships are also available for single moms who want to attend nursing school.

You might also consider private student loans to help cover your education costs. Visit Credible to compare private student loan rates from various lenders in minutes.

Single parents with financial need can apply for grants. The biggest grant provider is the federal government. But states, corporations, and private organizations offer them as well. Like scholarships, grants don’t need to be paid back.

These are some federal grants that are available for single parents:

Single parents also have access to some of the same federal student loans as recent high school graduates. The Department of Education offers three types of federal loans:  

You may be able to get a private student loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender if you don’t want to fill out the FAFSA, if you missed the FAFSA deadline, or if you need additional funds after you’ve exhausted your federal aid options.

Private student loans are based on your credit. If you have excellent credit, the interest rate you’re offered might be better than a federal loan’s interest rate. It pays to compare loan options from multiple lenders, including loan amounts, interest rates, and repayment terms. You might also want to ask whether the lender offers any discounts for single parents.

With Credible, you can compare private student loan rates without affecting your credit.