Last Updated on January 15, 2024 by Lori Pace
Paying off student loans is hectic, and being a single mother with debt and dealing with everything yourself is even worse. Luckily, we’ve found some student loan forgiveness programs that specifically assist single moms. Maybe they can help you too.
Did you know that the U.S. is ranked #1 for having the most single parents in the world? And that women lead 80% of this single-parent population. That’s over 15 million single moms in the U.S. alone. So, how does this make a difference in your life? These statistics mean that you have many opportunities available for debt relief programs.
The Types of Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
Let’s walk you through some of the types of student loan forgiveness programs available for single moms to help you get a better understanding.
- Some student loan forgiveness programs offer to pay your entire. Sounds too good to be true, though, right? But it’s a fact that we’re going to cover in a bit more detail later.
- Other grants offer to pay a portion of your student loan, so you could get more than one grant (from various sources) to help pay off your whole loan.
- You could opt for refinancing your loan (so getting a lower interest rate and shorter payment schedule on your loan). However, this means that your loan still exists; you only have better repayment options.
- Consolidate your loans by combining your various loans into one single monthly payment. This practice is more straightforward and also cuts down your monthly payment towards your student debt.
- Last but not least, you could cut a deal. This means your loan will be canceled in exchange for working in a specific area over a set period.
Where to Look for Student Loan Forgiveness Programs?
1. Look for loan relief programs within your profession (e.g., arts, finance, law, etc.).
There are plenty of organizations that use these loan forgiveness programs as an incentive or recruitment tool to get you to work for them. It’s a win-win situation; you both get what you want.
2. Don’t overlook federal government forgiveness programs; they might be your best bet.
Government hands-out programs that are not limited to your profession or position. The best part? They also offer loan cancellation or discharge (under extreme situations only) if you file for bankruptcy, etc.
3. Non-profit organizations like PeaceCorps.
These organizations are entitled to Public Service Loan Forgiveness and will offer to pay a portion towards your loan.
4. Get in touch with your university.
You can determine what loan forgiveness programs they have in place and whether you qualify for them. This may be another recruitment tool scenario, though, where you have to offer your services to them for a specific time to be eligible for the program.
5. If you are employed, look at what your company has to offer.
They could award you a total of $ 10,000 towards your loan.
6. Crowdfunding platforms are a big deal.
You could get your entire student loan paid off by donors. Thousands of people and organizations generate funding via this incredible online concept every day! It’s credible and easy to use.
Now let’s take a look at the formalities: What is REQUIRED of you to apply for student loan forgiveness programs?
Requirements for Forgiveness Programs:
You can apply for loan forgiveness programs online via the organizations’ website (how easy, right). Some applications prefer it the good old-fashioned way – through the mail.
Requirements vary according to the different programs. But like any other official application process, they require:
- Name of your university
- Proof of your qualification (degree certificate)
- Proof of employment (letter from employer or salary slip)
- Driver’s license or passport
- Proof of residence (utility bill with your name)
- Details of the loan
Now that the boring stuff is done & dusted, we can move on to the part you’ve been looking forward to.
TOP 5 Student Loan Forgiveness Programs for Single Mums
1. GoFundMe
This is not the traditional loan forgiving idea you probably had in mind, but trust us, it’s effective! GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform proven to reduce decades of debt for student loans. It’s created an opportunity for YOU to live debt-free!
Skeptical? Listen to this.
Shannon Otto had her nursing license suspended because she couldn’t pay back her student loans. She created a GoFundMe fundraiser and raised over $ 9,000! This was the first step towards financial freedom for her, and it could be for you too.
2. The Perkins Loan Cancellation
Do you have a Perkins Loan? Are you a teacher? Then you are qualified to apply! You can get 100% of your loan forgiven; all you have to do is work for 5 years in a public service job.
3. The Obama Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Are you interested in refinancing your loan? This is an excellent option for you! They provide affordable repayment plans depending on your needs.
4. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Are you a government employee? Maybe you’re working for an NPO? Then this program is for you! It offers excellent benefits the remainder of your loan will be forgiven after 10 years or after 120 certified payments.
5. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award
This is the perfect option for moms who are highly motivated and still pursuing their studies (you need to be in college to qualify for this award currently). Every year, they give three awards, varying from $ 1,000 to $ 10,000 dollars.
Protect Yourself From Scams
We all know that it can be hazardous when you’re dealing with money and third parties! So, it would be best if you were extra cautious. We’ve highlighted a few tips to help protect you:
- Don’t be a victim of scams! Avoid making any upfront payments to third parties who claim that they offer student loan forgiveness.
- If you can’t pay back your government or public loans, apply for an income-driven repayment plan with your loan provider.
- Beware of the red flags. Avoid third parties who use pressure tactics to freak you out or push you into making a decision you won’t be happy about.
- Don’t fall for empty promises. There is no such thing as fast loan forgiveness.
In Conclusion
Finally, we hope this article gave you the correct assistance to improve your chances of being part of some student loan forgiveness programs, especially if you’re one of our single moms. However, if you have other questions or are looking for college scholarships or loans for single moms, follow the appropriate links for more information.
