Being a single parent and full-time student can be hard.

I thought this story was interesting, because many people often ask me how have I made it this long in school with 2 children.  Well, truth be told, if it wasn’t for ALL kinds of governmental assistance, family, friends, love and support I would have never made it. 

When a single parent decides to go to college full-time all pride about where your support comes from must be laid aside.  Many people have a problem with accepting welfare, Medicaid and living at home with parents or even living on campus.  But if you want to fully dedicate yourself to your studies as well as make sure your children are fed and have a roof over their heads then any of the above options are great ideas.

When you have a PLAN an idea that generally would be frowned upon could end up being your best option.  You have to think outside of the box, because your grades may not be good enough to get an assistantship, or you may not have time to do work-study. 

So when all else fails go to your local welfare agency and they will point you in the right direction when it comes to support.  Many of them are so glad to meet people that are trying to do something that they may even offer you a job.  You’ll be surprised what you find when you put your pride aside and ask for help.  Read the story below and see how this mom put her plan together.

The strain of raising children, working full-time and trying to get an education is compounded by the cost of college, so for Jonesboro resident and ASU freshman Robin Snider, a single mother of three, the Gov. Mike and Ginger Beebe Single Parent Scholarship was a welcome surprise.

Snider is the first recipient of a new scholarship named in honor of Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, an ASU graduate, and his wife Ginger.

The scholarship awarded Snider $500 for the fall semester.

The scholarship, whose funds total $1,000 a year, is split between two different recipients each semester.

 ”It helps quite a bit,” Snider said. “It was enough to cover my books.”

 Snider was surprised when she received the scholarship, which is awarded to single parents with a g.p.a of 2.5 or higher.

Snider, who has a g.p.a. of 3.89, was applying for a different scholarship when she was told she qualified.

 Snider has three children, two of which, Hailie, 23, and Chase, 19, are currently students at ASU. The other, 16-year-old Alex, is a junior at Valley View High School.

Snider said they tease her about her commitment to her g. p. a.

  ”My kids give me a hard time about it because they say I’m obsessed,” she said. “I just try to stay focused on that degree.”

Snider is part of the communications disorders program at the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

She said the program drew her interest because of her 10 years of experience in the area of special education and the need for people in that field.

In addition to taking 12 hours of classes this semester, Snider also works full-time at the Arkansas Parent Training and Information Center, a program funded through the Department of Education.

She said she helps work as a liaison between schools and parents and acts as an advocate for special needs children.

 Snider said the scholarship money will help, but that life is still a balancing act between family, work and school.

 ”It can be quite challenging sometimes,” she said. “But we all pull together.”