9 Ways Parents Can Afford Going Back to School

Paying for college while raising children can feel overwhelming, but there are several ways that can help reduce how much you spend.

Below, we’ll go over nine options to lower the cost of your education, including grants and scholarships, community college, and employer tuition reimbursement programs.

Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be the first step for parents trying to reduce college costs since it’s used to determine whether you qualify for federal grants, which you don’t have to pay back.

Common federal grants include:

Even if you think you may not qualify for federal grants, it’s still worth filing the FAFSA. Schools and states use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for state grants, institutional aid, and many scholarships.

Scholarships are another major source of college funding that doesn’t need to be repaid. They are typically awarded based on factors such as academic achievement, demographic background, and financial need.

Start by researching scholarships for adult learners, which are designed for students returning to school later in life. And while there aren’t many scholarships specifically for parents, here are a couple we found:

Note that you may also qualify for additional scholarship based on other factors such as military status or identity. Check out our scholarship pages for women, Black students, active military and veterans, Hispanic and Latino/a students, historically Black college and university students, and students with disabilities.

Aside from searching on your own, you should reach out to your prospective school’s financial aid office to see if it offers scholarships or other financial aid opportunities for parents or adult learners.

Some colleges offer tuition-free programs that cover the full cost of tuition for students with financial need.

Over 200 colleges and universities offer tuition-free programs across the U.S. These programs are often available to students who qualify for the maximum Pell Grant or come from families making $200,000 or less.

Keep in mind that most tuition-free programs require students to live in-state and attend classes on campus, which might make balancing school with work and family responsibilities more complicated. However, some institutions do extend the benefit to online programs and part-time students. Some examples include:

If you’re interested in learning more, check out our complete list of schools offering free tuition.

Some employers offer tuition reimbursement programs to help cover the cost of continuing education. If you’re currently working, this might be one of the most practical ways to help offset the cost of going back to school.

Depending on the employer, its tuition reimbursement program may cover some or all of your tuition, especially if you’re pursuing a degree or training that’s relevant to your current role. To qualify, many employers require that you maintain a certain GPA and enroll in a program related to your job. You may also have to stay with the company for a set amount of time after receiving the reimbursement.

Several popular companies offer tuition assistance programs, including Apple, Best Buy, Disney, Geico, and Lowe’s.

Studying part-time can lower your upfront tuition costs since you’ll only be paying for a few classes at a time instead of a full semester’s worth of classes at once. This can also reduce the need for student loans, which means less interest to pay over time.

Additionally, since you’ll take only one or three classes at a time, it makes it easier to keep working and balance childcare costs.

It’s worth noting that, as a part-time student, you still qualify for federal student aid. Also, some colleges and organizations offer scholarships specifically for part-time students.

If your goal is to lower the total cost of earning a degree, starting at a community college can be a smart move.

Community colleges typically cost about $5,000 less per year compared to public four-year institutions, according to 2022-23 data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Just like at a four-year college, you can still qualify for federal financial aid when attending a community college, and there are currently 34 states offering free community college programs.

Besides the lower tuition, there’s another advantage: if you’re planning to attend an in-state university later on, there is a high likelihood that most — if not all — of your credits will transfer. Some states even have transfer agreements that guarantee admission into public universities after you complete and associate degree at a community college.

Bootcamps, certificate, and trade programs generally cost significantly less than a four-year degree and can help you enter the workforce faster. Many of these programs can be completed in a few weeks or months, making them a more flexible option if you’re balancing school with work or family responsibilities.

These programs are a great option for those who aren’t interested in pursuing a four-year degree but still want to gain in-demand skills and start earning sooner. Some of the highest-paying trades — such as HVAC technicians, electrical installers and repairers, and avionics technicians — earn a median salary of $59,810 to $81,390.

Childcare is one of the biggest financial barriers for parents returning to school.

The 2024 Cost of Care Report by Care.com found that parents can sometimes spend over $18,000 a year on childcare. Additionally, a EdTrust’s 2022 Education Trust report found that student-parents would need to work a minimum-wage job for 54 hours a week for more than 50 weeks to cover the cost of public college and a daycare.

Some colleges are working to ease that burden by offering dedicated support for student-parents. Currently, at least 13 schools nationwide are providing parents resources such as emergency grants, on-campus childcare, housing, and targeted financial aid options.

For example, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Child Care Education Center offers free childcare for student-parents, with priority given to single-parent who are Pell-eligible.

When researching schools, parents should ask whether institutions provide resources for student families.

Student loans can help cover tuition that isn’t fully paid for by financial aid, as well as other education-related expenses like housing, transportation, and food. However, they should be a last resort since they must be repaid with interest.

There are two main types of student loans: federal and private loans. Federal student loans are offered by the government, while private student loans come from banks, credit unions, and other private lenders.

If you need to borrow, it’s generally best to choose federal loans first. They typically offer lower interest rates, more flexible repayment options, and borrower protections that private loans often don’t provide.

If you need to take out a student loan, be mindful of how interest works and grows over time. Also, note that missing payments can lead to late fees and damaged credit score. If you fall behind on your payments for several months, you could face more serious consequences, such as wage garnishment (when money is automatically taken from your paycheck).