I am a 32 year-old single mother totally responsible for a six-year-old.  I currently have a college degree but have not been able to find work in my field.  I currently am employed but my income is insufficient to live independently.  Thus, my son and I live with my parents in a rural setting.  This setting necessitates long commuting distances to work (approximately 100 miles per day) and for educational endeavors.  My son and I depend on my parents and their limited means to survive financially.  There is no money available for me to enter and complete the 18 - 24 month nursing program I wish to enroll or to relocate to attend it.  I have been told the nursing curriculum is very intensive and I have been advised that with the clinical practice that is necessary, it is ill-advised to try to remain employed, especially with the full responsibility for my young son, a first-grader.

I have managed, one course at a time, to take all but one foundational course necessary to apply for and gain admission into the nursing program.  I am planning to take the last foundational course the Spring Session, 2006.   The nursing program  is much more expensive and beyond my means to pay for this program.  In addition to tuition and other educational expenses, I need funds to pay my bills and for living expenses for my son and me while I am in the nursing program..  My mother is disabled, has a lot of medical expenses, and will not be able to assist me by assuming full-time care of my child while I am in school.  Also, my parents are not financially able to assist me in this educational endeavor or to assist me once I relocate.    I will be applying for some highly competitive funds to cover my educational expenses; however, if  I am able to obtain these funds, I will still need enough funds to pay my bills and to pay for my living expenses for my son and myseld.  My request is for funds for living expenses for my son and me for the period I am engaged in full-time study in the nursing program.  I will be very happy to supply any additional information needed.