Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and apply for a federal Pell grant. They will use your last years income – work, child support, alimony etc.

Go to the local Department of Human Services office and apply for TANF benefits, food stamps, medical benefits for your kids, assistance with the Salvation Army or like agency to register your kids for Christmas gifts and a Thanksgiving care package. If you need it, apply for housing assistance as well.

Sign your kids up for free lunch at school.

Check with your school and find out (talk to no less than a dozen people) if they have special programs – free tuition or other support services – for nontraditional, low income, single parents or for those who receive federal/state assistance.

Talk at great length with someone in your schools financial aid office. Scholarships, loans and grants are the key words here, but they won’t come find you. You have to find them.

Good Luck