“Yes, You Can Do It”: A Single Mom’s Guide to Thriving at BTI

If you’re juggling kids and work, the idea of going back to school may seem like too much. This guide is for you. Below you’ll find practical, Pennsylvania‑specific resources, an example weekly schedule, information about funding options, and BTI support you can tap into from Day 1.

Key Takeaways for Busy Moms

• Plenty of single moms finish school. The key is a written weekly plan, reliable child care coverage, and early financial‑aid filing (FAFSA + grants).

• In PA, look at Child Care Works (CCW) subsidies via your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC), plus Head Start/Early Head Start for preschoolers.

• Complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for Pell Grants (up to $7,395 for 2025–26 award year, and the amount depends on your situation).

• Ask PA CareerLink® about WIOA training funds; many BTI programs appear on the state Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL).

• BTI campuses in Wyomissing, Allentown, and Lewisburg offer career‑focused training with on‑campus career services and help navigating scholarships and grants.

First, Give Yourself Permission to Start

Feeling overwhelmed is normal. You’re taking care of a family and planning for the future you want. We see a real mind-shift in successful BTI students: For 9–18 months (program‑dependent), you’ll buckle down, build new habits, then graduate into a more stable schedule.

Quick win: Write one sentence you’ll come back to on hard days. For example:
“I’m doing this so my family has more choices.”

Map Your Week with Real‑Life Time Blocks

Start with non-negotiables: Work shifts, school pickups, bedtime, meals.
Then add: Class/commute/study blocks, childcare coverage, self‑care.

Example weekly template:

• Mon–Thu
  • 6:30–8:00 a.m. Morning routine + kids to school/child care
    8:00–4:00 Work shift
    4:30–7:30 Family time, dinner, bedtime
    7:45–9:45 Class or study block

• Fri
  • 8:00–3:00 Class/Lab (or compressed shift)
    3:30–5:00 Career Services workshop or tutoring (virtual when possible) Berks Technical Institute

• Sat
  • 9:00–11:00 Study pod at library/campus; kids with a trusted sitter
  • 11:30–2:00 Errands + meal prep for the week

• Sun
  • 30‑minute family planning meeting (rides, snacks, outfits, lunches)
  • 90‑minute batch‑cooking + print your weekly plan

Tip: Put your study blocks on the calendar just like doctor’s appointments. If something bumps a block, reschedule it the same day.

3) Secure Childcare: Pennsylvania‑Specific Options

You do not have to figure this out alone.

• Child Care Works (CCW) Subsidy – Helps eligible families pay for care; administered by your county’s ELRC. Call 1‑877‑4‑PA‑KIDS to get started.

• Head Start & Early Head Start – No‑cost early learning + wraparound supports for infants through preschoolers; programs exist in every PA county.

• Back‑up care plan – List two sitters/relatives + a nearby drop‑in center; prep a “ready bag” with snacks, a change of clothes, homework, and health info.

4) Pay for School Without Guesswork

Start with the FAFSA®– It’s the key to federal, state, grant, scholarship and loan programs. Submit early each year.

Grants you don’t repay include:

• Federal Pell Grant – Need‑based; maximum for 2025–26 is $7,395 (actual award depends on your Student Aid Index, family size, enrollment, etc.).

• State/Local & Scholarship Search – BTI’s financial aid team helps you explore private scholarships, military/veteran benefits, and employer tuition assistance.

• WIOA Training Funds via PA CareerLink® – If you qualify, workforce funds may help cover approved training on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL). Ask your local office about eligibility.

Important: Financial aid is available to those who qualify, though awards vary. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines with Federal Student Aid and BTI’s financial services team.

5) Use BTI Support. It’s Included with Tuition.

• Career Services (from day one): resume help, interview practice, job‑search strategy, and employer connections in Berks County and beyond.

• Program & Campus Choices: BTI offers career‑focused programs at Wyomissing, Allentown, and Lewisburg—pick the location and schedule that fits your life.

• Hands‑on, career‑ready training: Labs and industry‑experienced instructors help you build skills you can use immediately.

6) Follow A Simple System to Stay on Track

These popular methods help single moms focus on achieving goals while leaving time and energy for family and yourself. 

The Weekly 3‑2‑1 Method

Set aside 15 minutes on Sunday nights to do the following: 

1. Set three priorities for the school week
   1. Nail these down on Sunday night. For example, “Finish financial‑aid docs,” “Attend lab,” “Ask about exam topics”).

2. Plan coverage for two logistics
   1. Rides/child care swaps, meal plan

1. Schedule one self‑care action 
   1. Walk, journaling, coffee with a friend

The Daily 1‑1‑5 Rule:

• 1 outreach (classmate, instructor, Career Services)
• 1 small win (submit form, read 3 pages)
• 5 minutes to reset (breathe, drink water, stretch)

7) Real Talk: Planning for the Hard Days

No matter how carefully we plan, disruptions happen. These habits give you a lifeline when they do.

• Transportation: Post backup bus routes; keep an emergency gas envelope.

• Technology: Save assignments to cloud + USB; ask BTI about lab access if home internet is down.

• Sick‑day playbook: Alert your instructor early; move a study block to early morning or lunch; lean on your backup child‑care plan.

• Money squeeze: Check in with BTI’s financial aid team; search new local scholarships; ask employers about tuition assistance.

8) Sample Conversation Scripts 

For moms starting school, it’s like introducing a new chapter to the people you know. Just starting the conversation helps them understand why it matters. 

With your kids:
“Mom has school on Tuesdays and Thursdays after bedtime. It’s going to be different for a while, but when I’m done, I hope to have even more time to spend with you. 

With your boss:
“I’m in a BTI program that meets Tues/Thu evenings. Could we adjust my shift those days? I can take early Friday shifts to balance coverage.”

With a trusted neighbor:
“I’m in evening classes two nights a week for the next 8 months. How would you feel if the kids played with yours from 6–9 p.m.? I can bring dinner so you don’t have to cook. 

9) Your next three steps (today)

1. Contact BTI Admissions and ask for a class‑time grid for your program + campus.

2. Complete the FAFSA® form

3. Call your ELRC about Child Care Works and ask what documents to bring.

You’re not doing this alone. BTI is here to help you build a plan that works for your family.

Helpful BTI links

• Programs overview: Career training options at BTI.

• Support services: Career help, externships, and more.

• Campus pages: Wyomissing • Allentown • Lewisburg.

Disclosure: Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Program length, schedules, and availability vary by campus and term. Always verify current eligibility and award amounts with Federal Student Aid and the BTI financial aid team. 

Questions People Also Ask About Going to Trade School As A Single Mom

1) Can single moms go to trade school?
Yes. Many trade schools, including Berks Technical Institute (BTI), offer flexible schedules, financial aid for those who qualify, and career services support that make it possible for single moms to train for new careers while raising a family.

2) How can single moms pay for school in Pennsylvania?
Single moms in PA can combine federal Pell Grants, state aid, and scholarships with programs like Child Care Works (CCW) and WIOA training funds. BTI’s financial services team helps students complete the FAFSA and find additional funding sources.

3) Does BTI offer help with child care?
While BTI doesn’t directly provide child care, its staff can connect students with local resources such as Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC), Head Start, and Child Care Works (CCW) to make classes more manageable.

4) How can I balance school, work, and kids?
Create a weekly schedule that locks in class time, work shifts, and family activities. Successful BTI students often use backup child care, meal prepping, and support from friends or relatives to stay on track.

5) What programs can single moms study at BTI?
BTI offers hands-on career training programs in fields like healthcare, and skilled trades with campuses in Wyomissing, Allentown, and Lewisburg. Program lengths vary, and many are designed for quick entry into the workforce.

6) How much time do classes take each week?
It varies by program and term. Admissions can outline class + lab hours and options at Wyomissing, Allentown, or Lewisburg so you can plan child care. 

7) Can BTI help me find a job while I’m in school?
Yes, Career Services supports resume prep, interviewing, and local employer connections throughout your program and after graduation. While BTI cannot guarantee employment or salary, this support is available to every student and graduate.

8) Can I get help with completing the  FAFSA and scholarship forms?
Yes— the BTI financial aid team can guide you through the FAFSA and scholarship search. You’ll still submit your own applications, but you won’t be guessing.