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5 Ways Parents of Transgender Teens Can Help Their Children

By U.S. News & World Report

There is no question that simply being a teen presents a challenge for both teens and parents. Imagine the difficulties associated with being a teen and transgender. And further, imagine feeling that one’s birth sex and gender identity are inconsistent.

The shame, bullying and confusion transgender teens experience can take a toll on their mental health. It’s no wonder that transgender teens face a host of emotional difficulties, including an increased risk of suicide, according to research.

I have spoken with the parents of transgender teens who desperately want to help their children. These parents are aware of the emotional strife that their kids are experiencing. I have also been blessed to meet loving and accepting parents of transgender teens, and learned from them. In an effort to help, here are a few suggestions for other parents of transgender teens who may be struggling and in need of support.

[See: How to Find the Best Mental Health Professional for You.]

Always express support for your children. More than anything else in this world, your kids need to know that you love them irrespective of their gender identity. Your support may mean the difference between life and death. It’s well known that social and emotional support are among the best protectors against depression. You must be your child’s advocate even if the circumstances are difficult for you. If that is the case, please seek support for yourself. Parents can only give support if they too are feeling strong and supported.

Keep in mind that teens are more than their gender identity. Let your children know that they are not simply defined by their gender identity.

Do a lot of listening. We all need to be listened to and understood, but the confused and likely ostracized teen will be especially grateful to have a place to speak and vent without being judged. Do your best to understand that your child is struggling and that it’s extremely unlikely your child made a casual decision about gender identity.

[See: How to Be a Good Listener.]

Help your teen find support groups with other transgender teens. You will accomplish two things by doing this: First, your child will feel your concern; and, second, you will help your child escape the dreadful vortex of feeling isolated. Isolation feeds depression and support groups have the remarkable potential to give one a sense of belonging. That’s something everyone wants, especially teens.

Show respect for your child’s choices. Educate yourself about the correct use of pronouns in the transgender community. Talk to your child about how much information they want to share about themselves, with whom and when. Remember that this is your child’s story to tell and you must pay attention to your child’s readiness to disclose it.

[See: 10 Concerns Parents Have About Their Kids’ Health.]

Certainly, this is complicated, and the circumstances differ for every child and family. So if necessary, seek out a family therapist who has expertise in the area of transgender issues to help guide you.

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5 Ways Parents of Transgender Teens Can Help Their Children originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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