Look into Andrews School. Yes, their minimum down is $1000, but the monthly payments are only around $120 a month, and they do not charge interest.

If you were ever going to borrow money for a down payment on anything, this would be a very wise investment. If you get done in a year, you will be working and be able to pay the last year of payments with your MT checks. You can check into signature loans from a bank, or you can check with family members. I know, if it were an option for me, my mother or grandmother would have loaned me the $1000 and deferred repayment for a year until I was done with schooling.

I was a single mother too, so I know how much $120 a month is in your situation. Even doing some babysitting on the side would help make up that money. Time to get creative!