Single mothers who want to go to college often need a way to cut college costs. Yes, there are scholarships for single moms to help those returning back to school or attending college for the first time. Many scholarships go to single mothers who have unmet financial need or based on academic merit.
Unlike a loan, you do not need to pay back scholarship money. Though you may need to abide by the terms – like completing your program through to the end.
Here are scholarships for single mothers at different stages of life and education. Whether you plan to attend community college, seek a bachelor’s or graduate degree, there are many options.
Can a single mother go to college for free?
Grants and scholarships may help a single mother go to college for free. You might find single mom scholarships at:
Colleges and universities
State governments
Federal government
Private or nonprofit organizations
Women’s advocacy groups
What types of grants are available for single moms?
The federal Pell Grant is the primary source of grant funding. It may give single moms (and others) free tuition help. You might then attend any college in the U.S. As long as you meet certain criteria.
As a single mother, federal grants may be a very useful resource for you. While amounts vary each year, the most a Pell Grant pays in the current period is $6,195. It is available to undergraduate students. Ones who have not yet earned a bachelor’s, graduate or professional degree.
Your eligibility also depends on a few other things. Enrollment status, Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and cost of attending the school you select.
Do single mothers get more financial aid? Many single moms have a very low EFC which may mean more financial help.
Applying is also straightforward. The first step to do is complete a standard form called a FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid asks some questions. These determine your financial situation. Then uses a formula to award the grant money based on eligibility.
Another need-based grant option is the FSEOG program. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is for low-income undergraduate students. It helps finance the costs of postsecondary education. There are about 3,800 colleges that take part in this program. You’ll need to file your FAFSA for this one too.
What’s Unique About Scholarships for Single Moms?
The number of single mothers is growing. But their income levels are not. Young mothers living on their own with no support often face the highest poverty rates.
The average age of single mothers is between 29 and 44. Of this group, never-married mothers are younger. Widows are usually older. But shared issues revolve around expenses. Things like child care, housing and health care.
Job training and education are one way that single mothers of all ages may improve their status. As a type of financial aid, scholarships may help single moms afford an education. This in turn may help with upward mobility.
Some scholarships are for freshman and may suit new moms and the younger ages on this scale. While others are for mothers who are returning to school after taking a break.
There are many scholarships reserved for women that single moms may apply to. You may want to start by defining your goals and the type of degree you want to pursue.
Do you want to go to community college? Technical school?
Is there a training program (E.g. nursing) that you are interested in?
Are you hoping to pursue a bachelor’s degree?
Have you been out of school and want to return to pursue a grad degree?
Answers to these questions can direct your search for scholarships.
Scholarships for Minority Single Moms
For instance, you may be a woman that also identifies as a minority group. There are scholarships for minorities that you might apply to also. One example is the Soroptimist International of the Americas. This organization helps empower women and girls. They invest over $2 million in education grants to women each year.
Scholarships for Victims of Abuse
Are you a single mom who is also a victim of abuse? You may look for a scholarship that supports female survivors. An example is the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program. You need to be working with an agency who will sponsor and mentor you as well as administer the funds.
This funding is available for women attending accredited programs in the U.S. These include training programs. Things such as hairdressing, medical billing and others from technical schools. Also, educational programs such as nursing, teaching, physical therapist and social work.
State Scholarships for Single Parents
You’ll also want to check with your own state. For example, the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is for single moms who are pursuing studies to improve their income potential.
School Specific Scholarships
Many colleges and universities offer scholarships. Together with a Pell Grant, this may be enough to pay for school. You can look at local schools as well as online colleges.
Examples of Scholarships for Single Moms
Here are a few other examples of scholarships set aside for women. As a single mom, they might be worth applying to.
The Deana Kendrick Foundation (TDKF) offers scholarships to women over thirty. Recipients are women who are returning to college, are currently in college seeking a degree, or are starting college after a lengthy break from school. This scholarship may be ideal for community colleges but may be used at a four-year university.
Custody X Change is a software for creating and managing custody. The Custody X Change Giving Fund awards three scholarships to single parents each year. The scholarship is open to single parent students around the world. If you’re outside the US, you should have the equivalent of 3.0 GPA or higher on your university’s grading scale.
This scholarship is open to single mothers who reside in Maricopa County/the Phoenix-Metro Valley or the Tucson Metropolitan area (Arizona). Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher if residing in Maricopa County, or 2.5 or higher if residing in Tucson. Click to learn more and apply today!
The Shawn Carter Foundation (SCF) was founded on the belief that any motivated individual in need should have the opportunity to further his or her education. This scholarship is for U.S. students who are 25 years old or younger. Students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Financial need is considered.
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students. The applicant must demonstrate financial need and be a single parent with primary custody of one or more children under the age of 12. The scholarship was established to honor Bernice Murray’s unselfish contributions to improving the lives of Vermonters.
The attorneys at Capital Family Law Group know all too well that everyday parents make selfless sacrifices for their kids, whether it’s sacrificing their time, their money, or something else to make sure their children are well taken care of.
One way some parents help their kids is by providing financial support for their children to seek a higher education. We know how hard and stressful this can be, so we decided to offer a scholarship to help relieve some of the financial burdens on students and their parents. The 2023 Selfless Parent Scholarship will award a $1,000 scholarship to a student who best shares how their parent has made sacrifices for them throughout their life, and how these sacrifices have benefited the student.
The best submissions will discuss examples of how the applicant’s parent(s) have made sacrifices to help the applicant succeed in life. Examples can include, but are not limited to, driving the applicant to after-school activities, buying a present for the student that helped him/her discover their passion, or sending the student to a new school to enhance their learning.
At CustomersFirst Academy, we understand the financial challenges many mothers face when pursuing their education. To support hardworking moms, we’re delighted to announce our annual CustomersFirst Academy For Moms Scholarship.
This scholarship offers a cash award of $1000. This money can be used to offset tuition costs, purchase books, cover transportation expenses, or secure reliable childcare. Our goal is to help you focus more on your education and less on how to pay your bills.
Emma Johnson is a mom blogger. As of March 26, every week, Emma will away $500 cash to one single mom, no strings attached. The 2020 Kickass Single Mom Stimulus Grant has one goal: Give a hand to single moms struggling with money, health, stress, child care, illness and loneliness. Learn more and apply today!
