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.
This scholarship is designated for a woman who is the primary source of support for her family and is enrolling as an incoming freshman to earn a Bachelors degree in Accounting. Up to $16,000 over four years is awarded and will be renewed annually upon completion of satisfactory course work as evidenced by a 3.0 GPA.
Maeband, a company providing comfort and style to pregnant women through ingenious design, is pleased to announce the launch of the Maeband scholarship contest. Maeband, a local Utah company, produces a clever, comfy waistline extension band that allows moms to sidestep traditional maternity pants in favor of their own regular clothes — saving money in the process. Maeband makes it possible for women to keep doing things just as they have always done.
Maeband is committed to helping mom students with their educational pursuits, and is anxious to help them accomplish their goals. Maeband is proud to offer a $500 scholarship prize to studying moms.
The Arizona Business and Professional Women’s Foundation supports women through scholarships, research, and education. Women 21 years or older returning to school at a community college to acquire better job opportunities or advance their current careers. All recipients are required to attend one Arizona BPW Foundation event per year.
This scholarship will be awarded to a student who is a single parent with dependent children. Preference given to students pursuing a program of study in Business related field. Students selected by Career Links scholarship committee. Click here to learn more and apply today!
Since their founding in 2006 ANSWER has funded 136 college scholarships to 81 local moms in Charlotte, NC. ANSWER Scholarship provides scholarships to mothers of school-age children in the Charlotte area. Scholarship award amounts vary each year and are at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.
The Amber Grant honors the memory of a young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at the age of 19 – unable to fulfill her entrepreneurial dreams. In 2020, the Amber Grant has been doubled to $4,000. Earn any Amber Grant through November 2020, and you’ll be eligible for an additional $25,000 grant at the end of this year.
The Moss Adams Foundation Scholarship is an annual award of $1,000. It is for women who wish to earn Bachelors degrees in Accounting. Itis available to minority women, or women returning to school as current or re-entry juniors or seniors, or women pursuing their 5th year requirement through either general studies or within a graduate program.
EFWA awards scholarships to women who are pursuing Accounting degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. This annual scholarship awarded in the amount of $1,000 for the purpose of earning a degree in Accounting. Preferred applicants are women returning to college from the work force or after raising children.
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.
