Single Mom Scholarships
Even with just a quick look at the news it’s easy to see that college classes are filling up with record numbers of students this fall, and single moms are among them. Both campus and online colleges from coast to coast are bursting with enrollment, despite an increased need for financial aid.
Fortunately, the large number of older, “non-traditional” college students is beginning to get more attention these days, and student aid providers are creating more financial aid opportunities tailored to students in special circumstances. Single mom scholarships fall into this category of financial aid.
Before applying for scholarships, however, be sure to thoroughly read our section on scholarships for moms scams. Unfortunately, the business of scholarships is peppered with a couple organizations who use deceit and false promises to take money from vulnerable or unsuspecting moms.
Single Mom Scholarships Start with Federal Education Grants
If you’re a single mom returning to school to pursue your first college degree or career certification, and you’re within a certain income range, you’ll almost certainly qualify for need-based federal education grants such as the Pell Grant. Grants, unlike student loans, do not need to be repaid, and they’re not age-restricted. The money you’ll qualify for will depend on what year you’re in in your program and how many dependents you’re supporting, along with meeting other basic eligibility requirements.
You can read more about the following federal education grants in the Grants section of this website. To apply for these grants, you must go to the federal Student Aid on the Web site and file a FAFSA:
- Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Academic Competitive Grant (ACG)
- National SMART Grant
- TEACH Grant
State Financial Aid Agencies Also Offer Single Mom Scholarships
Most, if not all, states also offer scholarships reserved for women and single parents. Different states have financial aid programs customized with their own eligibility requirements, grant amounts, and application procedures. Find your state higher education agency at this site and see what single mom scholarship programs they offer.
Keep in mind that single mom scholarships (and single dad scholarships) are going to be need-based. All scholarships of this type will ask for proof of financial need and may also ask for proof of your being the custodial parent. Many will require you to file a FAFSA (see above).
In many cases, state single mom scholarships will actually be offered through a college or university system in the state. In addition to contacting your state higher education agency, you should contact the financial aid office of the school you want to enroll in and ask if the school offers single mom scholarships or grants.
A few examples of state and school financial aid programs for single parents include:
- Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund
- Florida George Snow Scholarship Fund Scholarship for Single Parents
- Illinois College of DuPage Foundation Single Parent Scholarship
- Iowa Kirkwood Community College Scholarships for Single Parents
- Kansas Emporia State University Single Parents With Children Scholarship
- Minnesota State University Coplan Donohue Single Parent Scholarship
- Wisconsin – The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire Single Parent Scholarships
Single Mom Scholarships from Private Foundations & Organizations
A wide range of philanthropic and corporate foundations provide scholarships for single parents. Like the state and school scholarships above, these programs may be getting ready to open their new application season. Check their websites to see when their 2010-2011 scholarship applications will be available:
- Denny’s Single Parent Student Scholarship, Hispanic College Fund
- Jeannette Rankin Foundation Scholarships
- Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Program for Continuing Education
- Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards
- Association on American Indian Affairs Displaced Homemaker Scholarships
- Association of Nontraditional Students in Higher Education Scholarships
- Hispanic College Fund Scholarships
- The R.O.S.E. Fund Scholarship for Women Survivors of Abuse
- Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP) for Women Survivors of Abuse
Single Mom Scholarships are a Win-Win Investment
Officials from the federal level all the way down to your town council know that helping you get valuable higher education now is a way of “paying it forward”: If your college degree or career training helps you ensure financial stability and a better life for you and your family, everyone benefits – your community, our larger society, and you.
Still not sure how to get started with finding Financial Aid? Start here:
1) 4 Ideas for Single Moms Going Back to School offers a basic back-to-college plan.
2) How to Prepare for the FAFSA: 3 Pre-FAFSA Steps provides a basic introduction to the Federal Application for Pell Grants and other federal financial aid.
3) The EducationGrant Guide to Grants & Scholarships has tips and information on:
- Understanding the difference between grants and scholarships
- How to apply for Pell Grants and other federal financial aid
- Searching for state and private grants and scholarships appropriate for you
- Some characteristics of successful applications for state and private grants and scholarships
- Websites and addresses for more than 80 scholarships, so you can contact them
October 19 2009 at 8:49 am |
I would love to have more information. Thank you!
November 4 2009 at 12:20 pm |
I am a full time studet at Itt-tech in my first symester and am a single Mother of three children. Although I work two jobs I still need some assistance while attending school. I have recieved grants and applied for scholarships, but have had no luck with finding a program to grant a housing fund.
Please help!
November 5 2009 at 4:15 am |
[...] your college education. You may find the special sections dedicated to scholarships for women and scholarships for single mothers very informative. As you are probably aware, scholarships and grants, whether federally or [...]
November 6 2009 at 4:54 pm |
Hi Jessica,
My hat’s off to you, and to your determination to succeed. The role model you’re setting for your children in pursuing your education amidst all your other obligations is amazing. I hope your ITT-Tech program enables you to get into a career in which you’ll never need a grant again. In the meantime, since housing grants for college students are usually offered only by colleges with lots of on-campus housing to their own students, I would call your local town or city councilman’s office — if they can’t help you directly, they will certainly know the department in your local government that can. Another idea is the http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal website, which may have federal grants for housing. Wishing you the best for success with this and with your new education program! The EducationGrant Editor
November 14 2009 at 7:38 pm |
I am a single teen mother looking for finacial assistance, so that I may begin my journey to a better quality of life through education. I have two children, both under the age of four, and have recently turned nineteen. I was just wondering if there were any programs out there for me and if so, how do I apply?
November 16 2009 at 12:11 pm |
Hello
I currently enrolled for a LVN course at CNI College. I received a Pal grant but I’m still left with a big chunk of tuition left. Im not sure exactly how I’d be able to pay all that considerind Im a single mother of three. If you have any suggestion I’d greatly appreciate it.
Thank You
November 18 2009 at 12:06 pm |
Hello Angelica,
Congratulations on your successful first steps toward your new career! Most likely, if you qualified for a Pell Grant, you also qualify for low-cost federal student loans such as the Perkins loan or subsidized Stafford loan, and if you don’t qualify for either of those, you can still get an unsubsidized Stafford loan, which is not restricted to students with financial need. In all of those cases, your school’s financial aid office is your first source of help. It’s part of their job to explain and help you understand all your additional financial aid options. Your school could also be your best source of additional grants for single moms. When researching grants and scholarships, we found that many, many schools now have financial aid set aside specifically for single parents returning to school. Ask your financial aid office what school grants your school has that you may qualify for. (If not a grant for single moms, how about grants for nursing students?) Finally, take a look through EducationGrant’s blog and article pages for information on federal nursing scholarships and scholarships specifically for women. Best of luck in all your endeavors! The EducationGrant Editor
November 18 2009 at 12:18 pm |
Hi Olivia,
It’s terrific that you’re planning on going back to school! There’s a lot of research documenting how young children benefit from their parents’ higher education, in both cognitive skills and school readiness. You’ll also be an amazing role model, obviously! You didn’t mention what your education plans are, so you may want to start at the very beginning (ah-ha: “doh-rey-me”!) and read this post on education planning: How to Prepare for the FAFSA: 3 Pre-FAFSA Steps. Once you have an idea of what career you want, what kind of education program you need, and which college(s) provide a program that fits your life, then you’ll be ready to fill out a FAFSA to get federal financial aid. You may also want to take a look at the U.S. Education Department’s own “getting started” site, here. Best wishes for success in all your endeavors! The EducationGrant Editor
November 19 2009 at 11:46 am |
Hi!
I am also a single mother, hoping to get help in going back to school. I have my goals set at being an engineer with an AA in Business Adminstration. I am a certified Medical Assistant, but currently not working. I am volunteering at a Doctors office for my experience as a Medical Assistant, but I would love to start school in the spring. Please if any advice or information you may have I would appreciate it.
Thanks!
November 24 2009 at 4:40 am |
2010-2011 female undergraduate scholarships in for single mothers and young girls . alwaya update me. thank you
November 24 2009 at 11:02 am |
I am a single-mother, who after 11 years with the same company (working as a designer for a real-estate developer / builder) was laid-off due to the slump of the housing market. I have decided to go back to school to get my teacher certification in elementary education. Everyone, including colleges / universities, tells me to do my FAFSA before anything else. The application seems to be based on my income from last year’s tax return. I was laid off November 2008, so last year’s return didn’t justify me needing 100% financial aid. But, I still haven’t found unemployment here at the end of 2009, and am in desperate need of financial aid at this point to be able go back to school. PLEASE HELP! How can I apply as an unemployed single-mother – the FAFSA application does not really cover this…
November 25 2009 at 4:14 pm |
Hi Kristi,
You’re right: the FAFSA seems backwards in the way it bases your ability to pay for college on a prior tax return rather than on your current or future financial circumstances. Apparently, studies of the financial aid system have shown that the most recent income tax return is usually a pretty good indicator of future ability to pay. Of course, that’s in a stable, growing economy. The worst economic downturn in 80 years and 10% unemployment is a whole different ball game. Even still, you should apply to the school(s) you’re considering and fill out a FAFSA anyway. You’re going to need to submit one to be eligible for a Pell grant and state and school grants for single mothers. You should also look into the idea of a federal TEACH grant (also via the FAFSA). You’ll have to commit to teaching in a high-need area for a while after you graduate, but maybe the Student Aid customer service center would be able to tell you if there are qualifying high-need areas near your current location.
How will you get any of these grants if you have to put your former income on the FAFSA? Your question was such a good one, I wrote a whole blog post on it today. I hope it’s helpful. Best wishes for success in all your education efforts! The EducationGrant Editor
December 1 2009 at 9:52 am |
Hi,
I am a single mom with two children. I love them both and want them take advantage of great opportunities through education, mentoring programs and volunteer work. My dilemma is that I am currently in an on-line program and do not have the best financial aid and academic counsellors. I have two classes left to finish my degree and I just find out that I am financially disqualified due to not meeting some type of criteria required for the Federal student aid. I was really saddened by this as I have struggled to juggle family responsibilities, a full time job and children all at one time. My last two classes are electives and I have finished my core classes. What can I do? Can I still get the Pell grant? Is there funds out there for people like me who are financially disqualified ? I am told I have to wait a year before I can ever get financial federal aid. Again this is disheartening because this degree meant the world to me and I was almost there…time is of the essence as well. I can’t keep postponing this, as I have taken off several times in the past just to make ends meet. Can somebody tell me what to do and if there are grants /loans out there- which ones? I have already filled out the FAFSA since June but did not know my status till yesterday. Please help, I don’t want to give up!! Thanks a million!
December 9 2009 at 1:34 pm |
I am a single, 19 year old mother of one attempting to earn a Secondary Education degree in English, currently attending my second year at a community college because it is all I can afford. After submitting the FAFSA I recieved just enough to cover tuition and books at the local community college. If I ever hope to earn my degree I will have to transfer to a four-year institution, and there is no way a mere five thousand is going to cover any of the universities in my area. Last year the FAFSA only granted me a few hundred dollars, and I had to work overtime while attending school to be able to pay back my tuition after my earned credits were put on hold. Currently I am 100% financially dependant on the government because my place of employment forced me to chose between my daughter and my paycheck. I’ve gone to FastWeb, SchoolSoup, FindTuition, and Scholarships.com, among other sites and have applied for multiple scholarships but have had no luck recieving any assistance. It may be politcally incorrect, but I feel that because I am a healthy, young, white female who is not homeless, from another country or having the unfortunate luck of having a horrific disease, I cannot get any help. What can I do to get a little assistance paying for my education to better the future for myself and my newborn daughter?
December 29 2009 at 3:13 pm |
Hi Kristen,
I’m afraid EducationGrant can’t offer any more recommendations or financial aid resources than the websites you mentioned, but I hope you’ve talked to your school’s financial aid office as much as possible. From everything we’ve read, your school’s financial aid office is your first and most important source of help. It’s part of their job to explain and help you understand all your additional financial aid options. Tell them how much and what kind of financial aid you’ve already received, where you’ve looked for more, and which state and private scholarships you’ve applied for.
Your school could also be your best source of grants and scholarships for single moms— hundreds of schools these days have financial aid reserved specifically for single parents returning to school. Ask your financial aid office if your school has institutional grants and scholarships you may qualify for. If not a grant for single moms, how about grants for students enrolled in your program? If they don’t have any grant aid for you, consider switching to a school that does. Best wishes, the EducationGrant Editor
December 29 2009 at 5:09 pm |
I am a 33 y/o single mother of 3 children in Texas. I have always wanted to get a cosmetology license but have sacrificed that dream to provide for my children in my current job position (mortgage co. in the bankruptcy dept).
I am getting to the point to where my creativity HAS to come out – I can’t put it off anymore. My dilema is and always has been: How do I go to school full time and pay the bills? I make more than $40k/yr and not sure if I qualify for a Pell grant. Are there any cost of living grants, lol? I would be willing to do the work/study program but not sure if that would pay my bills. I can’t work multiple jobs, raise my kids and go to school. Am I being too idealistic?
Thanks,
L
December 30 2009 at 5:07 pm |
Hi Laura,
Only you can answer this question, and only by filing a FAFSA can you find out if you qualify for a Pell Grant. You may want to read 4 Ideas for Single Moms Going Back to School, and then talk to a financial aid officer at a school you’re considering. It is the financial aid office’s job and responsibility to explain and help you understand all your college costs and financial aid options.
Another possible source of advice is CollegeConfidential.com, which has many different forums where students share stories and advise each other.
Lastly, feel free to download a copy of the EducationGrant.com Guide to Grants & Scholarships.
Best wishes for your college success,
the EducationGrant
January 17 2010 at 10:46 pm |
I am a single mom of 3 kids who works two jobs, one in Telecommunications and the second is a retail job. In 2006, I was diagnosed with a very rare cancer and have been in treatment for 3 out of the last 4 years. Though my health is stable at this time, there is no definitive end to this round of treatments. I work the second job to pay the increased costs due to treatment. These costs average about 500-600 additional a month. On paper, it looks like I’m doing well. In reality, I’m struggling to keep my head above water. Because of my cancer experience and the lack of security in the Telecommunications industry, I am trying to switch my career to Nursing and am currently enrolled in a 2 year community college fulfilling my pre-requisites. Thus far, I have paid over $2500 and as i’m short cash, I paid via credit card. The debt is mounting. FAFSA indicates I’m eligible for nothing which hardly reflects the real picture and the depth of the financial issues I”m having. Is there any assistance available for someone in this situation?
January 18 2010 at 9:32 am |
Kathy–
Have you documented your treatment costs in an appeal to your community college? If your FAFSA takes into consideration all of your income, you should write a letter to the college asking for a professional judgment review or financial aid appeal, as some call it. In the letter, outline with hard numbers the changes in your finances due to your illness. At the very least, visit your financial aid office; they will be able to give you personalized advice.
Best of luck,
Sandra
Community Manager