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.
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!