Top Scholarships and Grants for Single Mothers

For students who are single mothers trying to juggle the pressures of attending college and providing for their children, scholarships and grants for single mothers can be a huge help. Paying the cost of tuition can be a major hindrance to furthering your education.

Whether you are a single mom who never had a chance to attend college or you wish to go back after staying home with your children for a number of years, there are many grants and scholarships for single moms available to help you with reducing the financial burden of taking college classes!

Instead of taking out additional debt through student or private loans, single mothers can apply for a number of different scholarships and grant awards offered through federal, state, non-profit, and campus-based programs. In the sections below, we will go over a few of the scholarships and grants for single moms looking for alternative ways to finance their education.

Top Scholarships for Single Mothers

Over the years, there have been numerous foundations that have started with the purpose of helping women reach their educational and career dreams by creating single mother scholarships.

Many of the nation’s top universities are also recognizing the financial needs of single parents, and several schools provide unique scholarship opportunities for single moms that plan on enrolling at their institution. We have highlighted the top scholarships for adult students, some for single mothers, who want to have an opportunity to earn their college degree:

ANSWER Scholarship

Value: Varies
Deadline: March 1st

The ANSWER scholarship helps send moms to college. The organization believes that when you educate moms, you educate children. You must be a nontraditional student 25 years of age or older, a primary caregiver to at least one school-age child. You must also be willing to participate in the Mentors For Mom Program.

You also are required to be enrolled or accepted as a full-time, degree-seeking student at an accredited institution in the counties and towns the scholarship organization serves. What’s great about this single mom scholarships is that over 60% of those interviewed are awarded d a scholarship.

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund

Value: $250-500
Deadline: March 15th

To apply for this scholarship you must reside in the state of Arkansas or in Bowie County, TX. You also must be a US Citizen and have a high school. Since this scholarship is for single parents, you must also meet the single parent requirements of being single or separated with your divorce being final by the time of the award.

To be eligible, you must be the custodial parent of at least one child, and you’re the only adult in the home with the children, unless you are living with your parents, relatives, or a roommate that is not your partner.

Beatrice F. Kroesche Memorial Scholarship

Value: $1,000 to $2,000
Deadline: February 1st

Beatrice F. Kroesche Memorial Scholarship is specifically for single parents who attend the College of Education or the Department of English at the University of Utah.

To be eligible you must be in good standing, carry a minimum of 12 hours of study, and have at least a 3.0 GPA. Incoming freshmen can also be awarded this scholarship as long as they have been accepted in the appropriate department and their high school academics meet the required GPA minimum.

BYU Marriott Single Parent Scholarship

Value: Varies
Deadline: February 1st

BYU Marriott offers several scholarships sponsored by the Spouse Association of the National Advisory Council. These scholarships are offered to help single-parent graduate BYU Marriott students.

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a single parent with custody of your child or children. You must be admitted to one of the graduate programs at BYU Marriott and you must be in and stay in good academic standing.

Capture the Dream – The Single Parent Scholarship

Value: $1,000
Deadline: June 30th

The Single Parent Scholarship’s goal is to help students attend college by helping with the cost of tuition. This scholarship is open to low-income, single parents who reside in the Bay Area and who are planning to attend an accredited, non-profit 2 or 4-year college.

Recipients are chosen based on a variety of factors including financial need, leadership qualities and history, community service experience, professional recommendations, and overall academic performance.

College of DuPage Foundation Single Parent Scholarship

Value: $1,000
Deadline: March 31st

The College of DuPage Foundation Single Parent Scholarship is intended to help and support single parents attending the College of DuPage. It is aimed at single parents who are in need of financial help.

To be eligible, you must be a single parent with at least one dependent child, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, and have filed a FAFSA for the academic year.

Elevate-A-Life Scholarship

Value: $20,000
Deadline: March 31st

Elevate-a-Life scholarship offers $20,000 per year for single parents to pay for tuition and childcare expenses. The scholarship spans 4 years or whenever you earn your degree. You must start at a community college and then transfer to a 4-year school.

The scholarship also includes a paid internship at Melita. This internship offers a part-time, flexible schedule to work around your school schedule. To be eligible, you must be a single parent with at least one child under the age of 14. You must show financial need and be considered low-income and your college major must be in the area related to human resources.

Emporia State University Single Parent with Children Scholarship

Value: $2,500
Deadline: March 20th

The Single Parents with Children Scholarship is available to single, divorced or widowed Emporia State University students who are raising children while going to school.

To be eligible, you must be a single parent with primary, sole, or joint custody of your children. You must also maintain a GPA of 2.75 and demonstrate financial need on your FASFA application.

LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship

Value: Award covers the cost of tuition
Deadline: August 10th

The LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship is set up to help a student who is a single parent and interested in pursuing a career in banking, business, or finance.

To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a business administration or banking major. You have to be a single parent and have a GPA of 2.35 or higher. recipients are selected based on financial need, overall academic achievement, and character.

Mary Jane Young Scholarship for Re-Entry Women

Value: $500 to $3,000
Deadline: May 25th

This scholarship is available to those who are looking to re-start their college education. It is open to re-entry transfer student parents. To be eligible, you must show academic promise and perseverance. you must be currently enrolled or accepted to St. Catherine University College for Women.

You have to be at least 23 years of age and a single mom or a married mom who delayed her education to raise her children. Applicants cannot have a previous degree and must have at least 30 semester credits.

Park Foundation Scholarship

Value: $2,000
Deadline: March 25th

The Park Foundation Scholarship is open to all single parents. To be eligible, you must be a single female, head-of-household student with dependents.

You must also have a GPA of at least 3.0. You have to be a custodial parent and must demonstrate financial need. The foundation awards one single mom and one single dad.

P.E.O. Scholar Awards (PSA)

Value: Up to $20,000
Deadline: June 1st

PEO Scholar Awards are given to outstanding women who meet specific criteria. You must be a citizen of the United States or Canada. You must also be pursuing your doctorate at an accredited school.

To be eligible, you should be fully enrolled in your program. While this scholarship is open to all women, single mothers are encouraged to apply as well.

Scholarships 4 Moms

Value: $10,000
Deadline: October 15th

Scholarships4Moms was made by mothers for mothers. The organization believes that education is vital to find jobs that provide security for your family.

To be eligible, must be a US citizen and 18 years of age or older. You must be currently enrolled in a US college, or will be enrolled within the next 3 months. You must be a mother or an expecting mother. must be a mother or an expectant mother. The scholarship is awarded five times throughout the year.

Soroptimist Live your Dream Award

Value: Up to $16,000
Deadline: November 15th

The Live Your Dream Awards offers up to $16,000 to help with the costs of tuition, books, transportation, and reliable childcare. This allows mothers to worry less about costs and focus on their education.

To be eligible, you must provide primary financial support for yourself and your dependents. Show a financial need and be enrolled in a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program. You must also reside in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories.

Women’s Independence Scholarship Program

Value: $500-$2,000
Deadline: January 1st

Women’s Independence Scholarship Program believes in its mission to stop the cycle of partner abuse by giving women the opportunity to further their education and achieve financial independence.

To be eligible, you must be a female survivor of intimate partner abuse. You must be separated from your abuse for a minimum of one year. Applicants must have reached out to agencies that provide services to abuse survivors for a minimum of 6 consecutive months. You should also demonstrate financial need and have a clear plan of action on your quest to enter a new career.

When researching the various scholarship options shown above, it is important to read the fine print associated with the eligibility requirements. While some awards are limited to those within a certain geographic region or school, others may be specifically geared towards certain career paths, such as teaching, healthcare, or STEM fields.

Top Grants for Single Mothers

While scholarships are helpful when trying to pay for your tuition or other college expenses, sometimes as a single mom, you need help in other areas, too.

We’ve compiled the top single mother grant options that can help single moms with housing, childcare, food, and other basic necessities. Like a scholarship, grants do not have to be repaid, and many can be applied for through the FASFA process.

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

Value: Varies
Deadline: n/a

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal grant program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It was established to help low-income families pay for Internet services and various devices.

You may be eligible to receive a discount on your monthly Internet service and a one-time discount for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. You may also be eligible for a low-cost service plan that is fully covered through the grant program.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Value: $100 – 4,000
Deadline: June 30th

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.

To be eligible for this grant, you must first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Your college’s financial aid department will then award FSEOGs to students who have the most financial need.

Head Start Grant

Value: Varies
Deadline: n/a

Head Start grants are federal programs that are designed to help children from birth to the age of 5 get ready for school. To be eligible for Head Start services, your family must be at or below the poverty level.

Head Start provides various services including free medical and dental care and child education. These savings can help a single mom out tremendously as she continues her own educational journey. To get started, you can talk to your local Head Start agency to see if you and your child qualify.

HUD Grant

Value: Varies
Deadline: n/a

To apply for a HUD grant, you must have a low to moderate income. The low-income limit is determined by HUD. Once a communities needs are assessed, HUD will award each grant based on the overall needs, poverty level, population, housing, and other factors.

To apply for HUD assistance, you must go to y our local office and demonstrate financial need based on their requirements. If you meet their requirements, you can qualify for free housing.

Kansas Comprehensive Grant

Value: $100-3,500
Deadline: April 1st

The Kansas Comprehensive Grant is funded by the state of Kansas and is designed to help needy Kansas residents. It is specifically for students enrolled in private colleges or universities throughout Kansas.

To be eligible, you must first complete a FAFSA to demonstrate financial need. The grant is specifically awarded based on financial need. Students attending private colleges will be awarded amounts ranging from $200 to $3,500 while those attending public colleges are awarded $100 to $1,500.

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Value: Up to $5,165
Deadline: n/a

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) was established to help New Yorkers pay tuition. You must be a NY resident and be attending one of the approved in New York State.

To apply for TAP assistance, make sure you complete your FAFSA. The FAFSA allows you to link directly to the TAP application. However, if you have already completed your FAFSA before learning of TAP, it’s no problem. Once your FAFSA is received, you will automatically be emailed or sent a postcard with directions on how to complete your TAP application.

Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation

Value: Up to $5,000
Deadline: August 1st

The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation has a goal to offer educational access, opportunity, and equity for low-income women, especially mothers.

To be eligible, you must be at least 17 years old, a mother with minor children, and be enrolled in a not-for-profit, accredited institution or program in the U.S. You must also qualify as low-income based on your family size.

Pell Grant

Value: Up to $6,895
Deadline: June 1st

Federal Pell Grants are educational grants that are given to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. To be eligible cannot already hold a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree.

To apply for a Pell Grant, you must complete the FAFSA to show financial need. The amount awarded depends on your personal financial need along with the cost of attending school and if you plan to attend full-time or part-time.

P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE)

Value: Up to $3,000
Deadline: Varies

The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education is a need-based grant for women to use in completing a degree or certification. The goal is that by completing a degree or certification, you are then able to advance your career or gain new employment that helps support you and your family financially.

The PCE grant can be used for tuition, books, supplies, fees, transportation, childcare while in class or studying, uniforms and equipment.

Section 8 Rental Subsidy

Value: Varies
Deadline: n/a

Section 8 is a housing program regulated by the federal government. It aims to assist needy families in order to afford safe and decent rental housing. The program helps low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled pay a portion of their rent via a voucher.

Those who are eligible typically have 70% of their rent and utilities paid for by the grant. You must pay for the remaining 30%. This program can help you significantly and can help ensure you have safe and consistent housing. You should keep in mind, this program is in high demand and there is typically a long waitlist.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Value: Varies
Deadline: n/a

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children is a program that offers nutritional help for pregnant women, infants, and children who are at nutritional risk.

Based on your family’s needs and size, WIC provides you with the necessities you need to provide your family with healthy food such as milk, bread, eggs, and more. Assistance is even offered to pregnant women to ensure a healthy pregnancy. You are also provided with nutritional advice and support from the agency.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Value: Varies
Deadline: n/a

SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp program, provides funds to needy and low-income families so they can buy healthy foods.

The funds come loaded onto a debit card, which can be used at any participating grocery store. The items that you can purchase with your SNAP card are limited to food and beverages. To apply, you can visit your local SNAP office and fill out an application.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)

Value: Up to $4,000
Deadline: October 1st

The TEACH grant offers up to $4,000 in aid while you are attending school to become a teacher. However, this grant does come with very specific rules.

You must agree to teach a highly needed subject within a low-income area for at least 4 years. If you fail to do so, your grant becomes a loan that must be paid back. To apply, you can fill out the FAFSA. You must also be in a school recognized by the TEACH Grant Program while maintaining at least a 3.25 GPA.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Value: Varies
Deadline: n/a

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families also referred to as TANF, offers short-term financial assistance and work opportunities to needy families.

TANF grants offer cash on a monthly basis so that you can purchase the basics your family needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter. To be eligible, you must demonstrate financial need and also have dependent children or be in your last three months of pregnancy. You must be a US citizen residing in the state where you are applying.

The Kickass Single Mom Stimulus Grant

Value: $500
Deadline: n/a

WealthySingleMommy.com awards a $500 single mom grant to a mom in need. The Kickass Single Mom Stimulus Grant was established to offer help to single moms struggling with money, health, stress, child care, illness, and loneliness.

To be eligible you have to be a single mom and need the money right now. To demonstrate why you need the money, you’ll be asked to fill out a short form on the grant website. As you can see from the information above, there are a number of different grants available that offer large awards to qualified applicants.

Applying for a grant is typically an easy process, although it is important to make sure that you include all requested information for each specific grant application.

What Is the Difference Between a Grant and a Scholarship?

When researching the different forms of financial aid for students, many students get confused about the differences between grants and scholarships. It may even seem like they are being used interchangeably. While there are many similarities between the two forms of aid it is important to understand their unique features.

Both grants and scholarships award financial aid to students pursuing higher education without requiring the money to be paid back. Grants are typically need-based awards and are offered through government programs or non-profit organizations.

Scholarships, on the other hand, can be offered as either merit-based or need-based awards. Unlike federal or state grants, scholarships are also available to students who are not U.S. citizens. While the selection requirements of both scholarships and grants vary, both are excellent ways to fund your education without taking on the burden of student loan debt.

Do I Have to Have a High GPA to Apply?

This can be a concern for single mothers who may have left school previously or had low grades due to extenuating circumstances in the past. Fortunately, many of the scholarship and grant opportunities that we covered above are based on need and not your GPA.

While you may be selected for these financial aid awards based on your current financial situation and circumstances, make sure that you check the fine print of each scholarship or grant your receive. Some may require that you maintain a certain GPA or credit load throughout your educational journey in order to maintain your financial aid.

What About Online Degree Programs?

Beyond the financial obligation of attending school, many single mothers are worried about covering childcare for their kids in order to keep up with their class schedule.

For single mothers who don’t have flexible childcare or need to maintain their current work schedule, online degree programs can be an excellent choice. Over the last several years, many of the nation’s top accredited universities are offering online degree options that put you in control of your education.

Whether you only have time to do course work on the weekends or you have to wait until the kids are in bed to open a textbook, online classes allow you to log in anytime and anywhere. Additionally, you may still be eligible for scholarships and grant awards when enrolling in an online degree program.

What’s My Next Step?

While it can be a challenging journey to earn a degree as a single mother, there are a number of great single mom scholarships and grants to lower your tuition costs and add flexibility to your course schedule.

When you’re ready to take the next step, your first step should be to fill out your FASFA form. This important document determines your eligibility for a number of opportunities, including the Pell Grant. It is also a common prerequisite for applying for additional aid. From there, we recommend that you start researching accredited schools.

Once you have your list narrowed down, check with your school’s advisement office to get information on college-specific or foundational scholarships and grants that are offered for single mothers returning to school. Every mother wants the opportunity to provide their children with a bright future, and furthering your education is a positive step towards reaching your personal and career goals.

From Federal grant programs to scholarships from organizations that believe in empowering women, there are a number of ways you can creatively finance your education and get started on the path of earning your college degree!