While you may have a hard time finding grants specifically for single mothers, single moms still have plenty of options when it comes to paying for school. Grants are need-based scholarships that come from a variety of funding sources, from federal programs to corporate and non-profit organizations, and they do not have to repaid. Grants and scholarships for women, low-income households, and adult and returning students are all designed to help overcome challenges that many single mothers face. If you are single mother, you may qualify for a number of different grant types, depending on your circumstances.
The amount of funding you can receive from a need based grant can vary considerably. Depending on the source of the grant, the award amount may change from one year to the next based on the funding available. Some grants and scholarships for single mothers may offer as little as $100 while others will cover your tuition and fees. Also, some colleges and universities offer tuition discounts for single mothers.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to qualify for a single mother grant, you will need to verify that you are a single parent. You may also need to document your income and financial need by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), particularly if you are applying for a government-funded scholarship or grant. However, private grants also prioritize applicants with financial needs. For example, The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation is a private grant that awards $3,000 scholarships to low-income mothers. However, grants that are not specifically for single mothers can have a range of eligibility requirements. Some may require that you be over a certain age, returning to school, or be pursuing a degree in an in-demand field.
Types of Single Mother Grants
- Education Support Award: The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation awards $3000 grants to low-income mothers pursuing a skills training program, vocational or associate, degree, or first bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
- Capture the Dream Single Parent Scholarship: This $1000 funding opportunity from Capture the Dream is available to low-income single parents planning to enroll in two-or four-year college programs who are also residents of California.
- Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund: Women over 35 years old from low-income households are eligible for this award as long as they are pursuing a first undergraduate or vocational degree.
- Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women: Linda Lael Miller Women’s scholarship is only for female students who are over 25 years old.
- Kaplan University Single Parent Scholarship: Single parents enrolling with Kaplan University can receive a $500 per term reduction in tuition on select degree program offerings.