You are struggling to keep a roof over your kids’ heads and food on the table, and you are working day in and day out just to make that happen. As a single mom, there is very little time to sleep – much less time for thinking about things like returning to school to finish your degree.
In today’s economy, finding a job is hard. Finding one without adequate educational credentials is harder. If you want to support your family for the long haul, you must take a break from what you are doing, find some help, and get back in school. You will be better prepared to provide for your family once you graduate; you can get a raise or find a better job altogether. Understanding what scholarships and grants for single mothers are out there will help you get started in your journey to better both yourself and your family.
Federal Scholarships and Grants for Single Mothers
The first step when applying for grants for single moms is to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. You can do this by visiting the U.S. Department of Education’s web portal. Once you have completed this step, you will automatically be eligible for financial grants for single mothers. After the U.S. Department of Education processes your application, you will receive a notice in the mail informing you of the grants you have received.
There are several kinds of federal cash grants for single mothers that you may qualify for once you have filed the FAFSA. These programs include:
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
- Federal Pell Grant
- TEACH Grant
State Scholarships and Grants for Single Mothers
The next step you should take is to visit your state’s agency that deals with financial aid. Stop by the U.S. Department of Education’s website and find your state. Contact the agency and make an appointment. When you are there, apply for as many state scholarships and grants as possible. Make sure to mention your area of study, because you may qualify for nursing grants for single mothers, teaching grants for single mothers, or others depending on your field.
The scholarships and grants you may apply and qualify for will of course vary by state, but some examples of state-based grants and scholarships include the following programs:
- The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund
- Georgia Executive Women’s Network (GEWN) Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship
- New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
- Georgia’s Wish Scholarship
Private Scholarships and Grants for Single Mothers
Once you have maxed out your options on the federal and state levels, look for private entities that offer scholarships and grants for single mothers and apply for anything you can find. Some private organizations and individual scholarships you can research include:
- Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
- Displaced Homemaker Scholarships
- Possible Woman Foundation Scholarship
- Women’s Opportunity Awards
- Raise the Nation Foundation’s “Child of a Single Parent Woman Scholarship“
- The Crane Fund for Widows and Children (Indiana residents)
You can find private scholarships and grants in a variety of places online, so by no means is this list exhaustive. It is a guide for you to get started. You can visit your state’s Department of Education to find more about private scholarships and grants in your state, or you can do an internet search to find national private entities that offer financial help for your education as well.