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.
