Have you ever done an internet search for single mom scholarships? If so, then you probably got so sick and tired of weeding through spam that you eventually gave up. I’ve been there before!
I, too, have considered going back to school and finishing my degree. I just haven’t decided which path I want to take yet. I know for some single mothers continuing education can be the ticket to financial stability.
Going back to school can, however, be extremely expensive. That’s why it’s so important that you take the time to find scholarships and grants before taking out student loans.
(Note: This post was originally published in 2013. It has been updated as of August of 2019. Some of the original opportunities are no longer available and have been deleted from the post.)
10 Places Single Moms Can Apply for Scholarships
I want to free you from the spam! I have spent hours compiling this list of 100% legitimate places where you can apply for scholarships or grants.
Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity
This organization gives out over $1.5 million dollars to over 1,000 women to help them achieve their dreams. Award amounts vary from $3,000, $5,000 and $10,000. Here is a brief overview of the qualifications:
- must be woman who provides primary financial support for her dependents
- must be in financial need
- must have not have previously been awarded through the organization
- must be enrolled in a skills program or an undergraduate degree
This sounds like one of the best organizations I have read about so far. If you want to read the full qualifications or fill out an application, you can do so here.
The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation
This foundation will award five single mothers a $3,000 scholarship this year. Here are the qualifications:
- must be a women, at least 17 years old
- must be a mom, must have minor children
- must be enrolled in a degree,GED, or skills/vocational program
- must be low income
You can read the full list of qualifications and apply here.
Emerge Scholarships
Emerge offers scholarships to women in the amount of $2,000 – $5,000 dollars. They have a detailed list of qualifications, but here are a few basics:
- must be a resident of Georgia
- must be at least 25 years old
- must be enrolled or accepted to a continuing education program
- must fill out the application and essay form
To view the complete list of qualifications and apply for this scholarship, you can visit Emerge Scholarships Website.
The Jeanette Rankin Foundation
I could not find a specific scholarship amount for this foundation but they have helped a lot of women go back to school. Here are the qualifications:
- must be a woman, age 35 or older
- must be low income
- pursuing a technical, vocational, associates degree, or first bachelors degree
- citizen of the US
- accepted to ACICS regionally accredited school
To see the full set of qualifications and apply you can visit their website here.
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
This organization gave out more than $3.7 million dollars in funding to women in the 2017-2018 school year. They have a variety of grants and fellowship programs available. Here is a complete list:
- American Fellowships
- Career Development Grants
- Community Action Grants
- International Fellowships
- International Project Grants
- Selected Professions Fellowships
You can visit their website here. You will be able to check out the fellowships and grants you are interested in and learn about the qualifications and application process from there.
The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting
As it sounds, this scholarship is awarded to women pursuing accounting degrees. There are a few different scholarships you can apply for. The award amounts range from $1,000-$5,000 dollars. Here is a brief overview of the qualifications.
- Must be a woman who is the primary source of support for her family
- Must be pursuing a degree in accounting.
To view all of the available scholarships and learn about the application process, you can visit their website here.
FAFSA
Our list wouldn’t be complete without the almighty FAFSA. The FAFSA is a government grant that will help you pay for school if you meet the income criteria.
I received this grant when I was enrolled in community college. It paid for all of my tuition and all I had to cover was books. Even if you are applying for scholarships, don’t forget to apply for the FAFSA. It can be a great help.
If you need help filling out make an appointment with the financial aid department of your school.
You can fill out a FAFSA application here. (You can also check out the other grants for single moms going back to college.) There you have it. 10 places single moms can get scholarships or grants to go back to school. Be sure to apply to all that you qualify for. Best of luck to you!
*Updated* I’ll continue to update the list as I see more scholarships. So, here you go:
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers Single Mother Scholarship
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will be awarding two single mothers a $1,000 scholarship.
In order to apply you’ll need to write a 500+ word essay on the advantages of going back to school while being a mother. Five finalists will be chosen. The finalists essays will be posted on the RIL website and social media. The two essays with the most tweets will win the scholarship. Here are some other requirements:
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- Enrollment in an accredited high school, college or university in the U.S.
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- Must be a mother who is attending school
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- Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of a minimum of 3.0
- Applications must be received by December for the following school year
Read further details and apply here.
FAFSA – This is a federal program that almost every college, university and trade school uses. You send all your info in to this one place ( preferable Jan 1st) to see if you qualify for government grants or loans. Schools use this info ( your income , etc) to award their own scholarships, grants and loans. ~ Christie
Thank you for this list I will definitely be book marking this post for next year.
You’re welcome, I am glad it will help!
I just find it ironic how many lenders and scammers decided to post on this blog!
Alexa, this is a great post and I’m sure will be of value to a lot of women. I blog about getting out of debt and building wealth. If more people tried to get access to grant funds/scholarships, it would go a long way to building wealth in more than one way.
You are always right on time with your posts!! I have just registered to begin taking courses to complete my Business Administration – Financial Services Degree beginning this summer and this is great information. Thanks for posting!
Good luck with your degree! And you’re welcome!!
Very helpful! I am considering the possibility of going back to school as a single mom – printing this list for reference. Thanks!
This is a great list of resources. Also make sure to let your readers know that they are eligible for at least $2k in free tax credits, every year, to help offset the costs of continuing education.
As I am looking for a scholaship to go back to school. I am a single mother… However I can’t find anything for going back to school to be an esthetican. Do you know of where or whom I can apply for that? I have already filled out my fafsa. Thanks~
Thank you so much for this list of sites, I have found it incredibly helpful. I am closer to accomplishing my goals thanks to this page that you put together!
Thanks for the info. Very helpful. Learned about three scholarships I’d never heard of before. Keep it coming!
Hi I was going through your list of scholarships. I am wondering if you know more Canadian scholarships. I can’t seem to find that many. Thanks
hi, Did you ever find more canadian grants and scholarships for single moms? i need help. cant seem to find any
This is a great post! I volunteer with a non-profit organization called Teen MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) where I work alongside of 15-25 teen moms, ages 15-18. Many of them find it difficult and discouraging to continue their education due to extenuating circumstances and the trails of being a young mother. I have been assigned the task to provide these ladies with resources that will help this transition be somewhat easier. If you come across any more scholarships or grant opportunities please feel free to contact me. Thank you
Thank you for creating this website. Student loans create debt whereas scholarships could decrease the amount of tuition that comes out of our pocket. I really need to continue my education for my daughter sake.
Thank you again.
Titania
Can you help me find out a way from here in India. I really need to study again and find a job for my daughter . But no money to initiate my future please help !
Nice post for giving information about single mom scholarships . This post might have helped lot of single moms . Keep posting such posts .
From a single mom who life is already hectic and busy non-stop – THANK YOU for the simplicity!! I too am detemined to make it!
This post is SO helpful, thanks!!!!!
Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear this website has been updated in some time.. most of the Deadlines are for 2014 or earlier in the year
Hi Lena, we will be updating the site with new scholarship opportunities for student hoping to enroll in 2016. Thanks for your patience.
I’ve reach the point of frustration and giving up. Finishing school has become a challenge for me because unfortunately I have ran out of money to complete it. I have four classes left at Capella and have no funds with which to finish. I’d been searching and searching. I can’t find any assistance. I’ve even created a go fund me account to see, if people can donate other for Disney trips, and dog surgeries that maybe I can get help to finish. Any advice
Search for local scholarships and apply. I know sometimes it feel like you’re taking a shot in the dark, but if you don’t qualify for financial aid/ran out of funds, and you can’t or don’t want to take out student loans, scholarships can help and most opportunities that are backed by local organizations are legitimate and can help.
The FAFSA only gives grants to undergrads.
Appreciate the comment
Thank you so much for doing all the dirty work for us
Thanks for putting up this information. Although I don’t qualify for 90% of this as I am a full-time Single DAD. It is near impossible to find anything for single dads (we are an invisible group it seems) let alone single parents out here. Most info is for single moms (which is great and needed), or for low-income single parents (also needed), but being in Canada I have found that unless one is on welfare or disability there are very limited resources. I am trying to get 5 courses to finish my BA, which is going to cost me $4800 in tuition, and as I am on temp. medical ei, I qualify for zip. Lots of searching for that needle in a haystack, but thanks for this from the other gender half.
This list is very helpful, many single mothers can get help form this list. thanks for uploading it
Are there scholarships for single mothers in africa. I m a single mum and cant afford my university fees. If u know of any organisation please help
Hi Marilyn, all these opportunities are U.S.-based so we’re not sure about scholarship opportunities in other countries and how that works. I’d recommend you ask your university if they provide any funding opportunities along with any private or public organizations.
I’m sorry. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any scholarships available in Africa.
If anyone knows of any great scholarship opportunities for graduate level, please let me know!
Here’s a directory you can use – https://www.fastweb.com/directory/scholarships-for-first-year-graduate-students
Fantastic post! I have been looking for where to apply for scholarships but could not find any genuine one. I will try these out.
Thanks for this post. I have been looking for the list of scholarships place I can trust.
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Thank you so much. I have been looking for a place to apply for a scholarship as a single mom for a very long time. This post really helped me.
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