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Top Scholarships for Moms and Single Moms in 2022
According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the number of single mothers in college more than doubled between 1999 and 2012. Between the costs of child care and time caring for their children, single moms face unique obstacles to getting their college degree. Luckily, there are a number of scholarships for single moms and moms in general to pay for college.
Jump ahead to:
- Top scholarships for single moms and moms in 2022
- Frequently asked questions
- Other ways to save
- Summary of top scholarships
- Upcoming scholarships
- Explore these other scholarship categories:
These scholarships for single mothers include awards that support students who are attending both two year and four year institutions. These types of scholarships are so important because they will transform the lives of moms and their children.
Moms and single moms may also be eligible for more general scholarships for women, so you can check out those opportunities too!
Top scholarships for single moms and moms in 2022
Niche $50,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship
- Eligibility: All high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year
- Amount: $50,000
- Deadline: February 28, 2022
Custody X Change Giving Fund Scholarship
- Eligibility: Parents who have primary physical custody of their minor children who are enrolled full-time as an undergraduate at an accredited college or university. Applicants must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher or be a first-semester student
- Amount: $500 to $1,000
- Deadline: There are three due dates each year: Spring: Jan 31, Summer: May 31, Fall: Sep 30
Ford Opportunity Program
- Eligibility: Single parents from Oregon and Siskiyou County, California who are/planning to earn a college degree
- Amount: Award covers 90% of unmet college costs (50 are awarded!)
- Deadline: March 1 of each year (must fill out the FAFSA to apply, which opens on October 1–the earlier you fill out the FAFSA, the better!)
Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship
- Eligibility: Women who are 35 or older
- Amount: Up to $10,000
- Deadline: February 26, 2022
American Legion Auxiliary Non-Traditional Student Scholarship
- Eligibility: Members of the American Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of the American Legion who have paid dues for the two preceding years and for calendar year in which the application is made
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: March 1, 2022
Women’s Independence Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Female survivors of intimate partner abuse who have financial need
- Amount: $500-$2,000 per semester for undergraduate and $1,000 per semester for graduate study
- Deadline: March 1, 2022
Adult Students in Scholastic Transition Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Adult women who are transitioning to the work force, higher education, or career training
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: TBD March 2022
Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting Graduate Scholarship
- Eligibility: US citizens with financial need who are working towards a graduate accounting degree
- Amount: $1,000 to $2,000 (plus swag!)
- Deadline: April 30, 2022
Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA)
- Eligibility: Working women who are the primary breadwinners for their families
- Amount: $1,000 to $16,000 per year
- Deadline: April 30, 2022
Frequently asked questions about scholarships for moms and single moms
Do single moms qualify for Pell Grants?
There are four main factors that determine Pell Grant eligibility:
- Students must demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA
- Students must be US citizens or eligible non-citizens
- Students must be attending college as an undergraduate student
- Eligible students may only use their Pell Grant for 12 semesters (this is total semesters and not necessarily consecutive semesters).
As long as you check off the above eligibility boxes, you will be eligible for a Pell Grant! Remember, applying for the FAFSA will also qualify you for other types of financial aid including federal student loans and work study.
Do parents qualify for the FAFSA?
Yes – parents do qualify for the FAFSA! The FAFSA will allow you to unlock need-based financial aid to pay for college. This can include need-based grants, like the Pell Grant, which do not need to be paid back and federal student loans which can have more favorable interest rates and more flexible repayment plans available to you.
We recommend that every single mother who is contemplating going back to college or finishing their degree applies for financial aid with the FAFSA. The other benefit to the FAFSA is that you can typically combine need-based financial aid with merit scholarships.
Where else can moms find scholarships?
We recommend that you start by looking at scholarships offered to your community. Chances are that your local community offers some great scholarship opportunities. We are a big fan of local scholarships, because students have a better chance of winning due to the smaller applicant pool. You can check out our guide to local scholarships to learn more about how to find, apply for, and win local scholarships.
You can also check out the websites of any college you are interested in. Some hold scholarships specifically for moms and single moms, like this scholarship at Wilson College. And, as always, we recommend that you try out our scholarship search tool! This will custom-match you with vetted scholarships and update as deadlines pass and new opportunities open.
What educational grants do moms qualify for?
One of the most useful educational grants for moms in school is the Pell Grant. This is only an option for those pursuing an undergraduate education, but it provides a substantial amount of money based on financial need. The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship is another amazing grant for moms over 35.
Do single dads qualify for scholarships too?
Single dads also qualify for a wide range of scholarships. The best way to start off the search is to fill out the FAFSA and to look into scholarships from your employer and from local organizations. You should also check out our scholarship search tool!
Other ways to save
Scholarships aren’t the only way for moms to save as they further their education! There are many other ways you can help pay for qualifications to advance your career. Here are a few other things to consider, including college alternatives:
Tuition reimbursement
An increasing number of employers offer tuition reimbursement. Some of the best-known tuition reimbursement programs in the country are at Starbucks, Chipotle, and Amazon. Try asking your HR department to see whether this is a benefit your employer offers.
Certificate programs
Certificate programs require significantly less time and money than a regular college education. They are typically more flexible time-wise as well. All of these make for a perfect solution for moms returning to school! There are a wide variety of certificate programs out there, including an especially inexpensive one from Google.
Related: Top certificates to earn this year
Coding bootcamps
Computer science is one of the fastest-growing industries out there, so there’s no surprise that more and more people are getting computer science degrees. Coding bootcamps are a great college alternative to help you start a coding career.
Bootcamps often require no college education or prior knowledge. Additionally, they often offer income-share agreements or suspended tuition. Some won’t make you begin to pay off your tuition until you’ve landed a job after graduation. When they first began, coding bootcamps were very intensive experiences that would be difficult to maintain while raising a child. However, many opportunities now are flexible and doable for moms. One example is Flatiron School.
Also see: Top coding bootcamp scholarships
Online college
Online college is another burgeoning alternative to traditional four-year colleges. Many schools are offering courses through sites like Coursera. This is an especially popular option for certificates, but also for advanced degrees. They are less expensive, more flexible, and less time-intensive than four-year colleges. Although their prestige is still forming because it is a relatively new concept, the effects of COVID have helped to make more of the population accept online college as a college alternative.
Also see: Top scholarships for online students
Summary of top scholarships for single mothers
- Niche $50,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship
- Custody X Change Giving Fund Scholarship
- Ford Opportunity Program
- Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship
- American Legion Auxiliary Non-Traditional Student Scholarship
- Women’s Independence Scholarship Program
- Adult Students in Scholastic Transition Scholarship Program
- Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting Graduate Scholarship
- Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA)
Upcoming scholarships for single mothers
Live Your Dream Award
- Eligibility: Women with financial need who provide the primary financial support of dependents. Dependents can include children, spouses, partners, siblings and/or parents
- Amount: $16,000
- Opens: August 1, 2022
Patsy Takemoto Mink Award
- Eligibility: Low-income mothers pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree
- Amount: $5,000
