Key Takeaways:
- There are scholarships specifically designed to support single mothers who are pursuing higher education. These scholarships can help cover tuition, books, and other educational expenses.
- Some organizations and institutions offer scholarships exclusively for single mothers, while others may have specific criteria that single moms can qualify for.
- It’s a good idea to research scholarships from local community organizations, women’s advocacy groups, colleges, universities, and online scholarship databases.
- Government programs and non-profit organizations sometimes offer financial aid or grants that can help single mothers pursue their educational goals.
Going to college isn’t supposed to be easy, but it shouldn’t be impossible, either. Unfortunately experts are forecasting that six figure tuition costs aren’t far off. While many colleges will not cost this much it is still indicative of the mounting costs for attending college.
Something everyone needs to worry about unless you live in a state like Minnesota where state college is free for families that make under $80,000 per year. For many single moms, college scholarships may represent the only viable route to earning college degrees.
When you think of scholarships, high school students may come to mind. But some of these financial aid awards are earmarked for single mothers in financial need. We also have a great ranking of colleges for non-traditional students.
This scholarship money is intended to ease a portion of the significant struggles these prospective students face when attempting to pay for their higher education expenses, whether they’re headed to community college or university.
If you’re a single mom (or dad!) looking for a way to pay for college expenses, you’ve come to the right place. Aside from listing 15 good options for single mom scholarships, our editors have gone one step further.
They have also provided detailed information about the many types of college scholarships available for parents taking on both school and child-rearing simultaneously.
Here, you will find invaluable insight into the scholarship application process for those with dreams of attending school. This includes tips on how to make your application stand out when pursuing higher education.
You’ll also find information on where to find college scholarships specifically designated as “single mom scholarships,” including merit based scholarships and need based scholarships for low income mothers.
Keep in mind that like grants for single moms, single mother scholarships don’t have to be paid back. We also have a ranking of affordable online colleges for non traditional students.
Cindy Ross Scholarship for Single Parents – Cameron University
The Cindy Ross Scholarship is an endowed scholarship. This financial award is for single moms pursuing a four-year college degree at Cameron University. Eligibility requirements for the scholarship include:
- Single mom or dad
- Attending college full-time at the university
- Legal custody
- 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Bachelor’s degree track
The scholarship can be renewed each semester that college students are successfully enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at Cameron University. Both single moms and dads pursuing an undergraduate degree are eligible.
Value: Non-Specified
J.Gilbert Reese Scholarship Fund for Single Parents – Central Ohio Technical College
The J. Gilbert Reese Scholarship for single moms 2023 was established by the Board of Trustees of the Newark Campus Development Fund. It is a merit-based scholarship program for single moms attending Central Ohio Technical College to earn a college degree. Eligibility for this financial award is based upon the following:
- High School Diploma
- Good Academic Standing
- Complete Central Ohio Technical College Application
- Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Legal Custody
These are scholarships for single parent households. That means all single parents (both moms and dads) in pursuit of an undergraduate degree may apply to this scholarship.
Value: Non-Specified
Phyllis A. Keltner Foundation for Women Scholarship – University of Arkansas, Little Rock
The University of Arkansas-Little Rock’s Phyllis A. Keltner Foundation for Women Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship. Like college grants for single moms, this award does not need to be repaid. It covers tuition for up to 12 hours of study per semester at the university.
This financial award also includes a $300 per semester award for college education expenses like books and supplies. Single moms qualify for this generous scholarship if they meet the following criteria:
- High school diploma
- Have primary legal custody of their child/children
- Undergraduate degree enrollment at UA-Little Rock
- Written narrative
- Completed and current FAFSA to demonstrate financial status
The single mom scholarship may be renewed each year that the recipient is attending college, but the student must submit an annual application.
Value: Full-Tuition
Single Mom Scholarship Program – Lincoln Technical Institute
Offering some of the best college scholarships for single moms, the Single Parent Scholarship Program at Lincoln Technical Institute is designed for students who hope to improve their career prospects in a vocational field.
It provides $1,000 college scholarships for single moms who elect one of the following associate degree programs from the community college:
- Automotive Technology
- Health Sciences
- Business
- Skilled Trades
- Hospitality Services
- Information Technology
A university application and a FAFSA application are required for consideration to this trade school scholarship. Both single moms and dads are welcome to apply.
Value: $1,000
Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund – Arkansas Colleges and Universities
The Arkansas Parent Scholarship Fund is not just one scholarship for single moms. It’s actually a fund that supports several different college scholarships ideal for the single mom. This includes traditional merit based scholarships and skilled vocational scholarships.
To qualify, single parents must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- High school diploma
- Joint or sole custody of a child under age 18
- Single or divorce pending
- U.S. citizen
- 2.0 GPA
- Demonstrate financial need (taxable income not exceeding 250% of the federal poverty guidelines)
The scholarship program also requires that recipients be enrolled in a degree or certificate program leading to wages that can provide primary financial support for a family.
You will also need to fill out the FAFSA, the same application that will determine your eligibility for Pell grants for single moms as well as other financial aid awards.
Value: Varies
Fortera Foundation Bridge Scholarship – Austin Peay State University
The Fortera Foundation Bridge Scholarship from Austin Peay State University is one of the more flexible college scholarships for single moms pursuing degrees and other credentials.
Students can qualify for this financial aid award whether they are studying full-time or part-time toward an undergraduate degree or certificate. Certain eligibility requirements do apply, though. These include:
- High School Diploma
- 2.0 GPA
- Legal custody of minor child/children (50% or more)
- Demonstrate financial need
- Single mom or divorce pending
The scholarship may be renewed to pursue higher education each term, but students must reapply for renewal.
Value: $4,000
Ruth Harrington Luncheon Single Parent Scholarship – Central Washington University
The Ruth Harrington Luncheon Scholarship from Central Washington University is reserved for high-achieving single moms and dads. To qualify, students must maintain a 3.2 GPA or higher while pursuing a college education.
Additionally, applicants must be currently enrolled at the university as a non-traditional student. They must also be able to show evidence of their status as a single parent (i.e., at least one dependent child) attending college. Each recipient of this financial aid award will receive $1,500.
This scholarship is available through Central Washington University’s Financial Aid Department. It is made possible through a donation from Ruth Harrington.
Value: $1,500
BYU Marriott Single Parent Scholarship – Brigham Young University
The BYU Marriott Scholarship is funded by the school’s National Advisory Council Spouse Association. It is one of the few college scholarships available for graduate students who also happen to be single moms (or dads).
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in one of Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Business graduate programs. They must also be in good academic standing as they pursue higher education. Other eligibility criteria apply as well, including:
- High school diploma
- Single Parent Household
- Primary Custody of Minor Children (Primary Financial Support)
- Yearly Evaluation
The amount of this particular financial aid is unspecified. But its mission is to help single moms with their educational expenses as they pursue a college degree.
Value: Not Specified
Patsy Takemoto Foundation Education Support Awards – N/A
One of the more valuable private scholarships for single moms in higher education is the Patsy Takemoto Foundation Education Support Award. This financial aid award was established specifically for single mothers. It is only open to female students with minor children who can prove their status as low-income women with financial need.
The scholarship is highly selective, and only five female students are selected for each school year. Other requirements include:
- High school diploma
- Age 17 or older
- Enrollment in an accredited, nonprofit school
- Enrollment in her first degree program
Specific criteria can be found on the foundation’s website.
Value: $5,000
Downer-Bennett Scholarship – University of New Mexico
The Downer-Bennett Scholarship is an endowed higher education scholarship for single mothers offered by the University of New Mexico. Non-traditional students are considered for this financial aid award upon enrollment. There is no official application for this single mom scholarship.
Still, as the UNM Scholarships Office considers potential recipients, it takes into account criteria such as:
- High school diploma
- Undergraduate enrollment
- Full-time status (at least 12 credit hours per semester)
- Grade-point average (GPA) and academic achievement
Single parents must also agree to write a scholarship thank-you letter to the award donor upon receiving the scholarship.
Value: Varies
The Kentucky Colonels Better Life Scholarship – Bluegrass Community and Technical College
The Kentucky Colonels Better Life Scholarship is designed for working adults who also happen to be single moms. It awards $2,500 per school year to two selected students who meet the eligibility criteria. These criteria include:
- High school diploma
- Employment or work-study
- Primary custody of child/children under the age of 12
- Degree program enrollment
- First-time student preferred
The higher education scholarship is renewable for up to four semesters. Both single moms and dads who are primary caregivers are encouraged to apply.
Value: $2,500 annually
Emporia State Single Parent Scholarship – Emporia State University
School: Emporia State University
Like many scholarships, Emporia State University’s scholarship for single moms is a $2,500 per year renewable financial aid award. It is available to both undergraduate and graduate students. The scholarship money is awarded to single mothers who meet the following requirements:
- High school diploma
- 2.75 GPA
- Primary or joint custody of dependent children
- Single, widowed, or divorced
- Completed FAFSA to demonstrate financial need
Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours of coursework. Graduate students must take at least 7 credit hours per semester.
Value: $2,500
Custody X Change Parent Scholarship – N/A
The Custody X Change Scholarship is an essay-based scholarship. It invites single mothers to describe how a college education will improve their family in 400-500 words.
Three scholarships are awarded each year– $1,000 each for the Spring and Fall semesters and $500 for the Summer session. To be eligible for this single mom scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- High school diploma
- First-time student or 3.0 GPA
- Part-time or full-time enrollment at an accredited postsecondary school
- Single mom with primary physical custody
A college transcript or admissions letter is also required at the time of application.
Value: $500-$1,000
Ford Opportunity Program – Oregon and California Schools
School: Oregon and California Schools
The Ford Opportunity Program is offered through the Ford Family Foundation. It was originally created for single moms, but it is now open to all parents of any age as well as adults ages 25 and under. This program awards nearly 100 scholarships each year to students from Oregon and Siskiyou County, Oregon. To be eligible, single moms and dads must meet the following criteria:
- High school diploma
- Enrolled in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program
- Full-time enrollment while pursuing a college education
- Enrollment at a public or nonprofit private school in the student’s state
- At least one year of school remaining
This generous scholarship for single parents covers up to 90% of outstanding college expenses for each recipient.
Value: Varies
Beatrice F. Kroesche Memorial Scholarship – University of Utah
The Beatrice F. Kroesche Memorial Scholarship is an institutional scholarship for single mothers. It is awarded to University of Utah students who major in Education or English. Eligibility requirements for this $1,000 to $2,000 financial aid award include:
- High school diploma
- 3.0 GPA
- Full-time course load
- Enrollment in the College of Education or Department of English
The number of scholarships awarded each year varies. Single parents, whether a single mom or dad, are encouraged to apply.
Value: $1,000-$2,000 annually