Zina Kumok Image Written By: Zina Kumok | Edited By: Kevin Ladd | Updated: October 16, 2024

Scholarships for Moms

Key takeaways:

  • There are about 1.7 million single mothers enrolled in college, representing more than two in five student parents.
  • Single mothers can qualify for various forms of financial aid, including federal grants (such as Pell Grants), scholarships, and state-specific aid.
  • Earning a degree can significantly improve the economic prospects of single mothers. Earning a bachelor's degree can boost earnings by up to $1.1 million.

When you think about the typical college student, you probably imagine an 18-year-old who just graduated from high school. However, the reality is surprisingly different. In fact, about 22% of all undergraduate students are parents, with most of them being mothers.

Being a parent and being a college student is a tough combo. It requires a lot of hard work, organizational skills and persistence. And unfortunately, it’s also difficult to pay for school while you’re also managing kid-related expenses.

But that’s where scholarships for moms come in. These awards can help mothers pay for their education. Read below to learn how to apply for scholarships for moms, where to find them and how they work.

What is a mom scholarship?

A mom scholarship is an award given to a female student who is a parent. Many mom scholarships focus on single or divorced parents, since those students often have a harder time supporting themselves through school. However, some mom scholarships may also accept married mothers.

How to Apply for Scholarships for Moms

These scholarships are also often only given to moms who currently have a dependent child. If you have a 25-year-old child who isn’t living at home, then you will likely not qualify for one of these awards.

Some mom scholarships may not be explicitly given to parents, but can reward students who are overcoming difficult circumstances. For example, the Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier "Sister to Sister" Scholarship is given to older African-American students who are returning students. Two winners will be chosen, and each winner will receive $1,000.

No matter what kind of school you’re attending, you can find mom scholarships - or regular scholarships - to help cover your costs. Many students incorrectly assume that scholarships are only given to full-time undergraduate students, but there are scholarships for part-time students, as well as students in community college, graduate school or even doctoral programs.

How to qualify for a mom scholarship

Each scholarship will have its own unique rules and requirements. In general, if you're looking for a mom scholarship, you probably need to be a biological or adoptive parent. Step-parents may be excluded from these types of awards, even if they’re providing financial support.

Some mom scholarships may also have other qualifying requirements. For example, the Capture the Dream Single Parent Scholarship is only given to low-income single parents who live in the Bay Area. They must attend a non-profit two- or four-year accredited school. This award gives out $1,000 per winner.

Many scholarships have GPA or test score requirements, and some are more strict than others. A general rule of thumb is that you need to have a minimum 3.0 GPA to qualify, but this can vary depending on the exact award.

How to apply for a mom scholarship

Every student, especially if they’re a mom, should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before applying for regular scholarships. The FAFSA is your ticket to federal financial aid, including Pell grants, student loans and work-study.

Also, the FAFSA is often required to qualify for state grants and scholarships given directly by the school. Plus, moms getting their undergraduate degree will qualify for more in federal student loan funding than non-parents. All students should submit the FAFSA, unless they’re specifically ineligible (for example, because they are not a citizen).

Make sure to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible. Some awards are only given on a limited basis so it literally pays to fill out the application earlier.

Once you’ve submitted the FAFSA, you can start looking for other scholarships. Use the directory at Scholarships.com and create an account so you can save awards that look the most intriguing. Make sure to include as much information about yourself so you can apply for as many potential scholarships as possible.

For example, if you’re an immigrant, as well as a mom, look for scholarships for immigrant students. Having more unique characteristics can open up more doors to win scholarships.

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 Scholarships for Moms with Approaching Deadlines

How to find mom scholarships

First, see what your school’s financial aid department says. Many schools offer a wide variety of scholarships to eligible students. You may have to complete a separate application to be eligible for all the scholarships your school offers.

If you’re a current student, talk to your academic advisor to ensure that you’re applying for all possible scholarships. They may know about grants and scholarships that aren’t easily found.

If you’re a local student, you may be eligible for many state-based grants and scholarships. To qualify for these, you usually have to complete the FAFSA, as well as a separate application form. These awards are usually available for students attending both public and private schools. Some of these grants may be given on a first-come, first-serve basis so try to apply sooner rather than later.

You can also try searching mom scholarships on Google. Try pairing the keywords “mom scholarship” with other words specific to you. For example, if you’re studying computer science, look for “mom tech scholarships.” Yes, this may seem too niche, but you might be shocked at what you find.

What can I use a mom scholarship for?

Some scholarships have very restrictive rules on using the funds only for tuition and fees, while others are much more lenient. It all depends on the specific scholarship.

For example, the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund lets students use the money for daycare, living expenses and commuting costs. To qualify for this award, students must be from the state of Arkansas or Bowie County, Texas and be a single parent. You must also have 50% custody or more. Scholarship amounts will vary.

If you win a mom scholarship, make sure you understand what you can use the funds for. If you use the funds outside of their designated purpose, you may get in trouble with the scholarship committee and have to give back the funds.