Top 5 scholarships for mothers overall
Our editors hand-picked the following scholarships for moms because the organizations offering them are well-established, the awards are impressive, and the requirements allow a wide variety of applicants. Apply with confidence to our top 5 scholarships for mothers:
- “Mom to Scholar” Scholarship for Mothers – For mothers who want to begin or resume their journey towards earning a technical or college degree. Worth $1,000
- CustomersFirst Academy Scholarship For Moms – For mothers attending college in Canada or the US. Worth $1,000
- Generation Google Scholarship – For HS seniors, college, and grad students who plan to study computer science or engineering. Worth $10,000. Preference given to women and ethnic minorities
- Palantir Women in Technology – For women in college majoring in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field. Worth $7,000
- Women In Need Scholarship – For women who are the primary source of support for her family and is completing her sophomore year of academic pursuit to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Worth $2,000
How to win scholarships for moms and single moms
Just as with any scholarship, scholarships for moms and single moms receive a lot of applications. They can only choose the most compelling applications to award their money to, so it’s important to stand out in yours. One great way to do this is to research the organization and read the scholarship carefully to figure out what values they are looking for in a candidate.
Once you have this figured out, try to emphasize these values in your essays and application materials. In order to craft an effective essay, we recommend checking out some of our guides, like how to write a winning scholarship essay, how to write an essay about yourself, and how to tailor your writing to 250 or 500 word limits. We can also walk you through some common scholarship essay prompts and help you write a scholarship resume.
Finally, don’t forget to apply to local scholarships! Local scholarships typically receive far less applications than nationwide or international ones. This means that each applicant has a better chance of winning. Look for some local community organizations, whether it is a church or community college or community center, and see if there are any opportunities offered.
Related: Top Colleges in the United States for Affordability
Other ways to save
College scholarships aren’t the only way for women returning to school 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
Community college
Community colleges are a great option for moms and single moms to earn a degree. They are far less expensive than traditional four-year colleges, and are typically flexible on timing. They often offer night classes which can fit into a parent’s schedule after work.
Many adult learners end up enrolling at a community college to earn an associate’s degree, then transfer into a four-year program afterwards. This helps save money during those first two years, and allows you to move at your own pace.
Related: Top community college 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. This makes them all the more feasible for single parents.
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
Frequently asked questions about scholarships for moms and single moms
Do single moms qualify for Pell Grants?
1. Students must demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA
2. Students must be US citizens or eligible non-citizens
3. Students must be attending college as an undergraduate student
4. 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! There is no maximum age for eligibility. 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?
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 assistance with merit scholarships.
Where else can moms find 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. We also 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?
Do single dads qualify for scholarships too?
Can I get a scholarship for being a mom?
Explore these other scholarship categories:
- Scholarships for nontraditional students
- Top scholarships for adults
- Scholarships for online college
- Easy scholarships to apply to
- Top no essay scholarships
Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.