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 scholarship scholarships for single moms and moms in general to pay for college.

Jump ahead to:

• Top scholarships for single moms and moms in 2020
• Financial aid tips for moms
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Summary of top scholarships
• Expired scholarships

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 life of the mother, but also the child.

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 2020

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

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, 2021

Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship

• Eligibility: Women who are 35 or older
• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Deadline: February 26

Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship — College Award

• Eligibility: College and graduate students who are single moms
• Amount: $2,000 (winners will also receive a year of free high-quality, organic baby formula from Little Bundle!)
• Deadline: July 1, 2021

Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship–High School Award 

• Eligibility: Open to all high school level single moms, children of single moms, or people whose lives have been impacted in positive ways by single moms 
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: January 1, 2021

The Deana Kendrick Foundation (TDKF)

• Eligibility: Open to women over the age of thirty who are returning to college or are currently in college
• Amount: $250 to 500 per semester
• Deadline: December 11

Financial aid tips for moms and single moms

Complete 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 repayment terms.

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.

Apply for Local Scholarships

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do single moms qualify for Pell Grants?

There are four main factors that determine Pell Grant eligibility:

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! Remember, applying for the FAFSA will also qualify you for other types of financial aid including federal student loans and work study.

Summary of top scholarships for single mothers

1. Custody X Change Giving Fund Scholarship
2. Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA)
3. Capture the Dream – The Single Parent Scholarship (reopens in April 2021)
4. Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship — College Award
5. Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship–High School Award 
6. Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship (reopens in November 2020)
7. Patsy Takemoto Mink Award
8. The Deana Kendrick Foundation (TDKF)

Expired Scholarships:

Capture the Dream – The Single Parent Scholarship

• Eligibility: Low-income single parents who will be attending a two or four year college in the fall. Eligible applicants must be residents of the Bay Area (CA).
• Deadline: June 30th (Opens April 1)
• Amount: $1,000

Patsy Takemoto Mink Award

• Eligibility: Open to low-income mothers pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree
• Amount: $5,000
• Deadline: August 1 (Opens Spring 2021)