Scholarships for Single Mothers Going Back to School (2026)

Going back to college as a single mother takes incredible courage and determination. Between managing childcare, work, and daily life, finding time and money for education can feel overwhelming. But here’s the encouraging truth: single mothers are among the most prioritized groups for educational financial aid in the United States. Billions of dollars in scholarships, grants, and assistance programs are available specifically for single moms – and this guide brings the best of them together in one place.

Federal Aid: Start Here Before Anything Else

Federal Pell Grant – Your Most Important First Step

Award value: Up to $7,395/year (2025-2026 academic year)

Eligibility: Undergraduate students with exceptional financial need; single mothers with dependents often qualify for the maximum award

The Federal Pell Grant is the foundation of financial aid for low-income undergrads. As a single mother, your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is typically very low, making you highly likely to qualify for maximum or near-maximum Pell funding. You must file the FAFSA every year to receive it. See our complete Federal Pell Grant guide for eligibility details and application steps.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Award value: $100-$4,000/year

Eligibility: Students with exceptional financial need; priority given to Pell Grant recipients with lowest EFC

FSEOG is campus-based aid distributed by participating colleges. As a Pell-eligible single mother, you’re often at the front of the FSEOG priority queue. Contact your financial aid office directly – funds run out quickly.

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

While not a scholarship, TANF provides cash assistance and may cover childcare and transportation costs that enable you to attend school. Many states allow TANF recipients to count college attendance as qualifying work activity. Contact your state’s TANF office for state-specific rules.

National Scholarships Specifically for Single Mothers

1. Patsy T. Mink Education Foundation Scholarship

Award value: $5,000

Eligibility: Low-income women 17+ with dependent children pursuing education or vocational training; GPA 2.0+ required

Named after the first woman of color elected to Congress and the author of Title IX, this scholarship specifically supports low-income mothers. Recipients don’t need to be enrolled in a traditional 4-year college – vocational programs qualify. The application includes an essay about educational goals and how the scholarship will help.

Deadline: Typically January (check patsy t mink foundation website annually)

2. Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

Award value: Up to $2,000-$2,500

Eligibility: Women 35 and older pursuing education (technical/vocational or undergraduate); demonstrated financial need; US citizens or permanent residents

Named after the first woman elected to Congress, this fund specifically serves non-traditional women students – including single mothers returning to school later in life. Applications are reviewed holistically based on need, goals, and life circumstances.

3. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award

Award value: $1,000-$10,000 (tiered; final winners receive higher amounts)

Eligibility: Women (including single mothers) who are the primary financial supporter of their household; pursuing vocational/skills training or undergraduate education

Soroptimist is a global women’s organization with chapters across every US state. The Live Your Dream Award is specifically designed for women who are the primary breadwinners for their families while trying to advance their education. Apply through your local Soroptimist chapter – the local chapter reviews and nominates applicants to the regional level, and regional winners advance to national competition. This multi-round process means your application gets multiple chances.

Deadline: November 15 most years

4. Amber Foundation Scholarship

Award value: $2,000

Eligibility: Single mothers pursuing associate or bachelor’s degrees; demonstrated financial hardship; motivation and community service considered

The Amber Foundation is a smaller scholarship with less competition than nationally-known programs, making your odds of success higher. It focuses on women who are actively working to better their lives through education despite significant obstacles.

5. Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)

Award value: $500-$5,000

Eligibility: Survivors of intimate partner violence; minimum 1 year away from abusive relationship; US citizens or permanent residents; enrolled in a degree or vocational program

WISP provides scholarships to women (including single mothers) who are domestic violence survivors rebuilding their lives through education. The program includes both financial support and mentoring resources.

State-Level Scholarships and Grants for Single Mothers

Nearly every US state has single-parent or non-traditional student programs:

California

• Cal Grant A & B – Award values up to full tuition at UC/CSU; available to California residents with financial need
• California Single Parent Scholarship Fund – $1,000-$4,000 grants for low-income single parents at California colleges

Texas

• TEXAS Grant – Covers full tuition at Texas public universities for eligible low-income students including single parents
• Lone Star Single Mother Scholarship Program – Available at many Texas community colleges

New York

• Excelsior Scholarship – Free tuition at SUNY and CUNY schools for families earning under $125,000/year
• DREAM Act Aid – Additional state aid for undocumented students in NY

Other States

Contact your state’s higher education agency or community college financial aid office – many have local single-parent scholarships that are underutilized because they’re not widely publicized.

College-Based Programs for Single Parent Students

Single Parent Scholarships at Universities

Many colleges have institutional scholarships and support programs specifically for single parents:

• University of Michigan – Single parent support through the Students with Children program
• Penn State – Guardian Scholars program for foster youth and single parents
• Community Colleges Nationwide – Many community colleges have dedicated single-parent support offices with emergency funds, childcare referrals, and scholarships

On-Campus Childcare Assistance

The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program provides federal grants to colleges to offer subsidized childcare for student parents. Check if your target college participates. This is often the most practically impactful support a single mother can receive.

Additional Resources for Single Mothers in College

• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) – Food assistance program for low-income pregnant women and mothers with young children
• Head Start/Early Head Start – Free early childhood education and childcare for qualifying families
• Section 8 Housing – Federal housing assistance that can free up income for education expenses
• Student Emergency Funds – Most colleges have emergency funds for students facing crises; apply through student affairs offices

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can single mothers get free college tuition?

In many cases, yes. Combining the Federal Pell Grant ($7,395/year), state grants, Soroptimist awards, and institutional scholarships, many single mothers find that their tuition is fully covered – especially at community colleges and state schools where tuition is already lower.

Q2: What GPA is required for single mother scholarships?

Requirements vary. The Patsy T. Mink Foundation requires only a 2.0 GPA. Soroptimist Live Your Dream focuses on need and circumstances rather than GPA. Most programs value your story, goals, and financial situation more than academic performance.

Q3: Do I need to be enrolled before applying for scholarships?

For most scholarships, yes – you need to be enrolled or accepted. However, Soroptimist accepts applications from women who plan to enroll. Pell Grants require enrollment but can be applied for before the semester starts.

Q4: Are there scholarships for online college for single mothers?

Yes – most of the scholarships listed above apply to both in-person and online programs as long as you’re enrolled at an accredited institution. Online degrees from WGU, ASU Online, and similar schools are fully eligible for these scholarships and federal aid.

Q5: How do I write a winning scholarship essay as a single mother?

Be specific and authentic. Scholarship committees respond to real stories of challenge and determination. Explain your specific circumstances, what you’ve overcome, your career goals, and how this education will positively impact your children’s future. Avoid vague statements – specific details and numbers (“I work 40 hours/week at two part-time jobs to support my two children”) make your story memorable.

Conclusion: You’ve Got This – And You’ve Got Support

Being a single mother in college is one of the hardest things a person can do – and the financial aid system recognizes that. From the Federal Pell Grant to the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award, the resources are there. The key is knowing where to look and applying consistently.

Your action plan:

1. File your FAFSA immediately at studentaid.gov
2. Apply for FSEOG through your college’s financial aid office
3. Apply for Soroptimist, Patsy T. Mink, and Jeannette Rankin scholarships
4. Research your state’s single-parent scholarship programs
5. Meet with your college’s financial aid office and ask specifically about single-parent programs

For more financial aid strategies, see our guides on Federal Pell Grant eligibility, international student scholarships, and student loan forgiveness programs if you need to manage existing debt while returning to school.