Going back to school as a single mom is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. But it’s also one of the most powerful decisions you’d ever take. Scholarships for single moms don’t just change your life; they change your children’s lives, too.
I’m writing this as one who understands the huddle of raising a child alone as a single mom without the supportive hands of a partner. You’re already juggling parenting, work, and a million other things, which can take a toll on your mental health.
In fact, as a single mother, if you aspire to go back to school, going through confusing scholarship databases to choose the right option for you can be daunting. That’s why I’ve done the heavy lifting for you.
In this article, I have researched and pulled together 15 of the top ongoing scholarships for single mothers in the US. No fluffs. No exaggerations. Every single scholarship listed here has been verified against official sources.
Most of the scholarships are exclusively open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. However, I’ve included programs that international students studying in the U.S. may also qualify for—so if you’re an international single mom studying in America, pay close attention to those flagged entries.
13 Active Scholarships for Single Moms in 2026–2027
Scholarships for single mothers are financial aid awards designed to help women balancing parenting with higher education. They cover essential expenses like tuition, books, childcare, and transportation to help achieve career and vocational goals
1. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award
- Award: Up to $16,000
- Deadline: November 15, 2026
- International students: This award is open to women studying in the U.S. regardless of citizenship, though you’ll need to check with your local club.
This is probably the single largest award on this list; the Live Your Dream Award is designed specifically for women who are the primary financial support for their families, a criterion that a single mom fits. To get awarded, you apply through a local Soroptimist club, and winners can advance to regional and even international-level funding. The award money can be used for tuition, books, childcare, or any expenses related to your education.
Eligibility:
- Must be a woman who provides the primary financial support for their family
- Must be enrolled in vocational training or an undergraduate program.
How to apply: Visit soroptimist.org and find your local club to apply. Applications open August 1.
2. Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Support Award
- Award: Up to $5,000
- Deadline: August 1, 2026
- International students: Must be enrolled in a U.S. institution; citizenship is not explicitly required, but the program is U.S.-based.
The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Support Award offers five financial awards of up to $5,000 each to assist low-income women with children who are pursuing higher education or training. Established in 2003, the Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation honours the legacy of Congresswoman Mink by supporting educational access, opportunity, and equity for mothers.
Eligibility:
- Must be a woman, at least 17 years old
- Must be a mother with minor children
- Must be low-income: total annual family income less than $21,640 for a family of 2; $27,320 for a family of 3; $33,000 for a family of 4
- Must be enrolled in a progressive degree program (vocational, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, etc.)
How to apply: Visit patsyminkfoundation.org
3. Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant
- Award: Up to $2,500 annually, renewable for up to five years
- Deadline: Check website for 2026–2027 cycle
- International students: U.S. citizenship is typically required.
The Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant provides unrestricted, non-tuition financial support to low-income women and non-binary students aged 35 or older across the United States. Named in honour of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress, the fund helps non-traditional students complete their degrees and build better futures. Single mothers are eligible for this offer too.
Eligibility:
- Must be 35 or older
- Pursuing a technical, vocational, associate, or first bachelor’s degree at a nonprofit, accredited institution
- Low-income women
How to apply: Visit rankinfoundation.org
4. Pierson Ranger Educational Foundation Scholarship
- Award: Varies
- Deadline: June 30, 2026
- International students: Check directly with the foundation.
The Pierson Ranger Educational Foundation Scholarship is a public award for mothers who are dedicated to pursuing higher education. Founded in 2024, it specifically focuses on empowering single moms to reduce financial burdens and help them break through systemic barriers
- Eligibility: Single mothers pursuing a college degree.
How to apply: Visit piersonrangereducationalfoundation.com
5. Renewed Horizons Scholarship
- Award: $1,000 per semester
- Deadline: June 17, 2026
- International students: Not eligible
The Renewed Horizons Scholarship is a $1,000 award offered by the Zide Law Group to support single parents pursuing higher education. The scholarship features application cycles for both the Fall and Spring semesters. To qualify, applicants must be separated or divorced, have primary or shared custody of a child, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be enrolled in an accredited university.
Eligibility:
- Applicant Requirements: Must be a single parent (biological, step, or adoptive) with primary or shared custody.
- Academic Criteria: Must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in your most recently completed semester.
- Location: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in an accredited university or college within the United States.
How to apply: Complete the online application through the Zide Law Group Scholarship Page or submit via the OVCScholar Application Portal
6. Family First Scholarship
- Award: $1,500
- Deadline: July 8, 2026
- International students: Not eligible
The Family First Scholarship Fund provides financial aid to family members of fallen and disabled military veterans to help them achieve their higher education goals. The fund is designed specifically to support students who are eligible for the VA’s Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance program (Chapter 35). Single mothers can absolutely be eligible for the Family First Scholarship Fund, provided they meet the core military-related requirement
- Eligibility: Specifically created to support individuals who are eligible for the VA’s Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance program.
How to apply: Eligible students must apply online via the dedicated portal on the Family First Scholarship Fund Apply Page
If you’re pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, don’t miss our comprehensive list of 21 Best STEM Field Scholarships for 2026–2027 —many of these awards are also open to single parents
7. The Colwell Law Group Single Parent Scholarship
- Award: $1,000
- Deadline: Check the Colwell Law Group website for 2026 dates
- International students: Check directly with the provider; enrollment in a U.S. program is required.
The Colwell Law Group Single Parent Scholarship is an annual award created by the New York family law firm The Colwell Law Group, LLC to assist single-parent households navigating the financial challenges of higher education. The scholarship typically provides a one-time award of $1,000 to one selected winner.
Eligibility:
- Family Situation: Must be a single parent, currently going through a divorce, or the child of a single parent.
- Academic Level: High school senior, undergraduate student, graduate student, or law school student.
- Enrollment: Enrolled or preparing to enrol in an accredited institution within the United States.
- Academic Standing: Must maintain good academic standing with a solid cumulative GPA
How to apply: Visit colwell-law.org
8. ANSWER Scholarship
- Award: $2,750–$5,500 annually, renewable for up to four years
- Deadline: Rolling basis
- International students: Not Eligible
The ANSWER Scholarship is a non-profit organisation that awards college scholarships and mentorship space to mothers. Founded in 2006, the foundation has distributed over $1 million to help mothers, especially single moms, earn degree qualifications and improve their families’ economic futures
Eligibility:
- Age: Must be 25 years old or older at the deadline.
- Family: Must be the primary caregiver of at least one school-age child living in the household.
- Location: Must legally reside in select North Carolina counties or South Carolina counties.
- Education: Must be enrolled or accepted as a full-time, degree-seeking student at an accredited, non-profit institution in the Carolinas.
- Academics: Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
How to apply: Visit answerscholarship.org
9. Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF)
- Award: $400–$1,600, depending on credit hours
- Deadline: Fall 2026: August 1 – September 1
- International students: Requires Arkansas residency; check directly for citizenship requirements.
The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is a statewide nonprofit organisation dedicated to ending single-parent poverty by providing financial assistance and developmental support for higher education. Unlike many traditional scholarships, ASPSF funding is sent directly to students. This allows recipients to pay for essential, non-tuition needs like rent, child care, groceries, gas, and utilities.
Eligibility:
- Parental Status: Must be a single mother or father with custodial care of at least one child under the age of 18.
- Residency: Must live in the state of Arkansas or in Bowie County, Texas.
- Education Level: Must hold a high school diploma or GED and must not already possess a bachelor’s degree (unless pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching).
- Academic Standing: Enrolled in at least one 3-credit hour course and maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- Income Limit: Household income typically cannot exceed 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
How to apply: Visit aspsf.org/scholarships
10. Organic Formula Shop Single Parent Scholarship
- Award: $2,000
- Deadline: October 9
- International students: Check directly with the provider.
The Organic Formula Shop Single Parent Scholarship is a specialised funding initiative that is designed to alleviate the financial pressures of balancing parenthood and higher education for single parents. Both single mothers and single fathers who are actively raising children while attending school can apply
Eligibility:
- Parental Status: You must be a verified single parent who is the primary caregiver for your child while attending school.
- Education Level: You must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student or a graduate student.
- Location: You must be enrolled at an accredited college or university within the United States.
How to apply: Visit the Bold.org Single Parent Scholarships Category page
11. Stella Oaks Foundation Scholarship for Single Moms
- Award: Up to $3,000 per semester
- Deadline: Check website for upcoming dates
- International students: Check directly with the foundation.
The Stella H. Oaks Foundation Scholarship provides financial assistance to single mothers pursuing associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, or trade certificates. The target audience includes divorced, widowed, or never-married single mothers. To qualify for this scholarship, you must have primary custody of at least one minor child at home and demonstrate a financial need to complete your education.
- Eligibility: Single mothers pursuing higher education.
How to apply: Check the Stella H. Oaks Foundation Official Website.
12. Generation Hope Scholar Program
- Award: Up to $2,400 per year
- Deadline: Check website for upcoming dates
- International students: Check directly with the program.
Generation Hope created the Scholar Program to support teen parents who became parents or are expecting a child by age 19 as they pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. The program provides wraparound support, including mentoring, up to $2,400 in annual tuition assistance, emergency funds, and career readiness
Eligibility:
- Age/Parenting Status: Must have become a teen parent by age 19 and be 25 or younger at the time of application.
- Location & College: Must be attending or planning to attend a non-profit, accredited college in specific geographic areas.
- Enrollment: Must be taking a minimum of 6 credits per semester.
- Participation Requirements: Scholars must meet monthly with an assigned mentor, submit grades, and attend mandatory annual events.
How to apply: Visit generationhope.org
13. LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship
- Award: $1,000 award
- Deadline: Check website for upcoming dates
- International students: Open to international students.
The Holyoke Community College (HCC) Foundation in Massachusetts manages the LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship, a full-tuition financial award that supports single parents pursuing careers in business, banking, or finance.
Eligibility:
- Parental Status: Must be a single parent.
- Enrollment: Registered at Holyoke Community College for at least 9 credits per semester.
- Academic Major: Enrolled in a Business Administration, Banking, or Finance degree program.
- GPA: Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.35 or higher.
How to apply: Visit hcc.edu/scholarships.
Once you’ve secured funding, consider choosing a school that gives you more value for your money. Our guide to the Least Expensive Colleges in the US for 2026 can help you find quality education without breaking the bank.
A Few Quick Tips Before You Apply for Single Parents Scholarships
File your FAFSA first. The Federal Pell Grant gives up to $7,395 for 2026–27 and doesn’t need to be repaid. Many scholarships also require FAFSA submission, so get this done early.
Apply to multiple scholarships. Awards stack—you can receive federal grants, state aid, and private scholarships all at once.
Start early. The biggest awards cluster around February–March deadlines, so begin gathering documents in the fall.
Never pay to apply. A real scholarship will never charge you an application fee.
Tell your story. For most of these awards, your personal essay matters more than a perfect GPA. Be honest. Be specific. Let them see your determination
