Not so long ago, we discussed 13 verified scholarship awards for single moms, and today we will review grants for single moms, including the strategic steps to win these grants.
If you’re a single mother reading this, you already know that raising a child on your own while trying to earn a college degree or complete career training is no small task.
With the responsibilities of covering tuition bills, childcare costs, housing expenses, transportation, and other everyday living costs, many single mothers face daunting challenges that make higher education seem impossible.
If this sounds like your story, then I’m pleased to let you know that relief is somewhere around the corner. You don’t have to do it alone when there are grants specifically designed to alleviate such a burden.
There are real, legitimate grants for single moms that can cover everything from tuition and textbooks to childcare and housing. And these are literally free money because, unlike loans, grants do not need to be repaid. They’re designed to help people like you build a better future for themselves and their families.
Quick Tip: Before applying for any grant, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Most federal, state, and many institutional grants require a current FAFSA on file.
Top 7 Grants for Single Moms in the US.
This section covers the 7 best grants for single mothers in the United States for 2026. Whether you’re looking for college grants for single moms, grants for single mothers returning to school, or financial assistance for single moms to cover living expenses while you study, you’ll find actionable answers here.
1. Federal Pell Grant
Key Factors:
- Award amount: Up to $7,500 for the 2026–27 academic year
- Eligibility: Low-income undergraduate students; single mothers frequently qualify for the maximum
- Best for: Single moms pursuing their first associate’s or bachelor’s degree
- Deadline: June 30, 2027
- Provider: U.S. Department of Education
What Is the Federal Pell Grant?
The Federal Pell Grant stands as the largest and most widely used need‑based grant program in the U.S., with financial need primarily determining eligibility. Thousands of single‑parent students qualify each year.
Because the federal government classifies many single mothers as independent students for financial aid purposes, their own financial situation — not their parents’ income — largely determines their eligibility. This classification often increases their chances of receiving Pell Grant funding.
How Valuable Is The Federal Pell Grant?
The Pell Grant offers several important advantages:
- As free money, it generally does not require repayment.
- It can be used at thousands of eligible colleges and universities across the United States.
- It may be combined with other scholarships, work-study programs, and other grants.
- It can significantly reduce the amount you need to borrow through student loans.
Many colleges automatically use Pell Grant eligibility to determine whether you also qualify for additional institutional grants and tuition assistance.
Who Should Apply for Pell Grants?
This grant is particularly suitable for:
- Single mothers attending college for the first time.
- Mothers returning to complete unfinished degrees.
- Community college students.
- Students enrolled at eligible online colleges.
- Adult learners pursuing career advancement.
How to Apply
The application process is straightforward:
- Create your StudentAid.gov account.
- Complete the FAFSA for the upcoming academic year.
- Submit all requested financial information accurately.
- Review your FAFSA Submission Summary.
- Accept your financial aid package after receiving admission to your chosen school.
Many institutions distribute aid on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early can improve your access to campus-based assistance.
Selection Criteria
Eligibility is generally based on:
- Demonstrated financial need.
- Enrollment in an eligible program.
- Satisfactory academic progress.
- FAFSA information.
- Citizenship or eligible noncitizen status.
2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
At a Glance:
- Award amount: Up to $4,000 per year
- Eligibility: Pell Grant recipients with the greatest financial need
- Best for: Single moms already Pell-eligible who need additional funding
- Deadline: Varies by school — apply early
- Provider: Participating colleges and universities
What Is the FSEOG?
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) provides additional grant funding to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Unlike the Pell Grant, not every college participates in the program, and each participating institution receives a limited amount of funding each year.
Because funds are limited, many colleges award FSEOG on a first-come, first-served basis. Single mothers who complete the FAFSA early may have a stronger chance of receiving this additional assistance.
Why It’s Valuable
FSEOG can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to your financial aid package — all without repayment. So, for single moms already receiving a Pell Grant, FSEOG can cover additional expenses like textbooks, transportation, or technology.
Who Should Apply For FSEOG?
Single mothers who are eligible for Pell grants and have exceptional financial need should ask their financial aid office about FSEOG. Not every school offers it, so confirm with your school’s financial aid office.
How to Apply
You’re automatically considered for FSEOG when you file the FAFSA. However, because funds are limited, early filing is critical.
3. CCAMPIS — Child Care Access Means Parents in School
At a Glance:
- Award amount: Subsidised on-campus childcare
- Eligibility: Pell-eligible student parents with income below 225% of the federal poverty level
- Best for: Single moms who need affordable childcare while attending classes
- Deadline: Varies by campus
- Provider: U.S. Department of Education through participating colleges
What CCAMPIS Is:
The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program is an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education to help low-income student parents pay for childcare while pursuing higher education.
For many single mothers, childcare is one of the biggest obstacles to completing a degree. Even when tuition is covered through grants or scholarships, the cost of daycare can make attending classes difficult. CCAMPIS addresses this challenge by providing subsidised childcare services or childcare assistance through participating colleges.
How Valuable Is The CCAMPIS?
Childcare is one of the biggest barriers single mothers face when returning to school. CCAMPIS addresses this directly by making on-campus childcare affordable for mothers— often at a fraction of market rates. Some programs also offer additional support services.
Who Should Apply
The CCAMPIS program is reserved for single mothers who are eligible for Pell grants, have income below 225% of the federal poverty level, and are attending a participating college. Ask about CCAMPIS to be sure.
How to Apply
- Before you enrol, call your school and ask if they have active CCAMPIS funding
- If they do, ask for the CCAMPIS coordinator or student parent office
- Complete the school’s CCAMPIS application
- Provide proof of Pell eligibility and income
Selection Criteria
Priority is typically given to single undergraduate student parents. Some campuses also serve single graduate student parents and married/partnered student parents.
4. Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation Education Support Award
At a Glance:
- Award amount: Up to $5,000
- Eligibility: Low-income women ages 17+ with minor children
- Best for: Single mothers pursuing skills training, GED, associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degrees
- Deadline: August 1, 2026
- Provider: Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation
What It Is:
This program is named after the first woman of colour elected to Congress. The Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation provides Education Support Awards to low-income women with children who are pursuing education or training. The foundation’s mission is educational access, opportunity, and equity for low-income women, especially mothers.
Value of Patsy Takemoto Support Award:
This is one of the few grants for single mothers that covers a wide range of educational paths — from GED programs and skills training to associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees. The program offers up to a $5,000 award that can be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and other educational expenses.
Who Should Apply
Single mothers who are:
- U.S. women ages 17 or older
- Low-income with minor children
- Enrolled in or planning to enrol in: skills training, ESL, GED, technical/vocational, associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate programs
How to Apply
- Visit the Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation website
- Information on the 2026 application process is available on their Education Support Award page
- Submit your application by August 1, 2026
- Awardees are notified in late October/early November
Selection Criteria
Awardees are selected based on:
- Financial need
- Personal circumstance
- Educational path
- Vocational, occupational, service, activist, or civic goals
5. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award
At a Glance:
- Award amount: Up to $16,000
- Eligibility: Women who are the primary financial support for their families
- Best for: Single mothers who are pursuing higher education
- Application window: August 1 – November 15, 2026
- Provider: Soroptimist International
What This Grant Is:
The Live Your Dream Award offers one of the most generous grants for single moms in 2026. Determined to encourage women in higher education, Soroptimist International awards cash grants to women who provide the primary financial support for their families and are working to improve their education qualifications, valuable skills, and employment prospects. In 2026, many individual clubs awarded tens of thousands of dollars to women who deserve support, based on the selection criteria.
How Valuable Is the Soroptimist Award?
This award is designed specifically for women facing extraordinary obstacles in their academic pursuit — exactly the situation many single mothers find themselves in. The funds can be used for tuition, books, childcare, transportation, or any expense that helps you complete your education.
Who Should Apply
Single mothers who:
- Provide the primary financial support for their families
- Are enrolled in or accepted to an undergraduate or vocational program
- Are overcoming significant obstacles
- Have a clear educational and career goal
How to Apply
- Applications open August 1, 2026 and close November 15, 2026
- Visit the Soroptimist International website to find your local club
- Submit your application through your local club
- Local clubs select winners who may advance to regional and national levels
Selection Criteria
Selection is based on:
- Financial need
- Obstacles overcome
- Educational and career goals
- Commitment to improving your family’s future
6. Jeannette Rankin Foundation Scholar Grant
At a Glance:
- Award amount: Up to $2,500 annually, renewable for up to five years
- Eligibility: Women/nonbinary individuals ages 35+ working toward their first associate’s or bachelor’s degree
- Best for: Single mothers returning to school later in life
- Application cycle: Opens November 2026
- Provider: Jeannette Rankin Foundation
What It Is
Similar to the Patsy Takemoto Support, this award is inspired by the first U.S. Congresswoman; the Jeannette Rankin Foundation awards grants to women and nonbinary individuals who are at least 35 years old, working toward their first associate’s or bachelor’s degree, and demonstrating the need for financial support. So, this is one of the most generous grants for single mothers returning to school.
How Valuable Is The Jeannette Rankin Grant?
Many single mothers put their education on hold to raise children and only return to school in their 30s, 40s, or beyond. The Jeannette Rankin Foundation recognises this and provides renewable funding — up to $2,500 per year for up to five years, to support these returning moms.
Who Should Apply
Single mothers who:
- Identify as women or nonbinary
- Are age 35 or older
- Are working toward their first associate’s or bachelor’s degree
- Demonstrate financial need
- Are from any state and background
How to Apply
- The application cycle opens in November 2026
- Visit rankinfoundation.org to apply
- Submit your application and recommendation letters
- The previous cycle closed February 13, 2026
Selection Criteria
Selection is based on:
- Financial need
- Age (35+)
- First degree status
- Personal circumstances and goals
7. Raise the Nation Foundation Micro-Grants
At a Glance:
-
Award amount: Varies
- Eligibility: Single parent women pursuing higher education
- Best for: Single moms needing gap funding for textbooks, transportation, or other expenses
- Deadline: On a rolling basis
- Provider: Raise the Nation Foundation
What It Is
Raise the Nation’s mission is to provide economic support to single parent women who want to continue their education or repay student loans. This foundation does this because they believe that educated mothers not only gain financial freedom, which leads to stable family income and lower poverty risk, but also that kids whose mothers finished college tend to do better in school.
How Valuable Is Raise the Nation Grants?
While larger grants cover tuition and fees, micro-grants from Raise the Nation can fill the gaps left by other awards. These grants can help cover expenses that larger scholarships don’t always address — like textbooks, transportation, childcare, and emergency expenses. Sometimes it’s the small expenses that make the biggest difference.
Who Should Apply
Single parent women who are:
- Pursuing higher education
- Single parents supporting their families
- Committed to completing their education
How to Apply
- Visit the Raise the Nation Foundation website
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
- Complete the application and demonstrate your need
- Funding determines how awards are distributed
Selection Criteria
Selection is based on:
- Single parent status
- Financial need
- Educational commitment
- Demonstrated need for gap funding
Frequently Asked Questions
Can single mothers get free money for college?
Yes. Grants for single moms like the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, and private foundation grants provide free money that never needs to be repaid. Start by filing the FAFSA at studentaid.gov.
What is the easiest grant for single moms to receive?
The Federal Pell Grant is the most accessible — it’s available to all low-income undergraduate students who file the FAFSA. Single mothers with dependent children often qualify for the maximum award.
Are Pell Grants only for single mothers?
No. Pell Grants are available to all low-income undergraduate students. However, single mothers frequently qualify for the maximum amount because the FAFSA formula gives substantial weight to having dependents.
Can I receive more than one grant?
Yes. You can combine multiple grants. For example, you could receive a Pell Grant, FSEOG, CCAMPIS childcare assistance, and a private foundation grant simultaneously. Always apply for everything you qualify for.
Do grants need to be repaid?
No. Grants are “gift aid” — they do not need to be repaid. This is what makes them far superior to loans.
How do I apply for grants as a single mother?
- File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov — this is the gateway to federal and state grants
- Apply for private grants directly through their websites
- Ask your school about institutional grants and CCAMPIS
- Check with your state for state-specific grants for single parents
Are there grants for single mothers attending online colleges?
Yes. Most federal grants for single mothers — including the Pell Grant and FSEOG — apply to online colleges as long as the school is accredited and participates in federal financial aid programs. Private grants may also apply, but check each program’s specific requirements.
What if I’m not a U.S. citizen?
Eligibility for federal grants requires U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status. Some private grants for single mothers may have different requirements — check each program.
Returning to school or starting a career training program as a single mother takes courage. It takes sacrifice. And it takes financial support — support you absolutely deserve.
The 7 grants for single moms in this guide represent some of the best opportunities available in 2026. From the Federal Pell Grant to specialised foundation grants like the Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation and Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award, there’s funding out there waiting for you.
