Single mothers are known to have some of the toughest responsibilities in American society today. Adding the expenses of college tuition and the studying of a vocation-based curriculum to already significant responsibilities is simply not possible without financial aid for many single parents. Thankfully, grants and scholarships for single moms are available now.

As it is with all grant programs, the purpose is to help those who cannot afford the cost of a higher education get through school with less financial burden. Some or all of the costs of your education might be covered when you are awarded funds from one of the following grant programs. For example, the Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) helps women whose education pursuits were disrupted, re-enter school and obtain their degrees.

Candidates for this grant program are required to already be enrolled in an education program. Candidates must also have a maximum of two years remaining to reach their graduation date. This type of program is highly beneficial for single mothers who want to go back to school but otherwise could not due to financial limitations.

Additional grants and scholarships for single mothers are also available. Some of these programs are only available to a specific demographic of single-mother candidates. For example, the Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Scholarship is awarded to mothers with qualifying low income levels who also need help to pay for the costs of childcare when attending school. Five exceptional female candidates are awarded up to $5,000 through this program.

The Soroptimist Live Your Dreams Award program helps pay for college expenses for women who are the primary breadwinners in their homes. Low-income threshold criteria need to be met. Qualified candidates must also be enrolled in either a vocational or four-year schooling program. Applications for the Soroptimist Live Your Dreams Award program are accepted between August and mid-November every year.

Female domestic abuse survivors might be qualified to receive funds from the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP). Applications are accepted all year but additional requirements apply. For example, the program is purposed to help domestic abuse survivors regain their independence and self-sufficiency by obtaining adequate employment.

Qualified candidates must have been separated from their abusive partner for a minimum of one year. Qualified candidates must also be a minimum of seventeen years old, meet income criteria and pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. One reason the program requires applicants to have a minimum of one year separation from their abusive partners is to support the concept of improving their quality of life. Another reason is to guarantee the seriousness of the applicant’s educational pursuits.