Trying to estimate college tuition and navigate financial aid can be stressful, especially if it’s been a while since you were last in college. Consider the following financial resources that can help you fund your education.
Grants for moms going back to school
Grants are financial gifts that don’t need to be paid back, so putting some effort into finding and applying for them might be well worth your time.
Here are a few options to get you started:
- Pell Grants: The Federal Pell Grant is a great source of financial assistance for single parents. Aid packages are calculated based on demonstrated need, and single parenthood is highly weighted, giving these individuals an advantage. You’ll need to submit the FAFSA form in order to qualify.
- Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: Similarly, the FSEOG is a federal grant awarded directly by participating colleges to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Because priority is given to students who receive Pell Grants, single parents with high financial need are strong candidates. You apply automatically when you submit the FAFSA, though funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
- State grants: Many states also offer their own education grants for at-need students and single parents. Students are encouraged to check their local state standards and regulations for regional opportunities for the best results.
Some state programs, such as California's CalGrant, take each applicant's family status into consideration. Washington state's Opportunity Pathways Program offers scholarships and grants to students based on financial need, and it is also tailored to applicants that study in state shortage areas such as math, science and healthcare.
- P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE): This program provides need-based grants of up to $4,000 for women whose education was interrupted and who are returning to school to gain skills for employment. It’s designed to help women support themselves and their families.
- Jeannette Rankin Foundation's National Scholar Grant: There are also specific school grants for single moms going back to school. This award supports single parents and is made for adult students over the age of 35 who demonstrate financial need and are pursuing a technical or vocational education, an associate’s degree, or a first bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. institution.
Scholarships for moms going back to school
Finding support from private foundations can be another great way to help finance your education. These organizations typically base their awards not only on demonstrated need but also on achievement-oriented conditions. There are several private foundations that work primarily with women or single moms specifically.
Here's a starter list:
- Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards: This scholarship assists women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.
- American Association of University Women: AAUW generally awards scholarships to women pursuing careers in nontraditional fields. Online students nationwide may explore options through this organization, with regional chapters offering different scholarships.
- Helping Hands for Single Moms: There are also specific college scholarships for single moms going back to school. This scholarship is specifically for college students who are low-income single mothers and live in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area.
- Due to high demand for licensed social workers, some states, such as California, offer financial aid programs for those seeking degrees and careers in this field. Current programs in California include the Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Scholarship Program and LA County Department of Mental Health Stipend.
Ready to turn you plan into a degree?
This is just a small sampling of the many private scholarships available for moms going back to school. Be sure to scout out local opportunities as well. As with any large investment, it’s wise to do plenty of research and explore all kinds of funding options.
Talk with an enrollment coach at (800) 746-0082 about your goals, transfer credits, program options, and financial-aid next steps.
And as you plan your next step, check out our other resources for moms returning to school:
