College grants for single moms are financial assistance given to eligible individuals to pursue their education. Generally, a single mother refers to a female parent without a spouse or partner. There are several reasons why an individual became a single mother. Some most common reasons are divorce, domestic violence, rape, abandonment, or the death of the other parent.
Based on the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau, over 11 million single parents are under the age of 18. Moreover, 80% of the data are categorized as single mothers. This means that almost 8.8 million single mothers are minors and not able to finish higher education. Within the data, millions of women are not able to finish their education because of pregnancy. This serves as the main factor why there are grants or scholarships for single mothers.
Being a single mother can be a disadvantage to other students when it comes to education. The childcare expenses are pricey as well as the educational fees. Also, the time and effort of a single mother will be divided into her baby and education once she studies.
On the other hand, education will be a great foundation for the future of your baby. Thus, single mother refers to both responsibilities and sacrifices.
Most of the college grants or scholarships are funded by the federal government, but there are also programs from non-profit organizations. Grants and scholarships are different but they have the same purpose, to help every single mother with their education.
Grants are based on eligibility factors such as income while scholarships are based on performance. Both of the programs commonly prioritize single parents who belong to the low-income community to help them sufficiently.
College grants and scholarships offered for single mothers are diverse. Here are some of the programs that a single mother can apply for.
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grant is the largest student assistance program in the United States. It provides financial assistance for low-income students and single mothers. The financial assistance can be used for the higher education of its beneficiaries. The said program is completely free and does not need to be repaid.
This program will have a huge contribution to the educational needs of single mothers.
Federal Work-Study Grant
This program assists its eligible beneficiaries with both their education and work. The said program prioritizes those students in need, single mothers are suitable for this.
As the program gives financial support for education, they also offer a part-time job to earn money. Federal Work-Study Grant will efficiently benefit single mothers for their education and financial stability.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
This program is similar to the Federal Pell Grant. The program provides financial assistance to those individuals who belong to the low-income community.
Single mothers can apply for this program as they need sufficient support.
The Eligibility Rules Of Grants
Most of the grants that are mentioned above mainly focus on low-income students. This is where single mothers fit in. However, it does not mean that you’re automatically qualified for the grant, there are requirements for income.
Moreover, there are specific colleges/universities and states that offer scholarships for single mothers.
Single Parent Scholarship Fund
This program offers financial assistance for single mothers and residents of Arkansas or Bowie County in Texas. The program is mainly applicable to beneficiaries that attend higher education.
Bernice Murray Scholarship
The program provides financial support for single parents and residents of Vermont who suffer from financial hardship. The assistance that will be given with this program can be used with the child care expenses.
BYU Marriott Single Parent
The program is applicable to single mothers who study at Marriott School at BYU. It provides financial assistance for its beneficiaries.
Ford Opportunity Program
This program gives financial support for the education of its beneficiaries. It only applies to single parents residing in Oregon or Siskiyou County in California. Although the said program is rare, it can fully support a large number of unmet needs for the college of its beneficiaries.
The requirements for grants and scholarships differ for each kind. Below are some of the common documents you need to prepare for the application process.
Federal Student Aid is financial assistance offered by the federal government to students to help them pay for their post-secondary education. The main purpose of federal student aid is to ensure that all students have equal access to higher education regardless of their financial background.
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is a form that students in the United States fill out to apply for financial aid for college or graduate school. The form is used to determine a student's eligibility for federal student aid, such as grants, loans, and work-study programs. The information provided on the FAFSA is also used by colleges and universities to determine a student's eligibility for institutional financial aid.
Online college grants are financial aid packages designed to help students pay for their online education. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be paid back, making them an excellent resource for students who may be struggling to finance their degree. These grants may come from various sources, such as the federal government, state agencies, private foundations, and educational institutions.
