Four Scholarships for Single Moms Seeking a College Degree
Being a single mother is no easy task, especially if you are trying to earn your college degree. Caring for your child, attending to your school schedule, trying to figure out how to pay for college, and taking care of yourself is a lot for anyone to take on. Luckily, Bold.org has scholarships specifically designed to help single moms pay for college!
Jump ahead to the scholarship list!The Importance of Scholarships for Single Moms
The exorbitant cost of college tuition has made it practically impossible to pay for college out of pocket. Because of deep financial need and strain, many students take out loans, borrowing an average of $11,836 per year. Over four years, this kind of debt can really add up when pursuing your bachelor's degree. Paying back student loans is even more difficult for single moms in the US, who typically owe 2.7x more than female students without children.
Thankfully, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities available to help make college more affordable. In fact, approximately $24 billion worth of scholarships are made available to students each year. That’s enough to give every full-time enrolled student almost $10,000! That’s why it is so important to take advantage of scholarship money because it almost erases financial need for students across the country.
At Bold.org, we’re committed to helping students pay for college. In our assortment of scholarships for single moms, we hope to support hard-working moms who demonstrate financial need in pursuing their degrees to help them create a better future for themselves and their children. There is no limit to the number of scholarships you can win, so make sure to apply early and often because every little bit matters when it comes to financial aid!
Want to find college scholarships for single moms? Check out our exclusive list of 4 scholarships for single mothers below!
Single Moms Scholarship List
- Amount: $2,000
- Eligibility: All mothers
- Application Deadline: August 9th, 2021
- Winners Announced: September 9th, 2021
- Description: The Little Bundle Mother’s Day Scholarship aims to recognize all mothers while helping to ease the financial burden of tuition for one particular mother. To apply, write an essay detailing the challenges you have faced as a mother and how this scholarship will positively impact your life.
- Amount: $2,000
- Eligibility: All undergraduate students
- Application Deadline: June 30th, 2021
- Winners Announced: July 30th, 2021
- Description: The Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship is designed for single mothers or the children of single mothers, recognizing the sometimes impossible demands of single parenthood. To apply, write an essay detailing your experience as a single mother.
- Amount: $1,500
- Eligibility: All undergraduate and graduate students
- Application Deadline: July 31st, 2021
- Winners Announced: August 31st, 2021
- Description: The Organic Formula Shop Single Parent Scholarship seeks to support a student who is a single parent looking to provide for their child through their college education. To apply, write an essay describing your experience as a single parent and how this scholarship will help you reach your goals.
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: Any high school student
- Application Deadline: June 30th, 2021
- Winners Announced: July 30th, 2021
- Description: The Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship is designed for single mothers or the children of single mothers, recognizing the sometimes impossible demands of single parenthood. To apply, write an essay detailing your experience as a single mother.
Why Financial Aid Efforts are Essential for Single Moms
Approximately 22% of all undergraduates are parents, equivalent to about 3.8 million students attending college while also having to provide financial support to their dependent children. Of those 3.8 million students, 70%, or roughly 2.7 million are mothers, including 1.7 million single moms. Community colleges are the most popular institutions among single-parent students, with 42% of single parents attending community college. Additionally, of the women that attend community college, 21% are single moms.
Unfortunately, only 28% of single moms received their undergraduate degree or certificate within six years. The main culprit? Financial stress. Approximately 43% of single-mom students work 30 or more hours per week to help pay for college. These mothers must also find suitable childcare, many settling on daycare, which costs anywhere from $4,000 to $13,000 annually. It’s no wonder then that more than 60% of single moms in college live at or below the federal poverty level. Simply put, they need more help.
As this article has pointed out, scholarships are a valuable resource for anyone trying to pay for college. However, scholarships alone aren’t likely to be enough. Federal student aid and loan programs are the next best thing. Approximately 66% of students apply for the Federal Application for Student Financial Aid, or FAFSA. The Federal Pell Grant is the largest package when it comes to federal grants, with an average award of $4,000. The Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPSP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are great options to help further finance your journey in higher education.
Have questions? Send us an email at contact@bold.org.