For single parents, pursuing higher education can change their life and their children's—but it's not without cost. On the road to getting a better job, single parents will need to juggle parenting, schoolwork, and even part-time work.

Single-parent scholarships can help reduce some financial burdens of returning to college. As they already need to pay for school and child-related expenses, some extra cash for tuition can go a long way. With single-parent financial aid from federal grants, including the Pell Grant, and private scholarships like the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, this list includes some of the most relevant forms of financial support.

Bold.org's commitment to finding the best resources to help you finance your undergraduate degree means we provide scholarships for students of all backgrounds. Whether you're a first-time student attending college or returning, we want to connect you with the best financial support.

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Best Single Parent Scholarships

1. Scholarships for Single Mothers

These scholarships are specifically for women who are single parents. The struggles of motherhood and being a student can give anyone a headache. While financial aid may not pay for all of your tuition, single-mom scholarships can help reduce some of your financial stress.

2. Scholarships For First-Generation Students

A college education is especially exciting for first-generation students. If no one in your family has attended college before, you may be eligible for these grants. Single parents who don't have relatives who have gone to college may find it even more difficult to break into higher education, which is why these scholarships provide assistance.

3. Scholarships for Immigrants

Navigating a new country with your children is no easy feat. A college degree is often one of the fastest ways to achieve upward mobility after relocating. If you're a single parent who's emigrated to the United States, see if these scholarships can offer you support.

4. Scholarships for Returning Students

Students who have had to suspend their college education can get back into the groove of going to class with these college scholarships for returning students. With opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, anyone who's had to take a break from school can get a break from student loans with these scholarships.

5. Generations College Single Parent Scholarship

This scholarship covers up to $3,500 per semester in tuition fees for single parents. Applicants must attend Generations College and be Pell Grant eligible to apply. Single parents pursuing an associate's degree may be able to attend their classes for free with this scholarship. Generations College offers classes online or on campus in Chicago.

Need-Based Scholarships to Fund Your College Education

1. Need-Based Scholarships

These scholarships provide financial assistance to single parents who can demonstrate they have financial need. Filling out the FAFSA for need-based aid often does the heavy lifting when raising money to pursue higher education, but these need-based scholarships can help supplement your budget if the FAFSA doesn't provide you with enough.

2. Grants to Pay Off Student Loans

Similarly, single parents should use these grants to both pay off any existing student loan debt and avoid incurring more. If school is taking longer than you thought, or there have been unforeseen educational expenses, apply for these grants.

3. Pell Grant

The federal Pell Grant is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and have not yet earned a college degree. Single parents can apply by submitting the FAFSA to receive award amounts that can go up to $7,000.

Why College Scholarships Matter for Single Parents

Single parents are people living with at least one biological or adopted child who may have been divorced, separated, widowed, single, never married, or not living with a partner. The United States has among the highest rates of children living with a single parent. 23% of children under the age of 18 in the United States live with one parent and no other adults.

Supporting Single Parents Supports Families

Single parents are an important part of society who take on the burden of raising children and often working at the same time, contributing to both economic circulation and domestic life all on their own. This daunting task should be supported by the community, as with single parent scholarships.

Helping to fund the education of single parents also has an undeniable effect on their children. Parents who are under less financial stress are able to provide better care for their children. In addition, a college degree may help a single parent find a higher-paying job, which will mean higher-quality food and education for their child.

How Scholarships Provide Financial Assistance to Single Parents

If you are a parent who's part of this large percentage of families in the United States, you may be so focused on providing for your family that you are not thinking about getting a college education. However, a college education can allow single parents to access new careers and sometimes can help families get out of poverty.

If you are a single parent, it can be incredibly difficult to invest in a college education. Most college students leave college with large amounts of debt, so for single parents who are often the primary financial support in a family, it can be incredibly difficult to keep up with tuition payments while caring for their children.

Additionally, single parents may already be struggling financially. About 30% of single parents live in poverty, compared to just 6% of married couples. For single parents who wish to graduate from college, financial aid like scholarships, grants, and loans are crucial in order to bring down tuition prices and make college more affordable.

College scholarships and grants can significantly reduce the cost of an undergraduate education. As most single parents' income likely goes towards supporting themselves and their children, scholarships can help parents save up for college without taking away money from childcare and rent.

A college degree helps single parents move upwards in society without incurring further debt. This allows single mothers and fathers to allocate some of their attention to school after demands for childcare and other expenses have been met.

How to Pay for College as a Single Parent

When you are struggling to care for your child and keep up with schoolwork and work, it can seem difficult or even impossible for single parents to get an undergraduate or graduate degree. For single parents attending college, there are plenty of ways to keep up with tuition payments.

Most single parents will likely need a combination of these forms of aid to afford school:

Federal financial aid and grants
Private scholarships
School financial aid packages

1. Federal Financial Aid and Grants

By filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the FAFSA, you can gain access to student loans, grants, and scholarships that can help provide financial assistance. Once you fill out the FAFSA, your college will receive your information and will use it to figure out how much aid you may receive at that school.

2. Private Scholarships

While a lot of scholarships, grants, and some federal student loans require you to demonstrate financial need in order to receive money, there are options for single parents who need more financial aid. Although private loans are an option, they have to be repaid, and the interest rates can be difficult to keep up with. If you don't want to deal with repayment, private scholarships are a great way for college students to get financial assistance that doesn't have to be repaid.

While there are plenty of other places to find scholarships, including through local or state governments, private organizations like Bold.org can help you discover a variety of scholarships easily and quickly. For single parents who are incredibly busy, this can be extremely useful.

3. School Financial Aid Packages

Filling out the FAFSA may also automatically qualify you for some aid packages meant to support students. Whether you're attending a community college or in graduate school, your university likely has some financial aid services available. When applying for schools, research what kinds of aid they'll offer before you make your choice.

Some universities even offer scholarships specific to single parents, and, in some cases, these are full-tuition scholarships. An example of a full-tuition scholarship for single parents is Generations College's Single Parent Scholarship. This scholarship subsidizes the remaining cost of tuition after grants are applied, meaning most single parents will be able to receive an associate's degree free of charge.

How to Qualify for Scholarships for Single Parents

While some scholarships may require you to have a level of financial need or a minimum GPA, there are certain qualifications that a student must have in order to apply for single-parent scholarships. Applying for scholarship money can be a time commitment, so you want to make sure that you're eligible for all of the many scholarships you're applying for.

Raising One or More Children by Yourself

Single-parent scholarships are scholarships aimed toward people who are raising at least one child without the help of a partner. If you're divorced, a widower, or if another circumstance has caused you to raise your children alone, you should check out the scholarships above.

Meet Any Other Eligibility Requirements

Some single parent scholarships have additional requirements beyond just being a single parent or a child of single parents. Students could need to have a certain field of study, education level, or career goals in order to get financial assistance. Make sure you're checking all of the eligibility criteria for scholarships before you take the time to apply.

How to Apply for Single Parent Scholarships

1. Research and Prioritize Scholarships

Start by searching for scholarships specifically designed for single parents, as well as general scholarships that match your background, education goals, or field of study. Use online scholarship databases, community organizations, and your school’s financial aid office as resources. Make a list of scholarships with eligibility criteria, application requirements, and deadlines. Prioritize scholarships with higher award amounts and those that align well with your circumstances.

2. Gather Required Documents

Collect all necessary documents early, such as transcripts, proof of enrollment, financial statements, and identification. Many scholarships for single parents may also require documentation of your parenting status, household income, or a personal statement explaining your situation. Having these materials ready in advance will make the application process smoother and help you meet deadlines.

3. Write Strong, Personalized Essays

Many scholarships require an essay or personal statement. Take the opportunity to share your story, including the challenges and strengths of being a single parent pursuing education. Highlight your goals, perseverance, and how the scholarship will support your journey. Tailor each essay to the specific scholarship, addressing any prompts or criteria provided by the selection committee. Proofread your essays to ensure they are clear, genuine, and free of errors.

4. Apply and Follow Up

Submit your completed applications before the deadlines, keeping copies of all your submissions. Organize your application dates and set reminders to ensure nothing is missed. If appropriate, follow up with the scholarship providers to confirm receipt of your application. Continue to search for new opportunities and apply regularly, as many scholarships have rolling deadlines or open applications throughout the year.

Tips for Applying to Single Parent Scholarships

Look for Niche Scholarships: Many scholarships are specifically designed for single parents or non-traditional students. Search through scholarship databases, community organizations, and local resources that support single parents or adult learners. These niche scholarships often have less competition and may offer more tailored support.
Apply for Federal and State Aid: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible to determine eligibility for grants, work-study programs, and low-interest student loans. Many schools and states also use FAFSA information to award additional aid, which can significantly reduce education costs.
Consider Flexible Education Options: Explore programs that offer flexible schedules, online courses, or part-time enrollment. Many institutions provide support services for single parents, such as childcare, counseling, or academic advising, which can help balance education with parenting responsibilities.
Leverage Community Resources: Many nonprofit organizations, local governments, and community centers offer financial aid, grants, or scholarships for single parents. Additionally, some employers provide tuition assistance or scholarships for employees continuing their education.
Plan and Stay Organized: Create a calendar or spreadsheet to track scholarship deadlines, financial aid applications, and required documents. Staying organized helps ensure you meet all deadlines and submit complete applications, improving your chances of receiving financial support.
Budget and Explore Additional Assistance: Develop a budget that considers tuition, books, living expenses, and childcare costs. Look for programs that offer childcare assistance, food support, or housing aid to help alleviate financial pressure while attending school.

Additional Resources for Single Parents

1. Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund

This fund helps Arkansas residents raise children and attend school without a partner. While it's only available in the state of Arkansas, it's a valuable resource for any single parents who live here as it provides financial assistance and personal support for single parents transitioning to undergraduate students.

2. Generations College Single Parent Scholarship

If you're looking to pursue an associate's degree online, this scholarship might be of interest to you. Single parents who enroll in the associate degree program at Generations College are eligible for up to $3,500 per semester to help with tuition costs. In some cases, you may be able to attend for free, depending on the cost of your classes and school supplies.

3. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

The FSEOG provides students with between $100 and $4,000 per year to pay for tuition costs. While the range of award money is extremely wide, the grant is need-based, meaning the more money you need, the more you will get. Single parents can apply by submitting the FAFSA.

For more free college guides and financial assistance, check out the scholarship blog on Bold.org!

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