15 Scholarships for College Students

About scholarships for moms

For parents, college can be a daunting task. At least one in five college students are parents. Of these student parents, more than 70 percent are women. Although there are many parents on college campuses, they still struggle to complete their degrees.

For single mothers in financial need especially, it can be extremely difficult to get an education. Just 28 percent of single moms graduate from college within 6 years of enrolling. Many women return to school later in life, which can also make it extremely difficult to finish their degree.

Because of the time and money that a college education requires, many single mothers choose to attend two-year institutions. 44 percent of all single mothers in college attend two-year institutions. Alternatively, only 19 percent attend public or private four-year colleges. For those who want to get an undergraduate degree, their child should not prevent the educational institutions that they choose to attend.

Some demographics of student mothers are more likely to raise a child without another person's support. 37 percent Black women and 27 percent of American Indian/Alaska Native women are raising a child without support from a spouse or partner while in college. When compared with other racial demographics, like Hispanic women and white women who raised their children without support only 19 and 17 percent of the time respectively, it becomes clear how motherhood affects some student groups more than others as they get an education.

For many nontraditional students, it can be difficult to be full time students while also excelling in other aspects of their lives. It is imperative to assist single parents and mothers who need help to complete a college degree.

Why are scholarships dedicated to moms so important?

Before the pandemic in 2020, nearly 70 percent of student parents were living in or near poverty. This makes it extremely difficult to get an education while worrying about providing for a child, often by themselves.

Mothers often bear the weight of childcare, but that does not mean that they should give up on their dreams of pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.

It is extremely important to support women in higher education, especially women who have a child to support. Because child care costs more than in-state tuition at public colleges in at least 30 states, college can seem impossible for mothers who have to provide for their children.

Financially, single mothers often struggle with paying their tuition while providing primary financial support for their children. Because of this, many low income women have to turn to student loans in order to fund their education. On average, single mothers who earn a bachelor’s degree have around $30,000 in student debt one year after they graduate—$4,800 more than women without children and nearly $4,300 more than all women students.

In order to help alleviate some of these costs, many single mothers work in addition to going to school and caring for children. 54 percent work 20 or more hours per week and 43 percent work 30 or more hours per week. For moms who work and take care of their kids, keeping up with academic work can be challenging. Because of this, it is imperative that mothers in college get the help that they need.

Student parents need financial assistance in order to graduate from college and take care of their children. While financial aid may help single parents and mothers to fund their education, parents attending college may need more financial help.

Through scholarships catered to mothers or women more generally, student parents may be able to achieve a college degree with little to no debt.

How to qualify for scholarships for moms

Must be a mother

In order to apply for the scholarships above, you must be a mother who is attending school. If you are a parent to a minor, you may qualify for scholarships for mothers. You can be a single mom—someone who provides primary financial support—or you can have a spouse or partner who helps to provide for your child as well.

Check eligibility requirements

Some scholarships will have additional requirements besides just being open to mothers. Some scholarships are specifically for single moms, some are for low-income students, and others are for parents pursuing a specific degree.

Be sure to check the specific requirements of each scholarship to ensure that you are eligible to apply.

Types of scholarships available for mothers

There are many different types of scholarships for moms in financial need. For low-income mothers, scholarships for people of color like the Wilma King Means Scholarship can be helpful. BIPOC and first-generation students may also qualify for specific scholarships that can help alleviate some of the costs of getting an education. Many minority groups have specific scholarships that can provide financial assistance.

There are also scholarships for single moms specifically, such as the Larry Darnell Green Scholarship. These scholarships are good because they have a very specific audience.

Because being a mom requires a lot of time and energy, there are also scholarships like the "Be Bold" No Essay Scholarship which require no essay, thus saving some time.

For moms returning to their education, there are also special scholarships that can help like the Patrick Stanley Memorial Scholarship.

Mothers can also apply for scholarships for women, although the applicant pool will be larger and it may be more difficult to win. Regardless of what types of college scholarships you’re searching for, you can find them on Bold.org.

How to find scholarships for mothers seeking a college degree

After creating your free Bold.org profile, you can begin looking for scholarships that you are eligible for. By going to the scholarship search, you can look specifically for scholarships for mothers or single mothers specifically.

There are also plenty of scholarships for women in the "Women" category of the scholarship page. For BIPOC and low-income mothers, you can also look in the "Diversity and Inclusion" category for some scholarships.

Make sure to check if you are an eligible applicant for each individual scholarship by checking the additional eligibility requirements. You can also find a list of scholarships specifically for moms above.

When to start applying for scholarships for moms

High school is a great time to start scouting and applying for college scholarships and looking for other financial aid opportunities to fund your college education. Many scholarships are available for high school students or exclusively for seniors, but don’t worry if you haven’t started your search yet. There are many scholarships for undergraduate students and those who are continuing their education. For older women and mothers who are in college already, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities for students enrolled in higher institutions for undergraduates and graduate students.

What to consider when applying for scholarships for moms

Not every scholarship is right for you, so Bold.org provides many types of scholarships for moms to choose from. The more scholarships you apply for, the more likely you are to win.

Winning a scholarship isn't a sure thing, since certain scholarships will have many applicants, but don't be discouraged. There are ways to improve your chances of winning scholarships for mothers. If you continue reading, you'll find our tips for winning scholarships that can help your odds of winning first-generation scholarships.

How to apply for scholarships for mothers

It only takes a few easy steps in order to begin applying for scholarships on Bold.org. Start by creating your free Bold.org profile. By clicking on any of the listed scholarships, you are able to create an account. From there, you can begin browsing hundreds of exclusive scholarships offered by Bold.org.

Once you've decided on the scholarships that are best for you, you can begin applying. The scholarship application processes are set up specifically to make applying as easy as possible. This way, you can apply for more scholarships and maximize your Bold.org account.

Tips for winning scholarships for moms

There are many applicants for scholarships on Bold.org, but that shouldn't stop you from applying. Scholarship winners use certain strategies to increase their chances of winning scholarships. Following a few of the easy tips below can help set your application apart from others so you can win the financial aid necessary to attend college.

Apply for as many scholarships as you can

Since you are not likely to win every scholarship you apply to, it is important to apply to a lot of scholarships. Whether you're pursuing an associate's degree, your first bachelor's degree, or even a doctoral degree, the more scholarships you apply to, the higher the chance you will win. Applying to lots of scholarships on Bold.org can help you increase your odds of accumulating scholarship money.

Apply for scholarships as early as possible

New scholarships are being posted on Bold.org consistently, giving you numerous opportunities for scholarships that are introduced and awarded within just a few months. Because of this, applying sooner will make more scholarships available to you during your search. Keeping this in mind, you can apply for many different scholarships without stressing about applications deadlines all at one time of the year.

Put effort into your essay submissions

There are essay prompts for many of the listed scholarships for mothers, so make sure that you don't underestimate the power of a well-written essay. Take time to plan what you want to write, and proofread your essay after finishing it to eliminate spelling and grammar errors. Each scholarship is slightly different, but if you stick to fundamental writing skills, you can make your essays stand out.

Apply to scholarships with more specific eligibility requirements

Scholarships with more eligibility requirements have fewer applicable students. With a more specific set of criteria, fewer students will apply, giving you a better chance at being selected for that specific scholarship. Keep an eye out for scholarships with several requirements that you meet in order to give yourself your best chance of earning a more specialized scholarship.

For example, finding scholarships exclusively open to certain ethnicities or genders will limit the competition and boost your chances of winning.

Make a strong Bold.org profile

Take the time to fill out your Bold.org profile, putting in specifics that will help show donors who you are. For scholarships that don't require essays, this is especially useful, because students with completed profiles give additional information about themselves that sometimes is not included in. Additionally, filling out your profile completely will give you more Bold Points, opening up more exclusive scholarships that you can apply to.

Frequently asked questions about scholarships for mothers

What is a scholarship for moms?

A scholarship for moms is a source of financial aid for a student who is a parent of minor children. If you are a mother or a single mother who would like to pursue a degree, you can apply for scholarships for mothers.

What is the best website to apply for scholarships?

Bold.org is an easy and accessible way to find and apply for scholarships. To apply, just create a profile on Bold.org. Once you do, you can apply for hundreds of scholarships with a few clicks.

Are scholarships taxable income?

Any scholarship money earned on Bold.org is sent directly to the college you are attending and therefore is not considered to be taxable income. If you are a high school student, Bold.org will hold your scholarship money in an account until enrollment.