Top Scholarships for Single Moms with Upcoming Deadlines in October 2026

About Scholarships for Single Moms

Being a single mother is no easy task, especially if you are trying to earn your college degree. Caring for children, attending 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.

Scholarships for single moms are important resources for single mothers to manage their higher education costs while supporting their children. Here at Bold.org, as an educational resource platform, we have many scholarships and grants specifically designed to help single moms pay for college!

Create a free profile today to begin applying for scholarships for moms!

The Importance of Scholarships for Single Moms Attending College

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 $30,500 per year in the 2019-2020 school 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.

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, those who demonstrate financial need, and those who need a little extra support to pursue 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!

Why Are Financial Aid Efforts Essential for Single Moms?

The significance of financial aid is highlighted by the fact that a considerable percentage of single moms in college are low-income students, and a significant number do not complete their degree within six years. Programs that offer targeted support and financial aid to single moms are essential to help them overcome these barriers.

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 who attend community college, 21% are single moms.

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 finance your journey in higher education further.

Types of Scholarships Available for Single Moms

There are many different scholarships available for single parents, including essay-based scholarships and no-essay scholarships for both high school and college students. Many scholarships are specifically for single mothers, but some scholarships are open to any single parent or only to single fathers.

Apply for scholarships for women to help reduce college costs!

How to Find Scholarships for Single Moms

To find scholarships for single mothers, go to Bold.org and utilize the filter feature. You can browse scholarships by category, and going to the "family" category will show you all scholarships available to single mothers. You can even bookmark scholarships you're interested in so you can go back to them later and apply.

When to Start Applying for Scholarships

When it comes to securing financial aid for your college degree, it's never too early to start. You can begin applying for scholarships as early as high school so that you can minimize your need for student loans. Many students begin applying for scholarships as high school seniors, but applying earlier will give you a head start on tackling your college costs.

However, don't worry if you're already in college and just starting to apply. Many scholarships are geared towards students pursuing college degrees or even graduate students, so you have plenty of time to apply.

What to Consider When Applying for Scholarships for Single Moms

Applying for financial aid and education grants is an important step for your college education. When applying, keep in mind best practices for increasing your chances of winning, such as having a detailed profile, earning as many bold points as possible, and writing impressive essays. Read on for our exclusive tips on winning!

How to Apply for Single Mom Scholarships

Applying for scholarships typically requires an essay submission, but no-essay scholarships are even simpler, often just requiring a few clicks to apply. Each scholarship will have relevant instructions or essay prompts in the description, making the application process simple.

Tips for Winning Scholarships for Single Moms

Applying for scholarships for single mothers can feel stressful. With so many single moms pursuing degrees and looking for financial aid, it can feel impossible to distinguish yourself. At Bold.org, we're here to help! Check out the tips below to maximize your chances of winning a scholarship.

Apply for Scholarships Early and Often

Applying for scholarships as early as possible not only gives you flexibility in case you're having difficulty submitting your application, but it can also make your application stand out. Applying for more scholarships can also boost your chances of winning by giving you more opportunities.

Put Time, Effort, and Detail into All of Your Scholarship Essays

Many scholarships for single moms require essays as part of the application, so you need to be sure to spend time crafting a quality essay. Make sure your essays are detailed, grammatically correct, focused on the prompt, and personal so that you can make an impression on the donor.

Find the Best-Fitting Scholarship for Single Moms

In order to have the best chance of winning scholarships, seek out opportunities that have limited eligibility pools, such as scholarships for single mothers in a certain sector, such as a business-related field, or single moms pursuing a specific degree.

Additional Resources for Single Moms

Helping Hands for Single Moms

This program is designed for low-income single mothers pursuing a college degree, offering varying award amounts. It's available for those who are legally single and not living with a partner, carrying at least a 9-credit-per-semester course load, with at least one child under the age of 11.

The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation

Annually, this foundation provides five scholarships to low-income women who are mothers with minor children pursuing an associate's, bachelor's, or vocational degree or certificate.

P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education

This grant is aimed at women whose education was interrupted and who are returning to school to complete a degree or certification. It's available for citizens of the USA or Canada studying in those countries.

For more resources for single mothers, financial aid information, and college application deadlines, check out our Scholarship Blog!