While pursuing additional education or starting a business can be a balancing act for single moms, it’s also one of the best things you can do for your family. Are you ready to take your career or ambitions to the next level? There are many organizations dedicated to helping you do just that—in the form of scholarships and grants! After wading through hundreds of available opportunities, we’ve compiled the top grants and scholarships for single moms.
The Pell Grant
When applying for scholarships, the best place to start is with the federal financial aid available to all eligible residents of the United States. The federal government offers more than just loans. It also offers the Pell Grant, which doesn’t need to be paid back.
The Pell Grant is based on financial need. The amount given to each recipient varies based on each individual’s situation, averaging about $4,000. The maximum amount awarded is around $6,900. Usually, the Pell Grant only applies to undergraduate programs, although you can also receive it for a post-baccalaureate teaching certificate. There is no age limit on the Pell Grant, so you can use it whether you’re a traditional college student, an older student, or you’re returning to school.
In order to apply for a Pell Grant, you will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In fact, you may need to fill out the FAFSA to apply for student loans and private scholarships as well, so this is a good first step whether you qualify for a Pell Grant or not. You can find the required forms on the FAFSA website.
ConnectHER Film Festival
If you’re a high school or undergraduate student under the age of 25, this contest may appeal to you! Rather than requiring an essay, as most scholarships do, this contest accepts submissions of 3 to 6 minute films. The films must highlight solutions for issues that women face every day, including global educational inequality, unrealistic beauty standards, and gender-based violence. There are 13 prize categories, with awards up to $5,000. You can submit your film here between July 1 and October 1, 2025.
Amber Grant
According to the American Express 2019 State of Women Owned Businesses Report, 42% of businesses in the U.S. are women-owned, and this percentage is increasing every year! Do you dream of opening your own business? Amber Grants for Women could be the ticket to pursuing your dream!
Each month, WomensNet offers a $10,000 Amber Grant to one entrepreneurial woman. They also offer an annual Amber Grant of $25,000. Applying for these grants are simple— just fill out their online form to share your business idea and explain how you would use the grant. There is also a $15 application fee.
Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award is for women who are the primary providers for their families. Generally, this award is given to women who have experienced and overcome difficulties in life, such as addiction, the death of a close family member, or mental health challenges.
Winners may use the money from this grant toward undergraduate degrees or vocational training programs; however, the award does not need to be used toward tuition. It can be applied to associated costs of education such as childcare, fees, or books. If you’d like to apply for this award, you can visit the Soroptimist website. Applications are accepted every calendar year between August 1 and November 15.
Kickass Single Mom Stimulus Grant
This grant can be used for anything, and the application process only takes a few minutes! Just fill out the online form and hit “enter.” The only qualification is that the applicant must be a single mother. Every week, a different applicant is chosen. The award is for $500.
Bernal-Mora & Nickolaou Annual Single Parent Scholarship
Single mothers and single fathers who are enrolled in accredited post-secondary education can apply for this scholarship. Both college and trade school qualify! The application requires a 500-1,000 word essay focusing on how being a single parent has helped to shape your life goals. The deadline is July 31st, and the scholarship is for $1,000.
Patsy Mink Foundation
This scholarship is available to low-income single mothers with dependent children who are enrolled in a postsecondary program at either a college/university or trade school. All levels of education are allowed as long as it is the first degree you are earning at that level.
The scholarship is worth $5,000 and the application cycle for each school year lasts from the beginning of May to the end of July.
WIFLE Scholarship Program
The Women In Federal Law Enforcement scholarship is a great scholarship for moms with a history of community involvement. WIFLE offers scholarships to women pursuing a four-year or graduate degree in either law enforcement or a related field.
The application requires a 500-word essay about the applicant’s involvement in a community project. There is no fixed monetary amount for this scholarship. You can learn more about the WIFLE scholarship and apply here. The deadline for applying is May 1, 2025.
Alice T. Schafer Mathematics Prize
This contest is just one of many offered by the Association for Women in Mathematics. To qualify for the $1000 award, you must be an undergraduate excelling in math. To start the application process, nominate yourself (or ask someone else to nominate you) by filling out a form on the AWM website. The nomination window is from August 1 to September 15.
You can also apply for these other AWM contests:
$1,200 prize for outstanding research in mathematics by an undergraduate student Biographical essay contest
American Association of University Women Career Development Grant
For women who hold a bachelor’s degree earned before June 2015 and plan to pivot into or reenter the workforce in a STEM or social sciences career, the AAUW Career Development Grant can make a huge impact.
This grant provides $2,000 to $20,000 to women seeking career advancement and can be used for tuition toward graduate degrees, specialized training, and certifications as well as the associated books, fees, transport, and child care costs. Applications are taken from August 1 to November 15 every year.
P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education
This grant, worth up to $3000, is for women whose education was interrupted but now wish to complete their education to gain better employment.
Eligible women have completed 18 months of a certificate or degree program in which they are currently enrolled and must also have at least 24 months of time as a non-student since becoming an adult.
To apply, you can click the “request more information” link on the “eligibility” page of P.E.O website.
Time to take your next step!
Being a single mom doesn’t mean putting your goals on hold. In fact, taking the time to pursue your dreams may be the best decision you’ll ever make for your family, and it’s an incredible example of hard work and strength for your children. We hope this list of grants and scholarships for moms will empower you to chase those dreams and become the woman—and mother—you want to be!