Raising children can be challenging, particularly for people parenting alone. Single parents shoulder dual responsibilities, assuming the roles of both mother and father, while simultaneously pursuing employment to sustain their family. Already burdened with twice the workload, single parents aspiring to pursue higher education face additional demands compared to the average college student. Single parents must juggle academic requirements and college expenses. Obtaining at least a bachelor’s degree serves as a catalyst for improved financial prospects, enabling a more comfortable lifestyle for the family. Hence, it becomes crucial for single parents to secure funding through single parent scholarship application.
Given the financial implications associated with supporting a family and pursuing higher education, it is necessary for single-parent students to secure financial assistance. You could even opt for a philanthropist’s money help.
The majority of single-parent college scholarships and grants are inclusive of both genders, ensuring equitable access for both single mothers and single fathers to finance their educational pursuits.
Single parent scholarship application
Here is a compilation of scholarship opportunities specifically designed for single parents.
1. ANSWER Scholarship Endowment
Application
Amount: $4,000
The ANSWER Scholarship Endowment offers monetary assistance and support to adult women aged 25 and above, who are responsible for raising school-age children (grades Pre-Kindergarten -12), and are aiming to pursue a four-year undergraduate degree in their preferred field of study (with a minimum award amount of $4,000), a two-year nursing degree (with a minimum award amount of $2,000), or a two-year degree in CPCC’s Health Careers Program:(minimum award of $2,000).
To be considered for this single parent scholarship application, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be “nontraditional” female students who are 25 years of age or older at the time of the application deadline.
- Primary Caregiver: Applicants must serve as the primary caregiver for at least one school-age child, ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade. This includes children who are natural-born, legally adopted, or for whom legal guardianship has been granted. The children must reside in the same household as the applicant.
- Citizenship and Residency: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, including foreign-born U.S. citizens, and legal residents of specific counties. The eligible counties are Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Stanly, or Union in North Carolina, as well as Lancaster or York in South Carolina.
- Enrollment and Degree Program: Applicants must be enrolled or accepted as full-time, degree-seeking students at an accredited institution located in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Stanly, or Union counties in North Carolina, or Lancaster or York counties in South Carolina.
- They must be pursuing a first-time bachelor’s degree in any subject, a two-year nursing degree, a two-year degree in CPCC’s Health Careers Program, or Information Technology. Individuals who have already earned a 4-year degree are not eligible to apply.
Additionally, scholarship recipients cannot receive funding if they are attending a for-profit school.
2. Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund
Amount: Varies
The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) serves the objective of offering additional financial aid to single parents residing in Arkansas, who are actively engaged in educational pursuits aimed at enhancing their income-generating capabilities. The use of the scholarship funds is subject to the discretion of each scholarship provider, with specific guidelines provided.
Eligibility criteria:
- You must be a resident in either Arkansas or Bowie County, TX, and must meet the specific criteria defining a “single parent” across all three categories.
- Marital status. the applicant must be single (never married, widowed, divorced, or legally separated), or if married, they must be living apart, and their divorce must be finalized before the scholarship is awarded.
- Parenting status. The applicant must fulfill the role of the custodial parent or guardian, possessing physical custody of at least one dependent child for majority of the time. A dependent child is defined as an individual who is either 18 years old or younger, older than 18 but still enrolled in high school, or a severely disabled adult who resides with and relies on the applicant for support.
- Living status. The applicant must either be the sole adult residing in the household with the child(ren), live with parents or relatives, or share the residence with a roommate who is not their partner, significant other, or co-parent.
- The applicant must be a legal resident of the United States or hold DACA status.
- They must apply within the county where they currently reside, possess a high school diploma or GED, and not have previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 2.0, and your household income generally should not exceed 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- The applicant must have either completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or be in the process of doing so (excluding DACA students or individuals enrolled in an approved short-term training program).
- They should be attending or planning to attend an ASPSF approved educational institution or training program and pursuing a degree or certification that leads to gainful employment with wages sufficient to support their family.
3. ATSSA Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program
Amount: $10,000
The ATSS Foundation administers scholarships to support individuals who have lost a loved one or have a family member permanently disabled as a result of their work in the roadway industry. The objective is to provide financial aid until the number of fatalities in work zones is effectively reduced. It is our ultimate aspiration to reach a point where no scholarships need to be awarded due to the absence of fatalities. The Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program offers monetary assistance for pursuing post-high school education to dependents (including children and spouses) of those working in roadway construction zones. Through our assistance, we strive to ensure the uninterrupted pursuit of their academic goals.
To qualify for the Roadway Worker Memorial single parent scholarship application, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- You must be dependents of roadway workers who have suffered either fatal injuries or permanent disabilities during construction or maintenance activities within the work zone, encompassing mobile operations and the implementation of roadside safety features.
- Spouses of deceased workers and parents with custody or legal guardianship of surviving children are also eligible.
- Candidates showing a significant dedication to volunteer work may be eligible for an additional $1,000 Chuck Bailey Memorial Scholarship.
4. Beatrice F. Kroesche Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $8,000
The Beatrice F. Kroesche Memorial Scholarship is specifically designed for single parents who are currently enrolled in either the College of Education or the Department of English at the University of Utah. To be eligible, the recipient must exhibit satisfactory academic progress within their chosen field of study, enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours, and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. While the scholarship is primarily intended for current students, it may also be awarded to incoming freshmen, provided that they must have received acceptance into the relevant department and must meet the minimum required GPA based on their high school credentials.
5. Bernice Murray Scholarship
Amount: $4,000
To qualify for the Bernice Murray single parent scholarship application, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a single parent with primary custody of at least one child 12 years of age or younger.
- Be pursuing an undergraduate degree, be enrolled at least part-time, exhibit financial need, and
- Attend an accredited institution approved for federal Title IV funding.
The selection process for this scholarship will primarily consider financial need, a recommendation letter, and a personal essay.
VSAC (Vermont Student Assistance Corporation) supports students of various age groups in their efforts to save, plan, and finance their college education and career training. As an organization, VSAC manages over 120 scholarships that are accessible to residents of Vermont. We strongly encourage you to consider applying for these single parent scholarships. One such scholarship is the Carol Hurley Scholarship, which was created by the friends, family, and colleagues of Carol Hurley, a dedicated VSAC outreach counselor who played a vital role in assisting first-generation college-bound students with their college preparation endeavors.
6. Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
The Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship, administered by the Rhode Island Foundation, aims to support low-income single parents who are residents of Rhode Island. Priority consideration is given to parents who are currently or have previously received state aid, as well as those who have a history of incarceration.
7. BYU Marriott School Single Parent Scholarships
Amount: Varies
BYU Marriott School offers a range of scholarships generously contributed by the Spouse Association of the school’s National Advisory Council, dedicated to assisting single-parent graduate students at BYU Marriott with their educational expenses. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
- The applicant must be a single parent (either a mother or a father) with custody of a dependent child(ren).
- The applicant must receive official admission into one of the graduate programs offered at BYU Marriott.
It is necessary for you to maintain satisfactory academic performance throughout your enrollment and undergo annual evaluations. However, if a student chooses to marry, they will no longer meet the eligibility criteria for the scholarship.
8. Capture the Dream, Inc. Single Parent Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
The objective of this single parent scholarship application fund is to address a significant barrier that hinders single parents and minority students from pursuing higher education: the exorbitant cost of tuition.
Capture the Dream, Inc. firmly believes that when students are afforded the opportunity to attend college, our society flourishes. They strive to empower promising students by equipping them with the necessary resources to pursue higher education, thereby cultivating the future leaders of tomorrow.
The objective of the Capture the Dream, Inc. Single Parent Scholarship is to address a prominent barrier that hinders the participation of single parents and minority students in college education: the increasingly high tuition expenses.
9. Downer-Bennett Scholarship
Amount: Varies
The Downer-Bennett scholarship is specifically intended for single-parent students who are enrolled at the University of New Mexico main campus. To qualify, eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
- You must be continuing undergraduate students.
- Erned a cumulative total of at least 12 UNM Main campus credits by the conclusion of the fall semester.
- Possess a highly competitive cumulative UNM GPA, and
- Maintain enrollment in/earn a minimum of 12 credits each semester at the UNM Main campus for the upcoming academic year.
The University of New Mexico oversees a wide range of endowed scholarships that offer support to undergraduate students at the Main campus on an annual basis. These scholarships aim to recognize, motivate, and aid students in their pursuit of academic excellence and leadership positions.
10. Ellen M. Cherry-Delawder Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Financial Aid services are offered at Howard Community College. They take immense pride in delivering substantial value for your educational investment and are committed to assisting you in every possible way to make college education accessible.
The primary goal is to support you in realizing your aspirations, and this journey begins by helping you explore various avenues to finance your college education. The Ellen M. Cherry-Delawder Memorial Scholarship is designated for a student enrolled in a business-related program of study. Priority consideration will be given to female students who have dependent children. The Financial Aid Scholarship Committee will be responsible for selecting the recipient. You need a high school diploma, GED, or the international equivalent to be eligible for this single parent scholarship application.
11. Kathleen McVey Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Varies
The Kathleen McVey Memorial Scholarship is available through the College of the Redwoods for a dedicated college student enrolled in the LVN or RN program. To be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must fulfill the following criteria: be a continuing college student, demonstrate financial need, be a high school graduate from either Humboldt County or Del Norte County (with preference given to graduates from Fortuna High School), and be a single parent (with preference given to Fortuna High School graduates), be a single parent (with preference given to those with younger children who are pursuing a long-term career in nursing), and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
12. LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship
Amount: Varies
The LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship is specifically designed for single parents who aspire to pursue a career in business, banking, or finance. Eligibility requirements include enrollment in a business administration or banking program, single parent status, registration for a minimum of nine credits, and maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.35.
13. Park Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Varies
The Park Foundation Scholarship aims to support two individuals, one male, and one female. Eligible recipients include single females who are head-of-household students with dependents, single males who are head of household with dependents, or Vietnam veterans who no longer have access to educational benefits and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. Lastly, the student must be a custodial parent and demonstrate financial need.
14. Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Award
Amount: up to $16,000
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards, previously referred to as the Women’s Opportunity Awards, aids women who play a vital role as the primary providers of financial support for their families. This award aims to equip these women with the necessary resources to enhance their education, skills, and employment opportunities. Eligible applicants for this single parent scholarship application must be:
- Females who assume the primary financial responsibility for both themselves and their dependents.
- Applicant must not have previously received a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Award.
- They must not hold a graduate degree, be a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas, or an immediate family member of either.
The Live Your Dream Awards offers 3 different cash award levels. Eligible applicants can submit their applications between August 1 and November 15. Ultimately, a Live Your Dream Awards finalist has the potential to receive up to $16,000 in funding. This financial support can be used to cover tuition expenses, purchase books, arrange transportation, or secure reliable childcare, allowing the recipient to focus on pursuing their dreams without undue financial stress.
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