How to Pay for College as a Single Parent: Grants, Scholarships & Tips
Do you know that scholarships can help single parent students get financial assistance for college? Scholarships are a significant financial aid that awards low-cost or free money for college degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and other educational opportunities for single parents who face specific struggles in achieving educational goals. Federal student aid, college scholarships, and single parent scholarships all are capable of assisting single parent families with some of the heavier costs of higher education. That is why these financial grants and aid become such great ways of supporting and edifying single parents. Help your family gain access to financial aid in the pursuit of a college degree by taking a look at our online guide on how to pay for college as a single parent.
Qualification Standards
Need and Qualification Standards for Single Parent Scholarships vary for different Scholarship Funds and Programs. In general, Single Parent Scholarships are designated for those who are single parents and have at least one dependent child. Most of the Scholarship programs also require proof of financial need to avail of the single parent aid. Need and Qualification Standards also demand that the Scholarship applicants must be a permanent legal resident or a U.S. citizen; while international student Scholarships are also available, non-citizen applicants are not normally eligible for U.S. based Grants and financial aid. Other eligibility aspects that Need and Qualification Standards consider include marital status, age, the number of dependent children, and the specific programs and majors to which the single parent student is applying. The scholarships are available to a vast range of single parent students – it can range from high school seniors who are about to enter the college programs, to already enrolled undergraduate college students and even postgraduate and graduate college students.
Types of Scholarships
There are a few different types of scholarships for single parents such as single mom scholarships as well as single parent scholarships that include both single mothers as well as single fathers. You will also find that there are single parent scholarships that are offered not just by four year colleges and universities but also by two-year community colleges and technical or vocational schools. And as you can see above, while there are scholarships that target specific student populations such as those who are attending graduate school, or who have decided to major in a specialized field or area, or are even working towards vocational degrees, a single parent student can improve her odds of winning a Scholarship by applying to as many scholarships as she possibly can.
Examples of Single Parent Scholarships
The following is a list of a few great scholarships that are specifically for single parents.
Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship
This Scholarship is awarded to low-income women with children who are pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s, or vocational degrees. The goal of this Scholarship is to help single mothers complete their education and increase their career opportunities.
The Single Parent Scholarship Fund
A few different organizations across the country have started The Single Parent Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to single parents who are already enrolled in either college or vocational courses.
The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)
This Scholarship was created for women who have been victims of intimate partner abuse, so any woman who can identify as such is eligible to apply – single mothers, in particular, have been able to benefit from this Scholarship and use the funds to help them further their education and thus provide for their families.
The Dr. Anita Voogt Family Scholarship
One of the best parts about this Scholarship is that it doesn’t require applicants to send in transcripts or recommendations.
The Colwell Law Single Parent Scholarship
Single parents and their children are the intended target audience for this Scholarship, as the award, which is determined by the single parent student’s essay, can be put towards many of the exorbitant fees of college.
Finding Scholarships
Finding scholarships available to single parents isn’t as hard as you might think. A simple online search using your favorite search engine or simply on the college websites themselves is a great place to start. You will also find that scholarships for single parents are often given out by your local community organizations, non-profits, foundations, or even government assistance programs.
Financial Aid
In addition to the Scholarships that are available for single parents, it is also a great idea to look into federal student aid options as well as grants, student loans, and work-study programs. Programs such as the Pell Grant are an excellent option for single parents that may qualify for additional government grants and assistance. Single parents can also reach out to non-profit and community-based groups for additional financial assistance.
Scholarship Search
Searching for scholarships for single parents is the best way to find all the Scholarships that you might be able to apply for. The internet is the greatest tool to use when searching for Scholarships, so taking advantage of scholarship search engines, inquiring at college financial aid offices, or asking local community organizations are all great options to use when you are on the hunt for Scholarships.
Edu4Less.org Scholarship Program
Edu4Less.org was started by Education For Less LLC to help adult students, like many single parents students, save money and keep on learning. This free service is for US adults over the age of 24 pursuing fully online studies at an accredited college or university. Edu4Less.org does not offer scholarships for high school seniors about to enter college for the first time. Also, Edu4Less.org scholarships are only for students that are not currently enrolled at a college or university, those with existing college accounts are not eligible for the scholarships. Edu4Less.org scholarships are great for adult students looking to finish a degree they started and dropped out, complete their first degree, or enter into a new graduate program.
In addition to the scholarships that Edu4Less.org provides its members, there are other perks like transcript ordering and application fee waivers. You also get free support from enrollment specialists that can offer help and counseling along every step of the process. Edu4Less.org wants to empower mid-career adult learners by offering postgraduate scholarships. By working with a select few online schools, Edu4Less.org can provide access to postgraduate scholarships that fit the student’s budget and career goals. Edu4Less.org passes its savings along to you for free, powered by Perdia Education’s proven tracking technology.
Scholarship Perks
* 10–20% Tuition Discount to help make the total cost of attendance more manageable
* Fee Waivers for transcript ordering and application fees
* Dedicated Support from enrollment specialists to help you every step of the way
* Get Help from Enrollment Specialists who can offer help and counseling along every step of the process
Eligibility Criteria
These Scholarships are for US adults 25 years and older only and that are working towards fully online degrees. They are best suited for returning students that are finishing a program they dropped out of, first-time undergrads that are going to college for the first time, or students just starting graduate study. They are not available to high school seniors, or to students already enrolled in college.
Conclusion
By and large, we are convinced that education is the easiest way to empower yourself and raise your salary. And higher education is the key to providing your children with better life conditions and increase your earning capacity. If you think that scholarships can’t help you in this tough job, you are deeply mistaken. Scholarships and financial aid are of great importance for single parent students and can be an effective way for them to reach their goal. They can help eliminate the educational barriers that prevent many single parent students from completing their education. Education is a great way to increase your future prospects and earning capacity; it is never too late to gain an education and better your life and your children’s lives.