Grants & Scholarships for Moms

1. Federal Aid: Pell Grants

• What it is: A need-based federal grant for undergraduate studies – no repayment required.

• Why it matters: Awards range up to ~$7,395 for the 2025–26 academic year (mycollegeguide.org, riseofsinglemoms.com).

• How to apply: Fill out the FAFSA annually by early summer (e.g., June 1 in many states).

2. National Scholarships Tailored to Moms

Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Support Award

• Up to $5,000 for low‑income mothers pursuing any post‑secondary degree or vocational training (scholarshipunion.com).

• Eligibility: Minor children, enrolled, meet income thresholds (< $28,000 for a family of four) (fairygodboss.com).

• Deadline: Typically in summer (e.g., Aug 1, 2025).

Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards

• For women who are primary financial supporters: $3,000–$16,000, usable for tuition, childcare, books (fairygodboss.com).

• Rolling deadlines; check local organizations.

Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)

• $500–$2,000 per semester for survivors of intimate partner violence pursuing education (uopeople.edu).

• Open year‑round.

Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

• Supports low‑income women aged 35+, awards up to $10,000 over 5 years (scholarshipunion.com).

• Covers not just tuition, but books, fees, childcare, transportation (contactsenators.com).

• Deadline around Feb 17 annually (scholarshipunion.com).

Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA)

• For moms pursuing accounting degrees: scholarships between $2,000–$16,000 (forbes.com).

• Deadline typically April 30 (forbes.com).

ANSWER Scholarship Endowment

• Based in Charlotte, NC: single moms 25+, awards $2,000–$5,500 renewable for up to 4 years (uopeople.edu).

• Application deadlines vary (Nov–Feb).

Capture the Dream Single Parent Scholarship

• Bay Area (San Francisco): $1,000 award to low-income single parents (scholarshipunion.com, uopeople.edu).

• Deadline: June 30 annually.

Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship

• $1,000–$2,000 biannual awards for single mothers.

State & Local Grants

• Examples:

• Cal Grant (California): up to ~$12,570 (singlemothers.us).

• Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG): need‑based state awards (riseofsinglemoms.com).

• Others include Florida, New York, Minnesota, and Tennessee state-level aid (riseofsinglemoms.com).

• Check with local financial aid offices and scholarship databases (Fastweb, Scholarship.com) (forbes.com).
  

3. Organizations Offering Wraparound Support

Family Scholar House

• Residential and supportive services for single moms in Louisville: housing, childcare, academic coaching, career services (en.wikipedia.org).

Federal TRIO Programs (e.g., Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers)

• Provide counseling, tutoring, help with college admissions, FAFSA, and grant access.

Head Start

• Free early childhood development and care programs for families below the poverty threshold (~$30k for a family of 4).

Nurse–Family Partnership (NFP)

• Home visits from registered nurses for low‑income first‑time mothers, linking health and education support (en.wikipedia.org).

How CHAP’s Community Health Worker (CHW) Can Help

A CHW associated with the Community Health Access Project (CHAP) can be a vital ally for moms, offering support in these key ways:

📘 1. Outreach & Education

• CHWs can inform mothers about applicable grants, scholarships, and early childhood programs during home visits or clinic appointments.

• They guide families through FAFSA completion, ensuring mothers receive federal Pell and state grants.

🔍 2. Application Assistance

• CHWs help with gathering documents (income verification, letters of recommendation).

• They assist moms in crafting compelling personal statements for scholarships like Mink, Rankin, or EFWA.

🧩 3. Care Coordination

• Link moms to Head Start, childcare subsidies, housing supports (e.g., Family Scholar House), and mentorship programs.

• Ensure healthcare and childcare barriers are addressed so mothers can attend classes and exams.

🤝 4. Peer & Emotional Support

• Offer encouragement and tools to build time‑management skills.

• Connect mothers in group sessions for peer support and stress reduction.

📈 5. Advocacy & Follow‑Up

• Advocate within schools and colleges for accommodations such as flexible schedules, childcare on campus, or leaves of absence.

• Help track academic progress and renew scholarships, like Rankin's multi‑year grants.
  

In short, CHWs are trusted, hands‑on navigators, bridging healthcare, social services, and education. Their consistent engagement increases the likelihood that moms will complete their programs and achieve long-term success.

Final Thoughts

Many moms face steep barriers, but through strategic navigation of federal grants, scholarships tailored to moms, state/local aid, and wrap‑around services, combined with CHW support via CHAP, many can successfully pursue education and secure better futures for their families.