Scholarships For Single Divorced Moms
Scholarships for divorced single mothers are a golden chance to attend college without completing graduation with significant student debt. Scholarship awards are generally based on the academic achievements or merit basis of the student. Many are based on majors, ethnicity, interest, talents, and financial need of the student. The application process and eligibility criteria of every scholarship program may differ from one another. For example, programs may be specific to a particular field of study, a school, or an area of the country where you are residing. Many programs require residency in a particular statewide few require residency in a particular area of the country. Divorced single mothers need to research the requirements, application process, and deadline for every scholarship before applying.
Divorced single moms are one of the most destitute groups and around 88% of single parents headed by mothers have income below 200% of the poverty level. In other words, a lot of single mothers cannot afford to go to college and earn a degree or acquire higher education. Obtaining a college degree has a significant impact on your future earnings and is a gateway to good employment prospects. A college education is sometimes unattainable for divorced mothers who have a lot going on in their lives and have dependent children to take care of. Instead of giving up on your dreams or settling for a less-paying job, you can apply for scholarships for divorced single mothers which is one of the most affordable options and requires no repayment, unlike student loans.
Should Divorce Single Moms Apply For Scholarship Programs?
Scholarships are an important source for divorced single mothers and like any other financial aid, they include some eligibility requirements to qualify for educational grants. Scholarships for single moms are available through nonprofit organizations, governmental institutions, private agencies, local churches, and from other sources. Single moms and dads can also apply for the federal Pell Grant program to cover college and tuition. The best thing about the scholarship program is that you can apply for as many scholarships as you want to cover your educational expenses and do not hesitate to apply for their dream award since they come with free money. If you consider yourself a divorced single mom then you should opt for single parent scholarships that are available throughout the USA. Anyone can apply for this scholarship and there is no penalty for doing so. However, you need to check the eligibility requirements before applying as this prevents a waste of time and energy that could have been better spent on other plans and scholarship programs.
What Are The Types Of Scholarships Available For Single Divorced Mothers?
Divorced single mother scholarships and financial assistance can have plenty of eligibility requirements and other criteria which may be daunting for you. However, it is essential to keep in mind that there are a lot of scholarships and grants available for divorced single mothers and it just needs the right approach to apply for them. Do not lose hope if you fail to qualify for one scholarship instead head up and move to the next scholarship program. Single mothers who are divorced can apply for as many scholarships as they want. Following are the three main types of scholarship programs that are designed for single divorced mothers:
1. School-Specific Scholarship Programs And Grants
Universities and community colleges throughout the United States provide a plethora of scholarship programs and grants for divorced and widowed single mothers who wish to enroll in academic programs and continue their education. School-specific grants and scholarship programs are designed so that single mothers can cover their tuition fees while being attracted to the university’s degree or community college offerings. An important thing to note is that school-specific scholarship awards can apply only to academic programs and cannot be used to cover community college courses or any other programs at different institutions or schools.
2. State Or Regional Scholarships
School scholarship programs are not the only source of grants or scholarship programs designed for single divorced mothers. To further their education many counties and states throughout the United States of America are providing incentives for low-income students and enabling them to go back to school. This includes big or small financial aid awards in the form of grants and scholarships for single mommies. The regional or state scholarship programs are flexible, unlike school-specific programs. However, you will be required to showcase a robust financial need and even choose a post-secondary school within the geographical location of the area where you are residing.
3. Third-Party Scholarships
This is one of the most flexible types of scholarship programs that will help you to complete your post-secondary education. Financial awards are generally applied to universities or colleges so long they are accredited. Third-party scholarships also known as outside scholarships or private scholarships provide a chance to divorce single mothers to get funds from individual donors or private organizations. These financial aid awards may be small but it will go a long way to cover your educational expenses. Unlike school scholarship programs, third parties scholarships can be combined with other programs to reduce your financial burden and help you attend college smoothly.
Different Scholarships For Single Divorced Moms
If you wish to return to school after navigating the difficult phase of divorce or separation then the following scholarship programs can prove beneficial for you. Some of them are national based and come with a large financial aid award while some are small which will help you to cover your expenses. You need to file a simple online application and provide documentation as required to complete the scholarship application.
1. Single Parents Alliance Of America Scholarship
This scholarship program is designed for single parents exclusively who wish to pursue higher education and are facing financial difficulties. If you’re a divorced single mom, you can be eligible to apply for the Single Parents Alliance Of America’s Scholarship and make sure that you have enrolled in a post-secondary course of study, and are also a member of the Single Parents Alliance Of America. This is an organization that offers plenty of resources and support to single moms and dads and helps them to continue their education. This scholarship amount may vary based on your financial need. Membership in the organization is confidential and free.
2. Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)
Divorced single mothers who have been a victim of domestic abuse or violence at the hands of their intimate partner and wish to attain financial stability by pursuing higher education can apply for the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program. For this, you need to attend an accredited university or college in the USA. The scholarship program is for single moms with dependent children who have robust financial needs to further their education. Even though you are not required to find FAFSA, you are required to provide details related to your financial situation as well as documentation or financial aid that you are receiving from other sources. Also, single mothers need to make sure they have been separated from their abuser for a year but less than five years to qualify. Divorced women can get financial awards if they have been separated from their abusive partner for more than five years, however, it depends on the availability of funding.
3. Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
Divorced single moms who are over 35 years pursuing vocational or technical education and wish to obtain a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree can apply for this scholarship fund program. This scholarship program is based on income level, educational goals, plans, and other important factors. Single divorced mothers must attend an accredited college or university for qualifying. The amount of scholarship award that you can receive will be based on your need therefore low-income participants can receive a big award.
4. Society of Women Engineers Scholarships
Financial assistance is provided to women irrespective of whether they are widowed, divorced, or single by choice by the Society of Women Engineers. If you have enrolled in an accredited educational program that prepares you for careers in the field of computer science, engineering technology, or engineering then this scholarship program will be the right choice for you. The scholarship award that you can receive through this program differs between $2000 to $15,000. Women can use the scholarship fund for obtaining credentials and entering the workforce as professional engineers. Divorce single mothers who have dropped out of school and out of the engineering field for a minimum of two years because of financial limitations can apply for this scholarship program.
5. Patsy Takemoto Foundation
This is a private scholarship designed for single moms who wish to pursue higher education. The Patsy Takemoto Foundation Education Support Award is a financial aid award that helps single moms irrespective of whether they are divorced, widowed, or single by choice to acquire higher education and attain financial stability in their lives. The scholarship award is open to female students having dependent children and are required to demonstrate a strong financial need. An important thing to note is that the scholarship program is quite selective and only five students are selected per school year. If you’re a divorced single mom looking to apply for this scholarship, you need to make sure you are a minimum of 17 years or older, have a high school diploma, have enrolled in an accredited nonprofit school, and fulfilled all the additional criteria mentioned on the website of the foundation.
6. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers Single Mother Scholarship
Two scholarship awards of $1000 are provided to single mothers by Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. Divorced single moms are also eligible to apply for this program and they have to write an essay of a minimum of 500 words or more on how returning to school as a single mother can prove advantageous for them. You can include a plethora of skills in that essay that you have learned as a solo divorced mother, for example managing different priorities, listening skills, time management skills, and so on. Every year five finalists are chosen from the application submitted and recipients are required to enroll in an accredited college or university in the USA and prove themselves to be a mother willing to attend school and have higher educational goals. Divorced single mothers who have enrolled in undergraduate programs and law school programs can apply and must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
7. Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity
Scholarship awards ranging between $3000 to $10,000 are provided to single mothers through Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity. Divorced single mothers must enroll in an undergraduate degree program or skills program to qualify for the award. This scholarship will be received only once and you cannot hold the graduate degree to qualify for the program. This is designed for women who are the primary financial support for their families and primary caregivers of their dependents. The territories covered by the scholarship program are the United States, Mexico, Canada, and several countries in South and Central America including East Asia. Achieving this scholarship award will help you to overcome obstacles like domestic violence or poverty, alcohol or drug abuse, and attain stability in life.
Conclusion
Going to college after taking a long break is not supposed to be an easy journey, however it is not impossible either. Scholarship programs for many divorced single mothers are a viable route through which they can fulfill their educational goals. High school students are not the only recipients of scholarship programs as financial aid awards are also designed for single moms who are in desperate financial need. Scholarship money helps to ease the financial struggles of prospective single-mom students who are unable to afford higher educational expenses if they wish to attend university or community college. If you’re a divorced single mom the above-mentioned programs will help you to pay for your college expenses.
