Scholarships For Single Moms In Maryland
The life of a single mom is challenging. They have to balance child-rearing, household responsibilities, and higher education at the same time. Fortunately, single mom students in Maryland have financial opportunities available for them to pay for the cost of college university. These options include grants, scholarships, loans, and tuition waivers. Maryland grants and scholarship programs are free monetary assistance that need not be paid back and enable single moms students to acquire self-sufficiency by acquiring higher education.
Can Single Moms Afford Higher Education?
Yes, single moms can afford higher education through grants and scholarship programs. Scholarships are a way for single moms to attend college and graduate without incurring any debt. These scholarship awards are based on academic achievements and merit. A lot of scholarships are based on financial need while some are based on talents, majors, ethnicity, and fields of scholarship.
Unlike other financial aid opportunities received through schools or the federal government, scholarships require fewer commitments. For instance, you need not repay any amount like student loans and this makes them an affordable option. The application procedure and the eligibility criteria are unique to every scholarship and specific to one field of study, school, and county. It is necessary to research the application procedure and requirements for every scholarship before applying.
What Are The Available Scholarships For Single Moms In Maryland?
Following is the list of scholarship programs for single moms in Maryland.
1. Maryland Promise Scholarship
Single moms can apply for the Maryland Promise Scholarship which enables individuals to obtain higher education at a Community College. The Maryland Promise Scholarship is classified as a last-dollar financial award that takes the student and his or her household income into consideration before giving financial assistance. Single moms who want to pursue higher education can qualify for this scholarship program irrespective of which certificate or degree program they choose.
The scholarship also covers individuals who want to attend school for vocational training programs. The best thing about the Maryland Community College Promise scholarship is that students who are planning to obtain credits or noncredit courses that can lead to licensure or edification can also receive assistance. However, you need to show that you have a GPA of a minimum of 2.3, file FAFSA, and fulfill the income requirements of the program.
2. Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship
The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship is named in honor of Patsy Takemoto which assists single moms and low-income women through scholarship opportunities. To avail of scholarship opportunities you need to be a minimum of 17 years old and have dependents.
The scholarship program will be based on your financial need and your plan to attend an accredited degree, training, or certificate program. The scholarship program offers a one-time grant award of $5000. The scholarship award is based on the financial need, educational path, occupational vocational goals, and personal circumstances of the applicants.
3. Bernie Scholarships Awards Program
The Bernie Scholarship Award Program, a constituent of the Greater Washington Community Foundation offers the Bernie Scholarship Award Program. The program provides tons of scholarships for eligible students in Maryland who have robust financial needs and are living in subsidized housing in the Maryland county of Montgomery.
Single mom students have to submit scholarship applications within March and the amount of scholarship award that you receive will be based on your needs. This is a nonprofit charitable organization that was established 25 years ago to provide Maryland scholarships to eligible candidates.
4. Maryland Delegate Scholarship
The Maryland Higher Education Commission offers the Maryland Delegate Scholarship. Single-mom seniors at the high school level can apply for the scholarship in the state of Maryland provided they want to attend the university and have high education goals.
These Maryland scholarships are available for any academic major and can assist up to $10,000. The scholarship programs are available for out-of-state schools if the student has transferred by the military. The Maryland Department of Education is committed to assisting low-income students so that they can succeed in their careers and minimize the amount of student debt.
5. Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program
The Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program is designed for low-income students including single moms in Maryland who are planning or interested in going into human services, teaching, childcare, social work, public service, and nursing programs. The financial award received through this program may range between $1000 to $4000 per annual year however it does not exceed $19,000.
6. 2+2 Transfer Scholarship
Single moms who have enrolled themselves in STEM fields or nursing and teaching programs are eligible to receive financial assistance of up to $2000 through this scholarship program. The students including their parents should be Maryland residents and must enroll themselves in Community College in the state. Students are required to be in their last semester before getting transferred to four-year higher institutions where they can earn an associate degree.
7. Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
Single moms who are 35 years or above in age and pursuing vocational or technical education can apply for the Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund. With the assistance received through this scholarship program, you can obtain a bachelor’s or associate’s degree and attain self-sufficiency. This scholarship program is based on your family income, your educational goals, and how you’re planning to give back to society with your education. Single moms must attend an accredited college or university in the United States to qualify for a scholarship.
8. Maryland Senatorial Scholarship
Single-mom students who are residents of Maryland can apply for the Maryland senatorial scholarship and receive assistance that ranges between $400 to $10100 based on a variety of factors. High school seniors, part-time and full-time undergraduate and graduate students including career college students are eligible to receive financial assistance under the scholarship program.
Conclusion
Funding a college education as a single mom in Maryland is not easy as you have a lot of obligations to fulfill. If you’re considering returning to college or starting work towards an educational degree for the first time then there are financial support, assistance programs, and scholarship opportunities available for you. The aforementioned programs are a few useful resources that will help you to fund your education.