Top 10 Scholarships and Grants for Single Parents
Sorted by deadline month, starting with January.
January
1) Scholars Fund for Education
Why It Slaps: This is a practical, high-value option for single parents because it is built around the real costs that knock student parents off track. Instead of acting like tuition is the only problem, the fund can also help with books, childcare, utility bills, and even car maintenance, which makes it especially useful for parents balancing classes, work, and kids. It is meant for single parents in Pope or Yell County, Arkansas who are pursuing postsecondary education and trying to improve their earning power. That makes it a strong fit for a page about college grants for single parents because it supports the whole survival side of staying enrolled, not just the classroom side.
Amount: Varies; supplemental financial assistance.
Deadline: January 31 for spring applications; August 31 for fall applications.
Apply/info: Official application page
February
2) Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF)
Why It Slaps: ASPSF is one of the clearest examples of what single-parent aid should look like: flexible money that can go toward child care, gas, car repairs, rent, and other real-life barriers that make college harder. It supports both degree programs and skilled-trade pathways, so it works for parents who are aiming for a bachelor’s degree and those who need a faster workforce credential. The program also pays attention to term-by-term timing, which helps applicants plan around spring, summer, and fall enrollment. For a single parent who needs support that fits actual family life, this is a seriously useful program.
Amount: $400 to $1,600 per semester, depending on credit hours.
Deadline: February 1 for spring; June 1 for summer; September 1 for fall.
Apply/info: Official scholarship page
3) Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant
Why It Slaps: This is a smart pick for single parents who went back to school later in life, especially women and nonbinary students who are 35 or older and need flexible aid. The grant is unrestricted non-tuition funding, which matters because many student parents struggle more with groceries, transportation, and childcare than with a single tuition bill. It works for technical or vocational programs, associate degrees, and a first bachelor’s degree, so it is broad enough to help a lot of returning students. The renewable structure also makes it more useful than a one-time award for parents trying to finish a longer program.
Amount: Up to $2,500 annually, renewable for up to five years.
Deadline: February 13, 2026 for the 2025–2026 cycle.
Apply/info: Official grant page
4) ANSWER Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This one is built for nontraditional moms who are doing the hard reset of college while actively parenting. It is for female students age 25 or older who are the primary caregiver to at least one school-age child, which makes it unusually on-target for single-parent readers. The award can support associate or first bachelor’s degree study at eligible nonprofit schools, and it is renewable for students who stay on track. For parents in the eligible North Carolina and South Carolina counties, this is one of the best mission-fit scholarships on the board.
Amount: Typically $2,750 per year for a two-year associate program up to $5,500 per year for a four-year bachelor’s program.
Deadline: February 28 each year.
Apply/info: Official application page
March
5) Women’s Forum of New York Education Fund Award
Why It Slaps: Even though this award is not single-parent-only, it is a very strong fit for many single mothers in New York City because the money is unrestricted and can go straight to the needs creating the most pressure. The award can be used for tuition, childcare, medical bills, elder care, transportation, housing, or whatever else is standing between the student and graduation. It is aimed at women 25 and older pursuing their first associate or bachelor’s degree, which lines up well with older student parents returning to school. For NYC applicants who need flexible cash rather than a tuition-only scholarship, this is a standout.
Amount: $10,000 total, paid in two installments of $5,000.
Deadline: March 1, 2026 for the 2026 cycle.
Apply/info: Official application page
6) Stella H. Oaks Foundation Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This program is one of the most direct mission matches on the list because it is specifically for single mothers with dependent children who are pursuing education or training that can raise earning power. It focuses on nonprofit schools or approved training programs and gives priority to programs that lead to family-supporting wages, which is exactly the kind of outcome most single parents need from college. The eligibility rules are detailed and serious, which is usually a good sign that the program is truly built around its target population. For single mothers, especially in Utah, this is a high-intent, high-fit opportunity.
Amount: Varies.
Deadline: March 14, 2026.
Apply/info: Official scholarship page
7) Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas (SPSFNWA)
Why It Slaps: This is another strong single-parent-specific program because it is designed around actual college persistence, not just a one-off award check. It serves eligible single parents in Northwest Arkansas, supports multiple types of programs, and clearly lays out deadlines and enrollment-based award levels. That transparency makes it easier for applicants to understand what they may receive and when they need to move. For single parents in Benton, Carroll, Madison, or Washington County, it is one of the best verified programs on this list.
Amount: $2,500 for full-time fall and spring enrollment; $1,875 for three-quarter-time; $1,250 for part-time.
Deadline: March 15 for summer; June 15 for fall; October 15 for spring.
Apply/info: Official scholarship page
April
8) Generation Hope Scholar Program
Why It Slaps: This is a terrific fit for young single parents because it combines scholarship money with wraparound support that most student-parent aid programs never offer. Eligible scholars get mentoring, mental health support, tutoring, emergency funding, and tuition assistance, which means the program is helping both the financial and life-management side of college. It is specifically built for teen parents age 25 or younger who are attending college in the Washington, DC region, Greater New Orleans, or Dallas–Fort Worth. For younger parents who need a community and a support system as much as they need cash, this is one of the strongest options available.
Amount: $1,200 per year for students at a two-year college and $2,400 per year for students at a four-year college.
Deadline: April 1, 2026 for Greater New Orleans; May 1, 2026 for the Washington, DC region and Dallas–Fort Worth.
Apply/info: Official scholar program page
June
9) Capture the Dream Single Parent Scholarship
Why It Slaps: This is a clean, straightforward scholarship for low-income single parents in the Bay Area who plan to enroll at an accredited, not-for-profit college in the fall. It may not be the biggest award on the list, but it is highly targeted and clearly written, which often makes a scholarship more worth applying to than a flashy national program with weak odds. The program also values leadership, community service, and academic performance, so it rewards applicants who can show both need and effort. For Bay Area single parents, it is absolutely worth a serious look.
Amount: $1,000 per recipient.
Deadline: Application window runs April 1 to June 30.
Apply/info: Official scholarship fund page
November
10) Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards
Why It Slaps: This is one of the best-known education awards for women who are carrying the financial weight of a family, which makes it a natural match for many single mothers. The money can be used for tuition, books, transportation, and reliable childcare, so it recognizes that student parents need flexible support to stay enrolled. It also has multiple award levels, which means applicants can potentially move from a local award to larger regional and international funding. For single parents looking for a widely available, recurring program with real scale, this is one of the strongest options on the list.
Amount: Recipients have the potential to receive up to $16,000.
Deadline: Applications are accepted August 1 through November 15 each year.
Apply/info: Official application page
