Student-parents – those who are raising children while they’re in college – make up 22 percent of undergraduates, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. And 70 percent of the student-parents are women.
Women who are student-parents are often at a very significant financial disadvantage, in part because they’re more likely than their male counterparts to be single parents. They also tend to take on more loan debt — as much as 2.5 times their male counterparts. They also face more difficulty paying off their loans, with single moms being in even worse positions.
Fortunately, there are many scholarships for women that moms can take advantage of. Here are 50 scholarships that moms can apply for.
Norma Ross Walter Scholarship
Amount: $2,000-$3,000. About: The Norma Ross Walter Scholarship is an annual prize awarded to female…
Science Ambassador Scholarship
Amount: Full Tuition (for up to 4 years). About: The Science Ambassador Scholarship is a…
Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors
Amount: $10,000. About: In 2021, the Sallie Mae Fund partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College…
Completing the Dream Scholarship Program
Amount: $2,500. About: Launched in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the Sallie Mae…
Bridging the Dream Scholarship for Graduate Students
Amount: $10,000. About: In 2021, the Sallie Mae Fund partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College…
Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation Education Support Awards
Amount: Up to $5,000. About: The Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation, named for the trailblazing Japanese…
Women in Technology Scholarship — Global
Amount: £5,500. About: Launched in 2010, the Women In Technology Scholarship — Global supports and…
Women in Technology Scholarship — Australia
Amount: AU$10,000. About: Launched in 2010, the Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship — Australia supports…
LMJ Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MMCA), an organization that promotes the hiring…
Linly Heflin Scholarship
Amount: $9,000. About: Linly Heflin is an organization that funds scholarships for women in Alabama…
Chevron Dinah Shore Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Administered by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), the Chevron Dinah Shore…
American Legion Auxiliary Spirit of Youth Scholarship for Junior Members
Amount: $5,000. About: The American Legion Auxiliary, an organization representing the spouses, mothers, daughters, granddaughters,…
Spirit of Youth Scholarship for Junior Members
Amount: $2,500-$5,000. About: Administered by the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA), the Spirit of Youth Scholarship…
Sheldon Gordon Scholarship for Women
Amount: $5,000. About: Administered by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Foundation, the Sheldon…
ICSC Undergraduate Scholarship for Women
Amount: $5,000. About: The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Undergraduate Scholarship for Women is…
Federal Realty Undergraduate Diversity Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (renewable for sophomores and juniors). About: Offered by the International Council of Shopping…
ICSC Undergraduate Diversity Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (renewable for sophomores and juniors). About: The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)…
ICSC Graduate Diversity Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Graduate Diversity Scholarship is awarded…
Raytheon Intelligence & Space Underrepresented Minorities in Cybersecurity Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: Administered by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, the Raytheon Intelligence…
Knowbe4 Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship
Amount: Up to $13,000. About: Administered by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education and…
Octillo Women’s Cybersecurity Scholarship
Amount: $4,000. About: Administered by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, the Octillo Women’s…
ISC2 Women’s Scholarship
Amount: $1,000-$5,000. About: The ISC2 Women’s Scholarship is annually awarded to female students pursuing careers…
Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship
Amount: $35,000 + Summer Associate salary. About: Global financial institution Goldman Sachs offers a fellowship…
Esther Edwards Graduate Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The Esther Edwards Graduate Scholarship is one of several scholarships offered by…
Georgia Harkness Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The Georgia Harkness Scholarship is one of several scholarships offered by the…
Leslie Andree Hanna Medical Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Offered by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Leslie Andree…
Charleston Women in International Trade (CWIT) Scholarship Program
Amount: $3,000. About: Charleston Women in International Trade (CWIT), an organization that promotes female international…
Eileen Kraus Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The Eileen Kraus Scholarship, established in 2016 in partnership with Kaman Corporation,…
Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship
Amount: $1,000-$3,000. About: The Army Women’s Foundation offers annual scholarships to help current and past…
Lynn G. Bellenger Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) offers five…
Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship
Amount: $1,000. About: Offered by the American Statistical Association (AMS), the Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship…
AIAA Lockheed Martin Marillyn Hewson Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) offers the AIAA Lockheed…
AFCEA Undergraduate Diversity Scholarship
Amount: $3,000. About: The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) annually offers the AFCEA…
Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Diversity Scholarship
Amount: $3,000. About: Offered by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), the Ralph…
AAUW International Fellowships
Amount: $18,000-$30,000. About: The AAUW International Fellowships provides support for women pursuing full-time graduate and…
AAUW International Project Grants
Amount: $5,000-$7,000. About: The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers grants to alumni of…
WWIN Star Scholar
Amount: Up to $5,000 per year (for 4 years). About: The Washington Women In Need…
Harriet Fitzgerald Scholarship for Women
Amount: $10,000. About: Each year, The Sunflower Foundation awards the Harriet Fitzgerald Scholarship to a…
Northrop Grumman Corporation Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Offered by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Northrop Grumman Corporation…
SWE Past Presidents Scholarship
Amount: $5,500. About: Each year, the Society for Women Engineers (SWE) offers the Past Presidents…
Olive Lynn Salembier Memorial Reentry Scholarship
Amount: $2,000. About: Offered by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Olive Lynn Salembier…
Lockheed Martin SWE Scholarship
Amount: $2,000. About: Offered by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Lockheed Martin Scholarship…
Meridith Thoms Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $3,200. About: Offered by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Meredith Thoms Memorial…
Judith Resnik Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $4,000. About: Offered by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Judith Resnik Memorial…
Lillian Moller Gilbreth Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $17,000. About: Offered by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Lillian Moller Gilbreth…
Lydia I. Pickup Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $3,500. About: Offered by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Lydia I. Pickup…
Dorothy Lemke Howarth Scholarship
Amount: $4,500. About: The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) offers the Dorothy Lemke Howarth Memorial…
Chevron/SWE Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The Chevron Corporation, a multinational energy company, and the Society of Women…
Dr. Ivy M. Parker Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1,500. About: Offered by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Dr. Ivy M….
Bechtel Corporation Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The Bechtel Corporation, an engineering, procurement, construction, and project management company, partners…
Honeywell International Inc. Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Offered by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Honeywell International Inc….
The scholarships listed above are just some of the best scholarships we’ve found for you. There are many other scholarships out there.
Use TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find more scholarships for you.
To keep on top of new scholarships as they are offered, be sure to join the TUN Community. We will let you know about scholarships that you qualify for.
When to apply for scholarships
Each scholarship has a specific deadline. These deadlines occur throughout the year, so you can find one for any time of the year. Keep in mind, however, that some scholarship deadlines may fall months, even a year, before the start of the academic year for which you’re seeking a scholarship.
So, you should start the search process early. That way, if you find an award that appeals to you, you’ll be ahead of the game.
And when you apply, be sure to meet the deadline for each specific scholarship.
How to apply for scholarships
Each scholarship has its own unique requirements and qualifications. The first step to successfully applying for any scholarship is reading the details carefully. Make sure that you fit the eligibility criteria and fill out the application completely.
Pay attention to what’s required of you. For example, if you need a recommendation letter, you should request one way ahead of time so you have one by the time you apply. If an essay is required, start writing weeks before the deadline so you have an essay you can be proud of before the due date.
Aim to send in your application at least a few days before the deadline. This way, you avoid the risk of getting sidelined by technical glitches, tests, heavy homework load, or illness.
And don’t forget to submit everything required of you as part of your application.
For more tips on how to apply for scholarships, check here.
How to find scholarships
Colleges may offer either merit-based or need-based scholarships or both. You can usually find most of the information by clicking on their “financial aid” page. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to email or call their financial aid office.
There are also outside scholarships — like the ones listed above — that are sponsored by companies, organizations, foundations, and individuals as a way to give back to their communities. The awards can cover your entire tuition or a portion of it. Some scholarships have a GPA requirement or are based on financial need, while others embrace a cause or emphasize community involvement, athletic achievement, diversity, passion, and much more.
So, how do you find outside scholarships like these?
Start your search with TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find scholarships that are ideal for you. You can search by grade level, GPA, major, state of residency, scholarship name, or deadline month. You can also browse through our featured scholarships, some available only through TUN, and a collated list of scholarships for specific groups of students.
You should also check with your high school or college to see if they have a list of scholarships. Your guidance counselor may have the list or point you to someone who can help you. They may also be in the know about scholarships sponsored by local stores or organizations.
Your family is yet another good source of scholarships. Your parents or guardians may work for a company that offers scholarships for dependents of employees.
If you work while in high school or college, you may also qualify for an employee scholarship.
For more tips on how to find scholarships, check here.
How to get scholarships
Scholarships, especially ones with high awards, can be very competitive. In some cases, you may be competing against thousands of students.
So, how do you increase your chances of winning a scholarship?
First, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and submit all the information required of you, including recommendation letters, transcripts, and resume.
Second, be sure to distinguish yourself from the other applicants. Your essay, if that’s required, is what makes you unique so let your personality and creativity shine through. How do you do that?
You can achieve that “by showing instead of telling,” according to Sarah Chomette, an eAdviser with the College Advising Corps.
“When answering a creative prompt or inputting your personal statement, it’s important to provide the reader with a story instead of just telling them about your goals and accomplishments,” she said. “That can be kind of boring and it makes you get lost in the crowd.”
A successful essay must include four major components, Chomette explained. First, make sure that you convey your personal values. Second, be open and honest to help the reader feel a connection with you. Third, let the reader know why your story is important. Fourth, your writing must show that you put time and effort into it.
If a scholarship asks for a video or infographic instead of an essay, the same principle applies.
To summarize, always put thought and effort into your whole application and submit your best work. There should be no obvious errors or typos. And if you need to submit a recommendation letter, reflect on who knows you best and whose recommendation would help your application the most.
Are scholarships taxable?
Typically, scholarships are not taxable. However, it can depend on how the scholarship money is being used, according to federal tax laws.
Scholarship dollars are tax-exempt if they are going to a degree-seeking candidate and are being used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment, books, supplies, and other educational expenses.
Scholarships are not tax-exempt, and you must report them as “gross income,” if they are used to pay for room and board, travel, or optional equipment.
If you have additional questions, you should reach out to the financial aid office of your prospective or current college or university.