Single mothers go through a lot and face difficult situations as they often have low-paying jobs and cannot meet financial stability. A fulfilling life would also be impossible for single mothers who are unable to cover their basic expenses, including medical bills, child care costs, and housing. Being encumbered with financial hardship often deters them from pursuing further education or better employment opportunities.
Being a single mother is one of the toughest things in the world because you have to worry about your daily needs while also thinking about your children's education and feeding them well-balanced meals. The burden of financial hardship can be lessened with some aid from financial aid programs available for low-income families and single parents.
Fortunately, there are various grant programs for single mothers to overcome the difficulties of being single parents. Many single mothers nowadays can take care of their children while they pursue higher education with the support of government and non-governmental grants. Through programs like the Pell Grant and other federal grants, these mothers can alleviate some of the financial hardships and work towards their career goals.
If you wish to learn more about how to apply for single mom grants, continue reading this article.
Ways To Apply For Grants For Single Moms
You must make sure you are eligible before applying for grants for single mothers. That said, do not submit an application if you do not satisfy even one of the eligibility requirements. Also, organizations giving out grants rarely deviate from the requirements because they want to provide financial aid to specific recipients.
On the other hand, if you satisfy all eligibility requirements, you can proceed to fill out the application and send the necessary documents. Keep in mind that you'll probably need to compose a letter of application for a grant. After you've submitted your grant application for consideration, all that's left to do is wait or apply for other grants for more assistance.
Types Of Grants For Single Mothers
There are different types of programs from different organizations where you can apply for single mom grants. These grants and scholarships provide single mothers with financial assistance during tough times. Below is a list of all grants a single mom can apply for:
- Government Grants
- College Grants
- Financial Aid
Government Assistance Grants For Single Moms
For a variety of reasons, the government has multiple grants it can award to single moms and women in need. Since many grants are funded by US taxpayer money, the government and government agencies make sure they are selective about whom and what they provide.
Grants are also given to nonprofit or educational groups by the federal government's Small Business Administration. Additionally, state and municipal government initiatives support local small enterprises that provide financial assistance to single moms in each state.
HUD Grants For Single Mothers
The United States government occasionally awards block grants to underserved communities. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program was launched by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 1974 to assist people with their developmental needs. There is a great need for programs like this, especially for those applying for grants for single mothers.
Specifically, for low-income single mothers, HUD offers safe, affordable housing. Apartments, single-family homes, and townhouses are available for selection, with prices varying by state. Furthermore, HUD provides for low-income families, the disabled, and the elderly who need local and inexpensive housing.
Eligibility Requirements:
For basic eligibility requirements, all applicants must have a low to moderate income for the area in which they reside. Keep in mind that the exact requirements vary by city and state, so it’s best to look on the HUD site or contact your local HA to see the specific income limits set in your area.
How to Apply:
Contact your local HA agency to apply on your own or with a representative. Complete a written application and provide the names of all occupants of the unit. Include your current contact information and housing situation, as well as information on your landlords and employers. To determine your income eligibility, you must provide proof of your family's current sources of income.
Child Care Assistance
With children being the country's future, the government of the United States of America is making a lot of effort to fulfill their fundamental rights and needs. For this purpose, the government initiated the Child Care Assistance program to help single mothers and their children. There are many ways to get this assistance from the government.
The Department of Social Security offers childcare support programs that are sponsored and managed by them. They offer a maximum amount of $325 as emergency cash to low-income mothers with a child. There are also other programs within Child Care Assistance that may help alleviate your financial burdens — like Head Start — a federal program that provides educational, healthcare, and nutrition services to low-income single mothers with children. Other similar programs are implemented by local governments.
For information on the eligibility requirements of each program, visit this article.
WIA Grants For Single Mothers
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) was put into full effect by the federal government on July 1st, 2020. This law intends to support the state and municipal levels of workforce development. Through the provision of workshops, seminars, training, and job search opportunities, WIA can help single mothers find and prepare for employment.
Job centers across the United States receive this grant. With regard to the grant amount, it varies depending on the needs of each state or community. This means that a community with more jobless people will receive more funding to help single mothers land full-time jobs.
Eligibility Requirements:
For the general eligibility requirements, applicants must be at least 18 years old. Also, the additional unemployment benefits are reserved for laid-off workers who won’t be returning to their previous industry or field, homemakers, and those who are self-employed.
How to Apply:
Individuals seeking WIA services, including occupational or career training, should contact their local workforce investment area staff to apply.
The application procedures may include online applications and in-person interviews to assess the financial situation of the applicant and the level of hardship grants required.
College Grants For Single Mothers
There are a lot of inspiring women around the world who desire to finish their degrees and pursue careers. However, juggling college-level courses, increasing daily expenses, and having a fussy baby are stressful. Fortunately, many scholarship providers know the difficulties and challenges mothers returning to school face. In order to support single mothers who wish to pursue higher education, these organizations provide opportunities to those who want to apply for single mom grants.
Various school grants and private grants are also available through private organizations and community organizations to support single mothers in achieving their college degree. With the rising cost of education, the financial aid program provided through these grants can significantly alleviate the financial burden.
Soroptimist Live Your Dreams Award
The Soroptimist's Live Your Dream Awards program is a distinct educational grant program since it caters to women who are the primary financial providers for their families. This grant offers financial support to single mothers who contribute to their family's income and spending in order to ensure that they receive advanced qualifications and achieve four years of university education. Aside from single mothers, over half of the Live Your Dream Awards recipients are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, or sexual assault.
Unlike traditional grants, the cash award from Live Your Dreams may be used by the recipients to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition, and transportation.
Eligibility Requirements:
Aside from being the primary financial provider for yourself and your dependents, other eligibility requirements also include the following:
- Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational or skills training program or an undergraduate degree program;
- Resides in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries or territories (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela);
- Has not previously been a recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Award; and
- Does not have a graduate degree
How to Apply:
The Live Your Dream Awards provide three levels of cash awards. Applicants who qualify may submit an application between August 1 and November 15. Send your application here.
Go Girls Grants
For those who are interested to apply for grants for single mothers online, this is the perfect grant program for you.
The Girlfriend Factor Organization considers education one of the most crucial elements in assisting women to become more independent. The organization's fundamental goal is to improve women's lives by giving them access to high-quality education. The grants will support women in completing their higher education and also provide occupational training to those over 25 years of age.
Eligibility Requirements:
Below is a list of eligibility criteria applicants must fulfill to qualify for this grant.
- Must be aged 25 or more
- Must be residing and attending a school located in the Coachella Valley, CA
- Must pursue any specific undergraduate degree or occupational courses with certification
- Must be enrolled in at least two classes
How to Apply:
To apply for a Go Girl! Grant, print, and fill in the grant application. Make sure to prepare a one-page autobiography and provide information about the course you’ll be taking and its cost. Submit three references and be prepared for a personal interview.
Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Award
The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation, which was established in 2003, intends to uphold some of Mink's most passionate commitments. These include educational access, equity, opportunity for low-income women, particularly single mothers, and educational enrichment for children.
To stay true to its commitment, the foundation provides a grant of $5,000 per recipient, which could cover most education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, and childcare (only while in class or studying).
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify, you must satisfy the following requirements:
- Must be a woman, at least 17 years of age
- Must be a mother, with minor children
- Must be pursuing a first degree at a postsecondary level of education AND degree program must add to the level of education accomplished
- Must be enrolled in a not-for-profit, accredited institution or program in the U.S.
- Must have a low income (all annual family income less than $20,000 for a family of 2; less than $24,000 for a family of 3; less than $28,000 for a family of 4)
How to Apply:
Information on every year's application processing will be available on this page. Make sure to keep track of the schedules provided.
Interested in churches that help with financial assistance? These churches often operate food banks and food pantries, offering additional support to needy families. They sometimes collaborate with non-profit organizations and community organizations to provide a wide range of support services. Check out this article by Gov Relations to learn more.
