Gov-Relations Logo

Top 4 Scholarships For Stay-At-Home Moms

Written by: Jody Adams
Last updated: January 31, 2024

Any country will fail to advance if women are kept at home. In the workplace, women are known for their collaborative efforts and ability to deliver quality work. In the United States, women now have an equal chance of becoming scientists, astronauts, financiers, doctors, mechanics, pilots, and legislators. Therefore, finances should not prevent stay-at-home moms from pursuing their life goals. However, with the ever-increasing costs of higher education and childcare, as well as multiple work responsibilities, moms who desire to return to school might feel like it is impossible. 

The true costs of child care now rival the cost of colleges in most states. Families with newborns need to pay an average of about $16,000 per year, or a little over $1,300 per month, to cover the full cost of child care. A public 4-year college, on the other hand, costs approximately $25,707 for one academic year. Such expenses are difficult to manage, especially for stay-at-home mothers. 

Fortunately, there is a scholarship for stay-at-home moms that provides free money or financial support to aid in their pursuit of higher education. These grants and scholarships are available from the city, national, and federal levels. They allow mothers and women to pursue education while remaining financially solvent. 

If you wish to learn more about scholarships for stay-at-home moms going back to school, continue reading this article.

List Of Scholarships For Stay-At-Home Moms

Scholarships and grants for women’s financial needs are awarded in the United States of America  in order to ensure that mothers can obtain an education and work alongside men. Below is a concise list of 4 scholarships for stay-at-home moms to get you started:

Society Of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships

The SWE Scholarship Program offers financial aid to women who want to pursue careers in engineering, engineering technology, or computer science. This scholarship for stay-at-home moms also applies to those who are enrolled in any community college, baccalaureate, or graduate programs. Nearly 290 new and renewable scholarships worth over $1,220,000 were given out by SWE the previous year. 

The SWE seeks to motivate and inspire women who are unable to continue their studies in the fields of science and technology. For this purpose, grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 are awarded to single mothers and historically overlooked women so they would be able to secure a better future for themselves and their children. 

Note that for the following academic year, scholarships are normally given out to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students in May; and to first-year students in July. On the other hand, scholarship payments are normally made in September wherein the recipients are also revealed at the same time.

To qualify, you must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Must identify as a woman
  • For undergraduate or community college applicants, planning to study an ABET-accredited program in engineering, technology, or computing in the upcoming academic year
  • For Masters and PhD candidates — must be enrolled or accepted at a school with ABET-accredited programs in engineering, computing, or technology
  • Must be planning to attend full time — except for reentry and traditional applicants
  • Must not be fully funded for tuition, fees, and books or equivalent
  • Must submit the required documents and transcripts in English

If you are qualified, you may register here.

PEO Program For Continuing Education Grant

The PEO Program for Continuing Education (PCE) is an excellent scholarship for stay-at-home moms going back to school. It also provides great academic opportunities for women who have put off continuing their education due to family responsibilities or motherhood. PEO stands for charitable educational organizations that help the most vulnerable and underprivileged women in the community to pursue higher education. 

This program is applicable for women who are citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States or Canada. The PEO also offers one-time grants based on an applicant’s financial need, which they can use to finish a degree or certification that is required to advance or acquire skills that will lead to employment. 

For the PCE, the maximum grant awarded is $3,000 for academic or technical courses, including online programs offered by educational institutions in the United States or Canada. However, keep in mind that lesser amounts may be given since available funds are based on the present year’s budget and applicants’ individual needs. Additionally, the PCE grant only covers education-related expenses such as:

  • Tuition
  • Books and supplies
  • Examination and graduation fees
  • Transportation (only for estimated cost of gas, parking, and local bus fare)
  • Childcare (only while in class or studying)
  • School uniforms
  • Necessary equipment or course-related tools 

This scholarship for stay-at-home moms should not be used to pay for living expenses or to repay any educational loans or personal debt. Doing so automatically disqualifies you from the PCE grant. 

The PEOs also have additional eligibility requirements, namely:

  • Has not already earned a Master’s degree or Ph.D., or equivalent
  • Is currently enrolled in a certification or degree program from an accredited institution
  • Has had at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student 
  • Is within 18 consecutive months of finishing her educational program

If you are qualified, you may apply here

Women’s Independence Scholarship Program

Women are usually categorized as low-wage earners and marginalized. They are also frequently subjected to domestic violence and harassment, and these issues severely affect women's educational opportunities. Higher education, however, could change that. The pursuit of collegiate degrees and academic studies will help women thrive and provide them with opportunities to improve their lives. 

The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program exists to serve this purpose. It began as a program of The Sunshine Lady Foundation (SLF) in 1999 and, for 8 years provided scholarships to women who were survivors of intimate partner abuse. The average scholarship awarded to qualified applicants is $1,000, but the amount given usually ranges from $500 to $2,000 depending on one’s financial needs and the number of credits a student is enrolled in. 

To be eligible for grants under this program, you must fulfill the minimum requirements listed below:

  • Must identify as a female survivor of intimate partner abuse
  • Must be physically separated from your abuser for a minimum of one year but not more than ten
  • Must have sought services from a non-profit institution that provides help to survivors of intimate partner abuse for a minimum of six (6) consecutive months
  • Must be an undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited course at a United States educational institution
  • Must be a citizen or a permanent legal resident of the United States, or have an immigration status that makes you eligible for FAFSA
  • Must be currently residing in the United States or any its territories

If you are qualified, you may apply here.

The Jeannette Rankin Foundation Women’s Education Fund

Since its establishment in 1976, the Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund has awarded over 1,000 women with more than three million in scholarships. Previous recipients of this scholarship have experienced a positive change in their lives; more than 87% of JRF Scholars either graduate or continue on to finish their degrees. 

Additionally, motivated low-income women have benefited greatly from the Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship, with 55% of JRF Scholars stating that the scholarship made finishing their higher educations possible.

The Jeanette Rankin Foundation Women’s Education Fund is an undergraduate scholarship for stay-at-home moms and is explicitly tailored for women aged 35. It offers two unrestricted non-tuition grants for students who identify as women or nonbinary and demonstrate financial need.

Under this program, scholars will receive $2,000 in their first year and may be eligible for up to five grants in five years, totaling a maximum of $10,000. However, they should continue to satisfy the qualifying requirements to be eligible for a renewal. Unlike traditional scholarships, the grants from JRF scholarships covers more in-school expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, childcare or other living expenses.

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must fit the following criteria:

  • Must identify as woman
  • Should be in legal age, 35 years or older
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States
  • Must be enrolled in, or accepted to, a regionally or ACICS accredited school 
  • Must be pursuing or intend to pursue a technical or vocational education, an associate’s degree, or a first bachelor’s degree
  • Must have low income

Keep in mind that “low-income” is based on income in relation to household size. For more information, check out the table below.

Household sizeAnnual Income
1Less than $23,500
2Less than $38,511
3Less than $52,863
4Less than $65,257
5Less than $77,014
6 or moreLess than $90,059

If you are qualified, you may apply here

Financial assistance for online high school diplomas can provide the necessary support for those facing financial challenges and scholarships for stay-at-home moms can make higher education more accessible for those balancing family responsibilities.

Are you interested in getting free money from the government through government hardship grants? Visit this Gov Relations blog to learn more. 

Jody Adams
Jody Adams is an accomplished editor-in-chief with a deep understanding of social care and government benefits issues. With a background in journalism and a master's degree in Public Policy, Jody has spent her career shaping the narrative around social policies and their impact on society. She has worked with renowned publications, effectively bridging the gap between complex policy analysis and public understanding. Jody's editorial expertise ensures that vital information on social care and government benefits reaches a broad audience, empowering individuals to make informed decisions.
Gov-Relations | Subscribe Now!
Gov-Relations | Subscribe Now! Gov-Relations | Subscribe Now!
    Gov-Relations Logo
    Gov-Relations is where people may seek information on funding opportunities. With our help, we hope our readers are reducing paperwork and simplifying their grant application procedure. We provide data quality reviews, assistance, and informative articles to assist applicants in their journey to completing and submitting grant applications.
    (949) 695-8823
    17595 Harvard Ave. C2480-B Irvine, CA 92614
    © 2024 Gov-Relations. All Rights Reserved.