Married, partnered or on your own: if you're juggling kids and classes, the money that helps most is often the money that buys time, like child care, work-study and employer tuition.
What moms tell us they need
Money, and time
Tuition is only part of the cost. Child care, getting to class and the hours you can't work all add up.
Look for awards you can spend on more than tuition. Soroptimist says its Live Your Dream Awards can cover books, child care, tuition and transportation, and the Patsy Mink award can go toward living expenses while you're enrolled.
Then ask your college's aid office whether it has campus child care for student parents, and how it handles child care costs in your aid package.
Verified awards
Scholarships and grants moms can use
Cash awardVerified Nov 7, 2026
Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women
Soroptimist International of the Americas
MomsSingle momsOver 30, 40, 50
Who can applyWomen who provide the primary financial support for their families and are working toward more education or training.
What it givesAwards can go toward any cost of getting an education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation. Soroptimist says it gives more than $3.6 million a year to over 2,500 women.
Good to knowLocal Soroptimist clubs also give club-level awards in their own communities.
TimingApplications run August through November each year, per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026. Open now.
Who can applyLow-income mothers of minor children, 17 or older, enrolled full time at a U.S. nonprofit accredited school in a program above any degree they already hold (vocational through doctoral). For 2026-27, family income had to be under $27,320 for a family of three.
What it givesIn 2026, five awards of up to $5,000 each, per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026. Paid in two installments and usable for school or living expenses.
Good to knowThe foundation contacts awardees only and doesn't grant deadline extensions.
TimingThe 2026-27 cycle closed in August 2026. The foundation says 2027-28 details will be posted in May 2027.
Who can applyStudent parents from low-income backgrounds at colleges that hold a CCAMPIS grant. The grant goes to the college, not to you.
What it givesCampus-based child care, and in some cases before- and after-class support, so low-income parents can stay in school. Programs often use a sliding fee scale.
Good to knowNot every college has one. Ask the financial aid office or student parent center.
TimingColleges apply; the latest competition closed in May 2026.
Who can applyEmployees whose employer has a written educational assistance program.
What it givesUp to $5,250 a year tax-free for tuition, fees, books and supplies, plus payments on your own qualified student loans, which the 2026 IRS guide says is now permanent.
Good to knowSome employers require you to stay for a period after.
Ask HR whether your employer has an educational assistance program. Under the IRS rules in Publication 15-B, up to $5,250 a year of employer help with tuition, fees, books and supplies can be tax-free, and it can also go toward your own student loans.
Questions worth asking: Does it pay upfront or reimburse after each class? Is there a grade minimum? Do you have to stay for a period afterward?
Over 35? The Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant gives up to $3,000 a year for non-tuition costs to women 35 and older with financial need, per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026. More for returning students.
How to spot a scholarship scam
You're asked to pay. The FTC's advice: never pay to apply for a scholarship, and treat "processing" or "redemption" fees as a red flag.
It's guaranteed. No real sponsor guarantees an award or offers a money-back promise.
Someone charges to file your FAFSA. The FAFSA is free at studentaid.gov. Never share your FSA ID.
They want bank or card details "to confirm eligibility," or say you're a finalist for something you never entered.
"Government grants for moms" ads. Federal grants come through the FAFSA, not through a third-party sign-up page.
Are there scholarships for moms who want to go back to school?
Yes. Soroptimist's Live Your Dream Awards are for women who are their family's primary financial support, and the Patsy Takemoto Mink award is for low-income mothers of minor children. Most moms should also file the FAFSA for a Pell Grant.
Can I get financial aid as a married mom?
Yes. Federal aid is based on financial need; if you're married, your spouse's information is part of the FAFSA. Many private scholarships for women don't depend on marital status.
Does work-study work for parents?
It can. Federal Work-Study jobs are part time, scheduled around your classes and open to full- and part-time students with financial need at participating schools.
