Scholarships for Single Parents in 2025: 40+ Funding Options

Going back to school as a single mom or single dad is possible—with the right plan. This guide spotlights scholarships for single parents in 2025, including where to find them, how to qualify, and a 40+ funding options checklist you can use today. You’ll also learn how to stack awards with childcare support and other benefits to cut your net price.

How Single-Parent Scholarships Work in 2025

Who typically qualifies

• Single mothers and single fathers enrolled in eligible certificate, associate, bachelor’s, or graduate programs.
• Adult learners/returning students with a gap since high school or prior college credits.
• Dependents (e.g., head-of-household status) and demonstrated financial need for many awards.

What they usually cover

• Tuition and mandatory fees
• Books, technology, and transportation
• Childcare stipends or reimbursements (select programs)

Where to Find Scholarships for Single Parents

Trusted starting points

• The College Monk Scholarships Directory — filter for single parent, adult learner, or nontraditional student keywords.
• TCM Short Essay Scholarship — quick application; a practical option to add to your stack.

Local and school-based sources

• Community foundations in your county or metro
• Women’s resource centers and campus family support offices
• Department/major-specific awards for adult learners

Employer, union, and association aid

• Tuition assistance through your employer (often up to an annual cap)
• Union scholarships for members and dependents
• Professional associations aligned to your field (healthcare, IT, education, trades)

40+ Funding Options: Quick-Scan List

Use these categories and common award types to surface single-parent scholarships fast. Many students build a winning package from a mix of 6–10 of these.

National & organizational programs

• Adult learner scholarships (national nonprofits)
• Women re-entry scholarships
• Single fathers education funds
• Parent-student emergency microgrants
• STEM re-entry awards for caretakers
• Business/entrepreneurial scholarships for parents
• Healthcare & nursing re-entry awards
• Teacher education scholarships for career changers
• Online learner grants for parents
• First-generation college parent awards

State & regional sources

• State need-based grants (single parents often prioritized)
• State scholarships for adult learners/part-time enrollees
• County/municipal community foundation scholarships
• Regional workforce development grants (upskilling)
• State childcare subsidies for student-parents
• Transportation or textbook grants (state/county)
• Rural student return-to-school awards
• City women’s fund scholarships
• State transfer-student grants
• State completion grants (students near degree finish)

College & department awards

• Institutional scholarships for nontraditional students
• Family housing scholarships or discounts
• Departmental merit for adult learners
• Honors program microgrants
• Experiential learning/paid research stipends
• Study-at-night/weekend program scholarships
• Co-op/paid internship scholarships
• Childcare center fee reductions on campus

Foundation & private awards

• Community-based women and family foundations
• Faith-based scholarships for parents
• Corporate foundation scholarships (retail, tech, healthcare)
• Local civic clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Junior League)
• Housing/utility support grants that free up tuition dollars
• Technology grants (laptop, hotspot) for student-parents

Count check: The categories above represent 40+ distinct funding avenues when you explore national, state, college, and private options in your area and field.

How to Apply (and Win) Without Burning Out

Documents checklist

• Proof of single-parent status (where required)
• FAFSA® submission confirmation
• Unofficial transcripts (official if requested)
• One résumé tailored to school + work + caregiving
• Two short essay templates (story + goals) you can customize

Essay angles that work

• Resilience & routines: systems you built to balance school, work, and parenting
• Community impact: how your education multiplies outcomes for your family and neighborhood
• Career clarity: skills you’re acquiring and how they map to a specific role

Timeline: Single-Parent Scholarship Planner (2025)

Quarter-by-quarter plan

• Q1: Build a 15–20 award list; draft essays; request references
• Q2: Submit national awards; apply for state aid and childcare support
• Q3: Target institutional/department awards and local foundations
• Q4: Renewables and late-cycle awards; update transcripts and résumé

Stacking Childcare & Campus Support

High-value supports

• On-campus childcare centers with student-parent pricing
• Priority registration and family housing
• Flexible/online course formats and evening labs

Ask your Family Resource or Student-Parent office which supports pair with your scholarships for single parents 2025 plan.

Avoid Scholarship Scams in 2025

Red flags

• Upfront “processing” fees, gift card/crypto requests
• Guaranteed awards with no eligibility criteria
• DMs or emails from look-alike domains asking for bank/SSN

Navigate directly to the sponsor’s website, confirm past recipients, and read full terms before you apply.

FAQs: Scholarships for Single Parents

Can I win scholarships as a part-time student?

Yes—many single-parent scholarships allow part-time enrollment. Check each award’s credit-hour rules.

Do I need a high GPA?

Plenty of awards focus on need, persistence, or community service rather than GPA alone.

Can these stack with grants or tuition assistance?

Often yes. Coordinate with your financial aid office so funds apply in the most helpful order.

Written by TCM Staff