Scholarships for Young Mothers

As a young mother, one of the last things on your mind may be going to college. Financial considerations, as well as a desire to care for your children personally, are just two possible reasons that you might believe a higher education is an impossible dream. However, a number of organizations are willing to help mothers, single or married, attain their dreams of higher education. While the process of applying for a scholarship may seem daunting, remember that your continued perseverance may be one of the best lessons you can teach your child.

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund may enable you as a young mother to pursue higher education. You must be single and have primary custody of at least one child. Single parents who already have earned a bachelor’s degree cannot apply.

Eligible applicants pursue awards through their Arkansas county of residence. Typical requirements include eligibility for a Pell Grant from the federal government. The amount and number of awards offered varies each year and depends upon available funding in each county. Many counties offer three application deadlines each year, making it easy for you to decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree program at any time of the year.

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund
614 East Emma Ave.
Suite 119
Springdale, AR 72764
479-927-1402
aspsf.org

Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation

The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation, created in honor of the late Hawaiian congresswoman, offers educational awards specifically earmarked for low-income mothers. In 2010, the program was expected to award five scholarships of $2,000 each. Unlike many other scholarship programs, you don’t have to pursue a bachelor’s degree to be eligible to apply for an award. The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation is willing to cover expenses related to vocational training, according to the program website. This might be a great option if you’re interested in increasing your family’s income but are hesitant to devote four or more years of college study because of your child care responsibilities. If you already finished a bachelor’s degree and have dreamed of pursuing master’s or doctoral studies, this scholarship program can also accept your application.

Also, the foundation is willing to cover costs related to pursuing a high school equivalency certificate (GED) or English as a Second Language courses. Additional news related to this program is you don’t have to be 18 years old to apply; the Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation accepts applications from 17-year-old mothers.

Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation
P.O. Box 769
Granby, MA 01033
(telephone number unpublished)
patsyminkfoundation.org

The R.O.S.E. Fund

The R.O.S.E. Fund offers several programs that may help young mothers who survived domestic violence who also plan to attend college in the New England region. Eighty percent of the scholarship awards are offered to single mothers who chose to pursue freedom from domestic violence for themselves as well as their children. The amount and number of awards offered varies each year. Application requirements include letters of recommendation, letters from non-relatives attesting to the fact that you escaped domestic violence at least a year ago and income documentation, such as copies of recent tax returns.

The R.O.S.E. Fund
200 Harvard Mill Square
Suite 310
Wakefield, MA 01880
617-482-5400
rosefund.org