Supporting Moms: Finding the Best Scholarships for Mothers

My mom is considering going back to school, and I've heard there are special scholarships available for mothers, sometimes called 'mom scholarships'. Does anyone have experience or know of good resources to help her find these opportunities? Are there particular types of scholarships that are more accessible for moms looking to further their education? Any insight would be super helpful as we're trying to plan.

It's wonderful that your mom is considering going back to school! There are indeed many scholarships specifically catered to moms and adult learners. Some scholarships are directed towards women or parents, so those might be a good starting point. The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation, for example, offers scholarships to women who are parents, while the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards aim to assist women who provide primary support for their families.

Another potential avenue would be through non-traditional student scholarships. Many schools and organizations offer these scholarships to students who are returning to school after a hiatus or starting at a later age.

Keep in mind that local community organizations, non-profit organizations, and even some companies offer scholarships for adult learners. Thus, researching organizations in your local area or your mom's field of interest would be beneficial.

Additionally, I recommend utilizing scholarship search engines like CollegeVine's (now Appily's) scholarship aggregate tool, which allows users to filter for different eligibility requirements, potentially helping you discover less-known scholarships.

Lastly, your mom should keep in mind that many standard financial aid routes, such as the FAFSA, are still open to her. These can offer a significant source of funds, especially for students demonstrating financial need.

Keep thorough and timely with your search as many scholarships have early deadlines. Best of luck to your mother on her educational journey!