With recent surveys indicating that nearly 38 percent of single parents live at or below the poverty level in the United States, more organizations are increasing their efforts for granting scholarships for single parents to continue their education for more promising career opportunities.
Although it can be extremely daunting to find money for college when spending time with children, running errands, and working long hours, there are luckily numerous associations that offer assistance in the form of scholarships for single fathers and scholarships for single mothers. In alphabetical order, the following is the second half (K-Z) of scholarship opportunities for single parents that can be used to cover the hefty price tag of a college education to achieve a more secure financial future for your children. For the first half of our list, see 25 Great Scholarships for Single Parents (A-J).
1. Kathryn Kyriopoulos Colemere Endowed Scholarships
Deadline: April 15th
Established in 2004 from a generous donation, Westminster College in Utah grants two Kathryn Kyriopoulos Colemere Endowed Scholarships each year for $1,500 a piece to undergraduate students who are single parents and demonstrate financial need. While preference is given to business, education, and nursing majors, all candidates are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and enrolled on at least a part-time basis.
Contact
Kathryn Kyriopoulos Colemere Endowed Scholarships
1840 South 1300 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105
(801) 832-2500
finaid@westminstercollege.edu
2. Kentucky Colonels Better Life Scholarship
Deadline: April 7th
Administered by the Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, the Kentucky Colonels Better Life Scholarship has the mission of addressing a void in the academic system by providing single working parents with children under the age of 12 the financial assistance needed to improve their education and build a quality growing atmosphere for their children. In order to be eligible for the $2,500 scholarship, candidates must be full-time students pursuing an associate’s degree at SKCTC and demonstrate financial need not met by other sources.
Contact
Kentucky Colonels Better Life Scholarship
700 College Rd.
Cumberland, KY 40823
(606) 589-3164
patty.sokolowski@kctcs.edu
3. Kinsey Determination Scholarship for the College of Business
Deadline: February 15th
At the University of Toledo, the Kinsey Determination Scholarship for the College of Business is granted annually to full-time undergraduate male students with a single mother who have lived the majority of their life without the presence of a father or male guardian. Although the scholarship is strongly based on financial need and requires the submission of a FAFSA application and completed IRS 1040 form, academic achievement and strong personal principles are also taken into consideration.
Contact
Kinsey Determination Scholarship for the College of Business
2801 West Bancroft St.
Toledo, OH 43606
(419) 530-8700
terribeth.gordon@utoledo.edu
http://www.utoledo.edu/financialaid/scholarships/coba.html
4. Lillie Hawkins Floyd Trust Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
Sponsored by Clemson University, the Lillie Hawkins Floyd Trust Scholarship is awarded annually for $3,500 to undergraduate students attending the university on a full-time basis who are single parents with a dependent child or children under the age of 18. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and stay unmarried to renew the scholarship each academic year.
Contact
Lillie Hawkins Floyd Trust Scholarship
G-01 Sikes Hall
Campus Box 345123
Clemson, SC 29634
(803) 656-2280
finaid@clemson.edu
5. LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship
Deadline: March 31st
At Holyoke Community College, the LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship is awarded to freshmen and sophomore students who are single parents and interested in pursuing a career in business, finance, banking, or accounting. Along with the completed application, it is required that students file a current FAFSA form with the financial aid office, submit a copy of their most recent tax return, compose a personal essay, and provide at least one reference letter.
Contact
LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship
303 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 552-2182
scholarshiphelp@hcc.edu
6. Marie C. and Joseph C. Wilson Foundation Endowed Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
As a scholarship for single dads and a scholarship for single moms, the Marie C. and Joseph C. Wilson Foundation Endowed Scholarship is available to students at Monroe Community College who are single parents and demonstrate financial need for tuition assistance. In order to receive the $1,000 scholarship, eligible candidates must be registered for six or more credit hours each semester and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Contact
Marie C. and Joseph C. Wilson Foundation Endowed Scholarship
1000 East Henrietta Rd.
Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 262-1670
financialaid@monroecc.edu
7. Mollie Wilson Single Parent Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
At the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith, the Mollie Wilson Single Parent Scholarship is granted to male and female undergraduate students who are single parents with a strong academic record. Eligible candidates for the $1,000 scholarship must have never attended college before or are returning to college after several years out, be currently enrolled, have completed at least 30 credit hours at UAFS, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Contact
Mollie Wilson Single Parent Scholarship
5210 Grand Avenue
P.O. Box 3649
Fort Smith, AR 72913
(479) 788-7090
finaid@uafs.edu
8. Myra Fox Skelton Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
Each year, the Myra Fox Skelton Foundation Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate single parents enrolled full-time at the University of Wyoming-Casper College Center to help reduce the number of hours they must work to support their dependent children. Eligible candidates must be pursuing a UW degree, be classified as a junior or senior student, and have demonstrated promise of academic excellence. Recipients of the award are required to participate in a community service activity and submit written documentation of service at the end of both semesters.
Contact
Myra Fox Skelton Foundation Scholarship
125 College Drive
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 268-2713
os-uwcc@uwyo.edu
9. Nancy Bean Costco Scholarship
Deadline: March 14th
Similar to many other scholarships for single parents, the Nancy Bean Costco Scholarship provides financial help to single mothers and fathers who are going back to school or receiving training to reenter the workplace at Bellevue College in Washington. Eligible applicants for the $3,000 renewable scholarship must be currently enrolled in the college’s Information Technology (IT) program, be a single parent with primary custodial care of children under the age of 18, and demonstrate financial need.
Contact
Nancy Bean Costco Scholarship
3000 Landerholm Circle SE
Bellevue, WA 98007
(425) 564-2279
careers@bellevuecollege.edu
10. New Beginnings Scholarship
Deadline: March 7th
At Illinois Valley Community College, the New Beginnings Scholarship is offered annually to female freshmen and sophomore undergraduate students who are the heads of their household with a dependent child or children under their primary custody. In order to be eligible for this need-based scholarship for single mothers, candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, be enrolled full-time with 12 or more credit hours, and submit documentation showing financial need on the FAFSA form.
Contact
New Beginnings Scholarship
815 North Orlando Smith Rd.
Oglesby, IL 61348
(815) 224-0264
Melissa_McBride@ivcc.edu
11. Nobuko R. Kodama Fong Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Sponsored by the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the Nobuko R. Kodama Fong Memorial Scholarship is granted to qualified members who are undergraduate students and are solely provided for by a single parent. While preference is given to candidates from the Pacific Northwest District, selection for the $1,000 to $5,000 scholarship is based upon a personal statement, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, previous work experience, and community service involvement.
Contact
Nobuko R. Kodama Fong Memorial Scholarship
1765 Sutter St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 345-1075
ncwnp@jacl.org
http://www.jacl.org/edu/scholar.htm
12. O’Gorman Family Scholarship
Deadline: March 2nd
Each year, the O’Gorman Family Scholarship is awarded to one male student and two female students who are single parents enrolled full-time at Fresno City College with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and financial need. Along with the completed application for this scholarship for single parents, eligible candidates must submit a GPA verification form or prior college transcripts, two electronic letters of recommendation, and a one-page personal statement describing educational and career goals.
Contact
O’Gorman Family Scholarship
Student Services Room ST-201
1101 East University Ave.
Fresno, CA 93741
(559) 442-8245
cathie.johnson@fresnocitycollege.edu
13. Orrin L. Dayton Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
At Dowling College on Long Island, the Orrin L. Dayton Memorial Scholarship is granted to full-time undergraduate students who were raised in a single parent family residing within Suffolk County of New York. Since the scholarship for single parents is based on financial need and academic achievement, it is required that all candidates have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better for at least 30 or more earned credits at Dowling.
Contact
Orrin L. Dayton Memorial Scholarship
150 Idle Hour Blvd.
Oakdale, NY 11769
(631) 244-3013
finaid@dowling.edu
14. Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: August 1st
As one of the most prominent scholarships for single moms, the Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation offers five scholarships annually of $3,000 each to assist low-income women with children who are pursuing education or training at any accredited institution within the United States. Available at the vocational, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree levels, eligible applicants for the award must be at least 17 years old, a mother with minor dependent children, enrolled in an accredited program full-time, and be low-income with an annual family income less than $24,000.
Contact
Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship
P.O. Box 479
Honolulu, HI 96809
15. Peggy A. Stock Presidential Scholarship
Deadline: February 15th
In honor of her service as president of Westminster College from 1995 to 2002, the college awards two Peggy A. Stock Presidential Scholarships for $5,000 each to undergraduate students who are single parents with strong academic backgrounds. For non-traditional candidates who can demonstrate significant financial need to attend Westminster and provide for their children, it is required that students are enrolled full-time with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Contact
Peggy A. Stock Presidential Scholarship
1840 South 1300 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105
(801) 832-2500
finaid@westminstercollege.edu
16. Ralph and Esther Brasher Scholarship
Deadline: February 21st
Sponsored by the Southwestern Illinois College Foundation, the Ralph and Esther Brasher Scholarship is offered to single parents who are the primary caregiver of a child living at home. Granted to both full-time and part-time students on renewable terms, one award will be worth $1,000 and two awards will be valued at $500 each. Although financial need is taken into consideration for the scholarship, it is not an exclusionary factor in the selection.
Contact
Ralph and Esther Brasher Scholarship
2500 Carlyle Avenue
Belleville, IL 62221
(618) 235-2700 ext. 5215
sandy.billhartz@swic.edu
17. Ray S. Shoemaker Scholarship
Deadline: July 15th
Established by the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, the Ray S. Shoemaker Scholarship is awarded to single parents who attended Harrisburg City Public Schools, including Harrisburg High School, Dauphin County Technical School, SciTech High School, Susquehanna Township School, Steelton-Highspire School, and Central Dauphin High School. Eligible undergraduate and graduate candidates must attend college on a full-time basis, have financial need, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher throughout college to receive payments.
Contact
Ray S. Shoemaker Scholarship
200 North Third Street 8th Floor
P.O. Box 678
Harrisburg, PA 17108
(717) 236-5040
allison@tfec.org
18. Redi-Tag Corporation Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
Each year, the Foundation of Research and Education (FORE) of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) administers the Redi-Tag Corporation Scholarship to outstanding undergraduate students who are single parents. In order to be eligible for the award ranging in value from $1,000 to $5,000, candidates must be enrolled in a health administration or health technology program accredited by the AHIMA, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher, and be enrolled in at least six semester hours.
Contact
Redi-Tag Corporation Scholarship
51 Century Blvd. Suite 250
Nashville, TN 37214
(800) 421-7585
info@reditag.com
19. Sara Meador Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
At the main Stillwater campus of Oklahoma State University, the Sara Meador Scholarship is offered to undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled on a full-time basis within the College of Human Environmental Sciences with a major in Design, Housing, or Merchandising. Although it is not required, preference will be given to students working in historic costume as well as those who are single parents with high academic standing.
Contact
Sara Meador Scholarship
107 Whitehurst St.
Stillwater, OK 74078
(405) 744-6604
finaid@okstate.edu
20. Shirley Ann Cismoski Scholarship
Deadline: February 1st
Offered by the University of Colorado Denver as a scholarship for single mothers, the Shirley Ann Cismoski Scholarship is granted to female students demonstrating financial need for returning to college to complete their higher education dreams. Exclusively offered to undergraduate and graduate students who qualify for Colorado in-state tuition, preference will be given to single mothers with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher who are enrolled in a minimum of nine credit hours part-time.
Contact
Shirley Ann Cismoski Scholarship
1250 14th St.
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217
(303) 352-3608
scholarship@ucdenver.edu
21. Soroptimist International Women’s Opportunity Awards
Deadline: December 1st
As a program from Soroptimist International of the Americas, the Women’s Opportunity Awards range in amounts from $3,000 to $10,000 to assist women who provide the sole source of financial support for their families. In order to receive this scholarship for single moms, eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need, be motivated to achieve their educational and career goals, be enrolled in or accepted to a vocational training or undergraduate degree program, and submit two reference forms.
Contact
Soroptimist International Women’s Opportunity Awards
1709 Spruce St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 893-9000
siahq@soroptimist.org
http://www.soroptimist.org/awards/awards.html
22. Turning Pointe Scholarship for Single Mothers
Deadline: March 8th
Within the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology at Minnesota State University in Mankato, the Turning Pointe Scholarship for Single Mothers intends to support single moms with one or more dependents who are currently enrolled with one of the CSET majors. Although there are no GPA requirements for the $1,000 award, eligible applicants must be enrolled on a full-time basis, strive to maintain high academic achievement, attend a scholarship workshop, and attach a current transcript with an essay describing career goals.
Contact
Turning Pointe Scholarship for Single Mothers
125 Trafton Science Center
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 389-1866
campushub@mnsu.edu
23. U.S. Bank Scholarship
Deadline: May 31st
Since college life is demanding enough, U.S. Bank has created a scholarship program that helps make money management easy for graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students who are the primary caregivers for dependent children. Eligible candidates must be United States citizens or permanent resident aliens, enrolled full-time at a participating two or four-year institution, and demonstrate financial need. Recipients of the $1,000 scholarships will be chosen at random annually.
Contact
U.S. Bank Scholarship
10205 Ditmars Blvd.
East Elmhurst, NY 11369
(800) 685-5065
financial.education@usbank.com
24. Waypoint Tribute to Women Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
Sponsored by the United Way of East Central Iowa, Waypoint Services Center provides the Tribute to Women Scholarship to single mothers who have struggled to overcome the daunting life challenges of domestic violence and/or homelessness. Eligible candidates for the award must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and demonstrate documented financial need. While one scholarship for $1,350 will be granted to a full-time student at Kirkwood Community College, any recipients who wish to continue for a bachelor’s degree can receive an additional $2,000 scholarship to attend Mount Mercy University.
Contact
Waypoint Tribute to Women Scholarship
318 Fifth St. Southeast
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
(319) 365-1458
acraft@waypointservices.org
25. Xcel Energy Single Parent Scholarship
Deadline: November 1st
Sponsored by Xcel Energy as the utility supplier of electric power services in Colorado, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire offers the Xcel Energy Single Parent Scholarship to female undergraduate junior and senior students who are unmarried mothers with one or more dependent children. Eligible candidates for the $1,000 award must be 25 years of age or older, be enrolled on a full-time basis at UWEC, and demonstrate financial need.
Contact
Xcel Energy Single Parent Scholarship
414 Nicollet Mall
P.O. Box 9477
Minneapolis, MN 55484
(800) 895-4999
finaid@uwec.edu
Overall, single parents no longer need to place their higher education dreams on the back burner from family obligations, hectic work schedules, and lack of funding because many organizations have created excellent scholarships for single dads and scholarships for single moms to overcome the financial burdens of attending college. If you are an unmarried parent seeking assistance, it is recommended that you check out these scholarships for single parents to receive the education necessary to build a career that will create greater opportunities for your children.
