Advice for applying to scholarships as a single mom?

My mom is a single parent, and I'm trying to help her look for scholarships that could assist her with returning to school or even ones that might benefit me indirectly. If anyone has gone through this process or knows about any organizations or specific scholarships aimed at single mothers, I'd love to hear your advice. How can they increase their chances of receiving a scholarship, and are there specific things they should highlight in their applications?

Absolutely, there are a number of scholarships available specifically for single parents returning to school. The good news is that various private organizations, non-profits, and colleges themselves offer such scholarships.

Some notable scholarships to look into:

1. The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation for Low-Income Women and Children

2. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards

3. The Ford Opportunity Program

4. The Women's Independence Scholarship Program

In terms of increasing their chances of receiving a scholarship, a few strategies can be helpful:

1. Unique Story: Many scholarship committees look for a unique story or a strong reason why the applicant needs and deserves the scholarship. Single mothers usually have compelling stories. Your mom's story could involve her dedication to improving the lives of her children, obstacles she's overcome, or her specific career goals that returning to school will help her achieve.

2. Activities: Volunteer work, part-time work, or other activities that highlight your mom's commitment, skills, or interests could be emphasized. Demonstrating engagement with her community or showcasing personal or professional skills can show that she's proactive and committed, which can help her case.

3. Applications: Encourage her to apply to as many scholarships as she's eligible for. Larger scholarships are obviously more competitive, so applying for smaller, less well-known scholarships in addition to the big ones can increase her chances of success.

4. Deadlines: Meeting the deadlines and following application instructions to the letter is crucial. It's helpful to keep an organized calendar or spreadsheet with all the deadlines and requirements for each scholarship.

Lastly, it’s important to deeply understand the purpose or mission of each scholarship. Many scholarships are set up to honor the memory or values of an individual or organization, so being able to relate personal experiences or aspirations to these specific values can be beneficial. I hope this information is helpful and best of luck to your mom in her endeavors.