One of the largest increase in scholarship awards is in scholarships for moms. In hard economic times, additional education may make the difference in being hired or spending months in the unemployment line. Moms everywhere are turning to scholarships and grants to help return to the classroom and brush up on their education and skills. More often, busy mom’s are using the internet to attend classes and continue their education from the comfort of their own home. Being a mom is a full time job, so taking the time to go to a campus several days a week may not be a reality for some full time mom’s.
Available Scholarships for Moms
The website Straigherline.com has a Mother’s Day Scholarship for working mom’s who want to enroll in their first semester of online courses. Applicants must submit a 200 word essay telling why returning to school is important to their family. The winner will receive a scholarship for $999 to pay for your Freshman year. Other scholarships available from Straightline.com include free enrollment fees and three runner up prizes of one free course. Application are due by June 1, 2011 and will be awarded June 15, 2011. Alternatively, you ca submit your essay to MomScholarship@straightline.com.
For the more traditional scholarships for mom, there are Federal funds such as Pell grants. Each year the Federal Government gives more that $150 billion in grants, loans and assistance aids. The Pell Grant is not a loan so it will never have to be repaid. If you are a mom who never attended college and would like to earn an undergraduate degree or a professional degree, then this is the best option for a scholarship. Since Pell Grants are need based, they are dependent on your financial situation and tuition costs. There is a minimum and maximum award which can be given in any year and it fluctuates from year to year. Pell Grants can be combined with other scholarship sources. Applications for Pell Grants are through FAFSA.ed.gov
For mom’s who have completed an undergraduate degree but have left school or the work force to be a full time mom, there are grants and fellowships for postgraduate work. Postgraduate degrees will help to propel your career back into the work force and expend your professional knowledge. The International Federation of University Women offers some fellowships and grants to women working on postgraduate research and study. These scholarships are offered in any field of study and are for a minimum of two months of work. Students are encouraged to study in a country other than the they reside in and can be used for independent research projects or to complete a postgraduate degree that you have previously started but were unable to finish.
National Awards are also granted for countries participating in the IFUW. The American Association Education Foundation is the US branch and it awards more than two million annually in scholarship, grants an stipends to moms and deserving women. Their next round of competitions open in 2012 and will cover the 2013/2014 school year.
With so many mom’s returning to campus, the workforce will become empowered with educated and self sufficient women. Mom’s know that being an educated and well informed citizen in the workplace and community will empower them to be self sufficient and also help set a positive example for their children. Women value education and the number of females enrolling in college classes is now far higher than males. Take advantage of these great opportunities to empower your self and your family and check out these scholarships for moms.
