Scholarships and Opportunities for African American Moms

Moms are some of the most hard-working people in the world. If you’re an African American mom, you know how challenging and rewarding it can be to raise children while simultaneously pursuing your education or career. In today’s economy, many African American mothers balance the responsibilities of raising children and the demands of a full-time job and other life endeavors. At the same time, these women are striving to expand their knowledge and skills by continuing their education. It’s no small feat, but with the right tools, resources, faith in GOD, and the willingness to work, anything is possible and achievable! Below are resources for African American moms looking to obtain their degrees or further their education. 

Grants for African American Moms

First, let’s talk about grants. Grants are funds that do not need to be repaid. These are often awarded to low-income students, women, students with disabilities, and African American students. Most of these grants are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are highly competitive, so be sure to check for these opportunities early in the process! Here are a few top grants for African American moms: 

• The W.E.B. Du Bois Scholarship is awarded to African American undergraduates studying African American studies. The award amount varies yearly but is generally between $500 and $2000. 
• The Charles George Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who show promise in the fields of journalism and communications. The award amount varies yearly but is generally between $500 and $2000.

Scholarships for Moms

And now, let’s talk about Scholarships for moms. Scholarships for moms are awarded to mothers who are continuing their education or training by taking full- or part-time classes. Most scholarships for moms require you to have at least one child under the age of 18. Others may require that you have a child with special needs or one who is disabled. Some scholarships for moms are awarded based on their financial condition. Other mom scholarships may be merit-based only, meaning you must demonstrate academic excellence to be a recipient of the scholarship. Again, since there are so many different scholarship opportunities for mothers, here are a few examples to help you get started:

• The Moms in Business Scholarship is awarded to mothers pursuing a business degree. 
• The Wellness Scholarship is awarded to mothers pursuing a degree in health and wellness.

Scholarships For Women and Moms of Color

And finally, let’s discuss Scholarships for women and moms of color! Many of these scholarships are combined with grants for women of color. There are few scholarship opportunities available to moms of color, but they do exist. If you are a mom of color, check out these scholarship opportunities: 

• The Margaret Young Scholars Program is awarded to African American and Asian-Pacific-American students pursuing a degree in education.
• The Dorothy Metcalf-Lindquist National Scholarship Program is awarded to unmarried African American and Native American women pursuing a degree in education. 
• The Hmong Women’s Scholarship Fund is awarded to women pursuing an undergraduate degree.

Tips For Applying to School as A Mom

If you are a mom attending school, no matter what your major or career path, consider applying for one of these extraordinary scholarship opportunities. There are a few things to remember when applying for scholarships as a mom: 

• Be sure to check all deadlines ahead of time to make sure you submit your application on time. 
• Follow the instructions carefully. Some scholarship applications may require you to submit a resume, a personal essay, or a letter of recommendation from your professor. If you have a child with special needs, make sure you are upfront about this in your essay. 
• Let your academic and professional achievements speak for themselves as you continue your journey toward achieving your dreams.

Becoming a mom is a beautiful and amazing experience, but it can be financially stressful, too. If you are a mom attending school, you may be eligible for scholarships awarded specifically to moms. There are many types of scholarships available to moms. Some scholarships are for African American moms, while others are for women of color. You can apply for scholarships by submitting an application and/or creating a profile on a website that hosts scholarship opportunities.

You can also use your network to find scholarship opportunities. This network includes asking your friends, family members, and other moms in your area if they know of any scholarships for which you can apply. If you are an African American mom pursuing a degree, you can apply for scholarships that are awarded to moms. There are various types of scholarship opportunities available to moms, including scholarships for African American moms, scholarships for women of color, and scholarships for women.

Article Written by: Leticia Starks-Underwood| Leticia Starks-Underwood is an educator, mentor, student, and author.  She holds a B.A. in Biblical Literature from Taylor University Upland, a Master’s and Doctorate in Christian Education from Cornerstone Bible College, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She currently is an educator at Cornerstone Christian College Prep Day and High School International in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is the Founder, and CEO of You Can Make It Books, LLC. She has published several books, including The You Can Make Series and The J & J Royal Kids Collections. She also serves as an international contributing writer for BlackNews.UK. You can follow her on Instagram @therealleticiastarksunderwood.