Every program here has been read, summarized, and double-checked by a human on our editorial team — not pulled from a scraped database. We list eligibility plainly, the real (not headline) award range, and the deadline you can plan around.
How to use this page
Federal cash assistance and work-support program administered by each state. Up to 60 lifetime months for most recipients.
Eligibility · Income below state limit · child in household · cooperation with work requirements (varies by state)
Award
$200–$1,100/mo
Deadline
Rolling — apply through state social services
Need-based grant for undergraduate education. Doesn't need to be repaid. Single mothers qualify based on EFC and dependent status.
Eligibility · Filed FAFSA · undergraduate without bachelor's degree · US citizen or eligible non-citizen
Award
Up to $7,395/year
Deadline
FAFSA opens Oct 1 — federal deadline June 30
Rental assistance covering the gap between 30% of your income and a fair-market rent ceiling. Long waitlists in most metros.
Eligibility · Income below 50% of area median · prioritization for families with children
Award
Subsidy averages $750/mo
Deadline
Rolling — waitlist via local PHA
Federal-state subsidy paying part or all of childcare for working/studying parents earning under 85% of state median income.
Eligibility · Working or in school · income under threshold · child under 13
Award
$250–$1,200/mo per child
Deadline
Rolling — apply through state CCDF office
Federal nutrition program providing food, formula, breastfeeding support, and health-care referrals to pregnant and postpartum women.
Eligibility · Pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum · income under 185% of poverty line · nutritional risk
Award
$50–$100/mo in food benefits
Deadline
Rolling — apply through state WIC office
Annual grant for low-income single mothers pursuing post-secondary education. Funded by the foundation since 2003.
Eligibility · Single mother with minor children · enrolled in education program · low-income household
Award
Up to $5,000
Deadline
August (annual)
A note on this directory · The grants and programs listed here are summarized from federal and state agency materials in plain language, but rules, award amounts, and deadlines change. Always verify with the program's official website before applying. SelfLoveMom is not a financial advisor, a tax professional, or a benefits navigator.
Find what you qualify for
Our grant-finder asks ten plain-English questions and returns the programs you most likely qualify for. Free, no email gate, runs in your browser.