Being a working mother is never easy; or if you work and have family needs to attend to, or are trying to get ahead for yourself through education, it’s even harder. But the cost of returning to school or the cost of advancing your career does not have to keep you back.
Working mothers can get numerous grants and scholarships to ensure their success in both education and career ambitions. These working mothers scholarships will provide the monetary help you need to move forward in your profession, enhance your educational qualifications, or just give you a better future for you and your family.
Here are some of the most popular scholarships for working mothers in 2026, including national awards, career-specific scholarships, and federal and state grants.
Top National Scholarships for Working Mothers
Many of the scholarships for working mothers mentioned here are well-established and recurring programs. These are some of the best national single and working moms scholarships that are available to women who want to further their education.
1. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards offer up to $16,000 to women who are the main breadwinners in their families. This award aims to support women who need to better their lives by educating and progressing their careers. The mission of Soroptimist is to empower women and girls, and this award contributes to this goal, as it assists these women in their education.
Eligibility:
- Must be a woman and the primary financial supporter for herself and her dependents
- Accepted to or enrolled in a vocational/undergraduate programme
- Must be motivated to pursue educational and career goals
- Be a resident of a Soroptimist International of the Americas member country/territory
- Must not be enrolled in or pursuing a graduate degree
- Not a Soroptimist member, employee, or immediate family member
- Original essay responses must be submitted without AI assistance.
Deadline: November 15, 2026
2. Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation
This foundation awards up to $5,000 for low-income mothers attending college for the first time or going through technical training. These graduate scholarships for working moms are designed to assist moms who have a desire to create a better life for themselves and their children, and who are passionate about education.
Eligibility:
- Woman aged 17 or older
- Mother to a child or children under the age of 18
- Pursuing a degree at a nonprofit, U.S. institution of higher education
- Coming from a low-income family
Deadline: August 01, 2026
3. Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund supports women aged 35 or older with low income who wish to return to school for an undergraduate degree. The fund provides awards of up to $500 to help women achieve their educational goals and build a better future for themselves and their families.
Eligibility:
- Aged 35 or older
- Identify as a woman or nonbinary (including trans, intersex, agender, and queer people)
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Pursuing a post-high school/GED certificate, technical, vocational, associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree
- Enrolled in or accepted to a not-for-profit institution accredited by an eligible agency
- Demonstrates financial need based on household income and size
Deadline: February 16, 2027
4. P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education
For women whose education was interrupted, the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education offers need-based grants of up to $3,000. These scholarships for working women are designed to help women return to school to support themselves or their families and further their education in a way that fits their current life situation.
Eligibility:
- You need to be enrolled in a certification or degree program at an accredited U.S. or Canadian school.
- You should be within 18 months of finishing your program.
- You must have at least 24 months (in a row) when you weren’t a student during your adult life.
- There are some other eligibility requirements you’ll need to meet, too.
Deadline: Varies
5. Scholarship4Moms
The Scholarship4Moms is an annual $10,000 scholarship open to all mothers (single or married) and pregnant women. These are perfect scholarships for working mothers who work and want to further their education but require financial backing.
Eligibility:
- Legal residents of the U.S. in 50 states and the D.C. who are 18 years old at the time of entry.
- Should be either attending college or university in the United States or intending to attend college or university in the United States within a period of 3 months.
- You have to be a mother or a pregnant mother.
- No employees, officers, or directors of FCS/Scholarships4Moms or their close family or household members are eligible.
- Must comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
- Participation is to approve the decisions of the Official Rules and Sponsor, which are final.
- Unavailable outside the U.S. and in those States where illegal.
Deadline: April 15th, 2026
Scholarships for Working Mothers for Specific Careers or Situations
Some scholarships cater to working mothers pursuing specific fields or circumstances. Below are some specific scholarships for working mothers that may help you take steps toward your desired area.
1. Jennifer Gephart Memorial Working Mothers Scholarship
The Jennifer Gephart Memorial Working Mothers Scholarship awards up to $3,000 to working mothers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their families and education. These are special scholarships for working mothers who are committed to striking a balance between family and their educational ambitions.
Eligibility:
- You must be a female and either in high school (class of 2026), in vocational school, a community college, in a four-year college, graduate school, or pursuing a doctorate.
- Must be dedicated to advancing your current career or learning a new one.
- You need to be a mother.
- Your school must be located in the United States.
Deadline: May 11th, 2026
2. Tracey Johnson-Webb Adult Learners Scholarship
The Tracey Johnson-Webb Adult Learners Scholarship offers $2,500 to students aged 40 or older who are working full-time while also parenting. These scholarships for working mothers are aimed at those who want to advance their education while managing the demands of a full-time job and family life.
Eligibility:
- You can be in high school, college, or grad school, or even pursuing a trade.
- This is for women based in the United States.
- You need to be committed to advancing your current career or learning a new one.
- Most importantly, you must be a mother.
Application Deadline: The scholarship typically starts accepting applications about 3-4 months before the deadline. The application deadline for this scholarship is August 1st, 2026, and the information shown is based on the previous year’s details.
3. Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)
WISP is specifically designed for single mothers who are survivors of intimate partner violence. These scholarships for working moms going back to school provide $500 to $2,000 in financial assistance to women who need to rebuild their lives through education.
Eligibility:
- You need to reside in the U.S. or its territories.
- You must have been physically apart from your abuser for a minimum of one year and a maximum of ten years.
- Must be a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
- You must have applied to or been admitted to an accredited program of study in the U.S.
- You will be required to demonstrate strong financial need based on your income.
Deadline: March 01, 2026
4. Return2College Scholarship
The Return2College Scholarship is designed specifically for nontraditional students, including work-at-home parents who are going back to school after a break. These scholarships for working mothers can be used for tuition, books, or educational supplies, up to $1,000.
Eligibility:
- Must be currently attending or planning to attend a two-year or four-year college, or graduate school within the next 12 months.
- Applicants must be 17 years or older.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- The award can be used for full-time or part-time study, either on-campus or online.
Essay Requirement:
- Write a three-sentence essay on the topic: “Why are you getting your degree?”
Deadline: September 30, 2026
5. Poynter Scholarship
These scholarships for single working mothers are designed to help parents and working single moms pursue their individual academic interests with the added bonus of influencing the educational goals of their children. This scholarship offers up to $2,000 to assist parents with tuition and educational costs.
Eligibility:
- You have to be a graduate or an undergraduate student.
- Your GPA Is 2.8 or Above.
- You must be a single parent with a child or children who are school-aged.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- The award is open to full-time and part-time students, and you can apply it towards studies at an on-campus or online school.
Also, you are required to submit a three-sentence essay for the question: “Why are you getting your degree?”
Deadline: April 2, 2026
6. Jennifer D. Hale Memorial Scholarship
The Jennifer D. Hale Memorial Scholarship honours the memory of a dedicated mother and provides up to $1,000 for working mothers who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to their families and education. These working moms scholarships are aimed at mothers who are dedicated to furthering their education to improve their families’ lives.
Eligibility:
- You must be a female student.
- You should be either a high school senior (Class of 2026), a community college student, or a college student (4-year program).
- Your major must be in Nursing, or you must be planning to major in it.
- You must be a teen mom or a former teen mom.
Deadline: May 22, 2026
7. Mom to Scholar” Scholarship for Mothers
The “Mom to Scholar” Scholarship for Mothers is a fantastic opportunity for mothers balancing parenthood with a desire to further their education. These college scholarships for working mothers provide $1,000 in financial aid to mothers who are looking to return to school or continue their studies while raising a family.
Eligibility:
- You need to be 35 years old or older.
- You must demonstrate financial need.
- Must attend a university, a four-year college, a two-year college, or a vocational-tech school
- Must not be attending high school currently
- You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have DACA status.
Deadline: The 2026 application for the ‘Mom to Scholar’ scholarship closed on January 31, 2026, but the next cycle is expected to open in January 2027
For Nursing Scholarships for Working Mothers
If you are a working mother and want to further your career in nursing, a few options are available to you. Go to the AACN Nursing Scholarships page and find out which scholarships for working mothers can provide assistance to nursing students who have to reconcile family life and their education.
For MBA Scholarships for Working Mothers
If you’re aiming to pursue an MBA while managing your responsibilities as a mother, there are ba scholarships for working moms designed to assist you in achieving your educational and professional goals. Visit MBA Scholarships for Women to find scholarship opportunities specifically for women pursuing MBA programs.
Federal & State Education Grants for Working Moms
Besides Scholarships for moms going back to school, there are also a number of government-based programs that offer financial support to students, including working moms. These state and federal educational grants are one of the best places to get a free education.
1. Federal Grants for Working Mothers
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is the largest federal grant, providing up to $7,395 during its award year of 2026-27. It is given to students of exceptional financial need and does not have to be repaid. This grant is open to every mothers who can prove their financial need.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG provides an annual award of $100- $4,000 to undergraduate students with the greatest financial need. This grant could be a good choice if you are a working mother and your income is low.
TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant provides up to $4000 annually to those students planning to teach in low-income, high-need fields. This grant could assist you in paying your tuition and contribute to underserved communities if you are interested in a career in education.
WV Invests Grant
The WV Invests Grant is a state-specific initiative that provides full tuition assistance to high-demand certificate or associate programs in West Virginia. If you are a working mom in West Virginia, you can enjoy your educational aspirations with this grant without bearing huge financial costs.
2. Childcare & Support Grants for Working Mothers
Working mothers may find it challenging to continue with their education due to childcare expenses. Luckily, a number of programs can help cover the childcare expenses during school time.
Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS)
The CCAMPIS is a federal program that offers financial assistance to colleges that cater to or set up childcare facilities on campus for low-income parents. This program is established to assist working mothers in receiving quality childcare services during their school attendance.
Working Family Funding
Working Family Funding provides special government-provided childcare services to working parents, up to 30 hours of free childcare. The April 2026 cycle application deadline is March 31, 2026, so remember to apply early.
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
The CCDF is another program run by the state that offers financial support to parents so they can work or attend school while their children are in care. This is another good program to consider for working mothers who have difficulties with childcare costs.
How to Apply for Grants and Scholarships for Working Mothers
Applying for grants and college scholarships for mothers can seem a complicated task, but the process can be divided into small steps to enable you to remain organised and increase your chances of being successful.
To apply for grants and scholarships for working mothers, take the following steps:
- Research: First, find scholarships that match your background, career objectives, and financial status. Search using a reliable scholarship engine and websites (such as Fastweb, Scholarships.com, or College Board).
- Prepare Documents: Prepare required documents, including evidence of enrollment, transcripts, financial statement, recommendation letters, and personal statements.
- Complete Applications: Fill out every part of the application; follow all instructions, and provide information correctly.
- Submit Essays or Personal Statements: Some scholarships for working mothers need essays, and thus take time to come up with a strong narrative of why you are worthy of the scholarship.
- Double-Check Deadlines: Remember deadlines and ensure you do not miss them.
- Submit Applications: Once everything is ready, submit your applications and keep track of confirmations.
- Follow Up: After submitting, check your application status and address any additional requirements.
Where to Find More Scholarships for Working Mothers
The following are some other sites where you can get legit scholarships for full time working moms.
- Scholarship Search Engines: Websites like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and Cappex offer comprehensive databases of grants and scholarships for working mothers.
- College Websites: Look at your school’s financial aid page for any scholarships that may be available to working moms or non-traditional students.
- Community Organisations: There are many local groups, such as churches, community organisations, and local foundations, that provide scholarships for moms going back to school.
- Professional Associations: Depending on your career or area of study, seek out professional associations that offer scholarships (e.g, nursing associations, business organisations, or tech groups).
- State and Federal Grants: If you’re looking for government-sponsored grants, try GovLoans.gov or the Federal Student Aid site for finding grants like the Pell Grant.
- Employer-Based Scholarships: Many companies provide education assistance to their employees. If you work full-time and are a mother, ask your employer’s human resources department if they offer tuition reimbursement, scholarships for working mothers, or grants to employees seeking further education.
Final Thoughts on Scholarships for Working Mothers
With the abundance of financial aid, grants, and scholarships for working mothers available in 2026, working moms have a plethora of options to pursue higher education and better their lives. These types of programs can assist with the cost of tuition, books, and even childcare, so you can focus on the most important thing: accomplishing your education and career goals.
Don’t let the challenges of balancing work and family hold you back. Take advantage of these scholarships and grants for working moms to help make your dreams a reality.
