According to its website, the Women's Independence Scholarship Program (WISP) has as its objective helping "survivors of intimate partner abuse obtain an education that will in turn offer them the chance to secure employment, personal independence and self sufficiency." Accordingly, the program offers financial assistance to full- and part-time students seeking to attend an accredited school. In order of preference, support is given first to women seeking to study at a state-supported community college; second, to those wishing to attend state-supported colleges or universities; third, to those hoping to attend technical or vocational schools; fourth to those who want to attend private schools; and, finally, to women seeking to attend proprietary schools--privately owned postsecondary schools that teach vocational skills, such as business, trade and correspondence. The requirements that applicants must meet in order to be eligible for financial assistance include having survived abuse from an intimate partner, having been separated from that abusive partner for a minimum of one year, having sought the help of a nonprofit domestic abuse agency for a minimum of six months, having a career plan and being a U.S. citizen or legal resident. According to the WISP website, "Special consideration will be given to those interested in using their education to further the rights of, and options for, women and girls."
Women's Independence Scholarship Program, Inc.
4900 Randall Parkway
Suite H
Wilmington, NC 28403
910-397-7742
wispinc.org
Raise the Nation is a nonprofit corporation that, according to its website, works to "provide economic support to single parent women who want to continue with their education or repay student loans." Raise the Nation offers a grant to single-parent women with student loan debt to repay who volunteer within their communities. Women who teach or work in another helping profession need not demonstrate any further volunteer work in order to be eligible. A scholarship is also available through Raise the Nation for single mothers who do not have the financial means to pursue a college degree.
Raise The Nation
P.O. Box 8058
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87198
505-265-1201
raisethenation.org
Soroptimist International, a volunteer organization seeking to improve the lives of women and girls, sponsors The Women's Opportunity Awards program each year. The awards program aids single mothers by providing financial aid that can be used toward tuition, textbooks, child care or transportation. Eligible applicants are women who are the main source of income for their families, can demonstrate financial need and have been accepted to or are enrolled in a vocational program or an undergraduate degree program.
Soroptimist International of the Americas
1709 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-893-9000
soroptimist.org