A part of the Sunshine Lady Foundation, the Women's Independence Scholarship Program, or WISP, offers single mothers the chance to attend college for a first degree. Founded in 1993, the Sunshine Lady Foundation is a privately funded organization. The WISP portion of the program was born in 1999 and works only with women who are survivors of abuse by a partner. Scholarships are offered only to those working on a first degree, are United States citizens, have a deep need for financial assistance and have applied or are attending a United States college. Women in the program must be separated from the abuser for at least a year and take part in domestic violence programs for at least six months.
Single mothers are often the primary financial support system for their families. They may receive child support from the children's father, but it is often not enough. These women can turn to Soroptimist for help with college so they can get a better-paying job. This program is only available to women who are the primary or sole provider for their families. The main purpose is to provide these women the opportunity to attend a vocational or technical school or an undergraduate college.
The American Association of University Women, or AAUW, is a network of donors, members and colleges that strive to help women with their college education. The AAUW offers scholarships and grants each year that can help a single mother further her education and career so she can provide for her family. For instance, the career development grant serves to help women who may already have a degree and need to return to work. This is often the case with single mothers who have recently divorced or separated. The money can be used to take classes to improve her odds of finding a job in her chosen field. Several other grants are available, including the community action grant, American fellowship and selected professions fellowship.
Just like everyone else, single mothers can receive grants and educational funds from the federal government. Filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid can open her up to receiving multiple types of financial aid from the government, including grants and student loans. The government offers Pell grants specifically for single mothers that help these women to get the education they need to get a job that pays well enough to support their families. These grants do not need to be repaid after schooling is complete.