Government Grants for Single Mothers

The struggle of the single mother can seem never-ending. Between bills, rent payments and the cost of childcare, it often feels like one paycheck is never enough.

Luckily, the government budgets a significant amount of money each year for people who truly need it, such as low-income single mothers. Government grants can help the hard-working mom make ends meet and take care of her children. Single mothers have many financial responsibilities, and government grants can give you the assistance you need to go back to school, pay overdue bills and even offset the cost of daycare.

How to Improve Your Chances

The first place to look for government grants is your local government office. Both state and federal offices are good places to start your search. Chat with the staff in a Human Services department about what programs are available to you. Make sure you understand the requirements and deadlines needed to receive the grant.

Sometimes, grants for single mothers will be reserved for women of a certain income level, ethnicity or other requirements. Others are given out on a first come, first served basis, and you will need to apply to them as quickly as possible. In most cases, you will need to write a personal essay explaining why you deserve the government grant. Even if you are not a gifted writer, you can get help making your essay shine through a writing center at your local library, community college or university.

Government Programs and Grants

One example of a government grant that can truly help the single mother is the Pell Grant, a federally funded program that enables low-income students to pay for the cost of college, including tuition, books and even the childcare that will be needed to allow a single mother to get to class.

Attending college can be one of the easiest ways to get a government grant. A Pell Grant can help a low-income single mother who wouldn’t normally be able to afford to go to college receive the financial assistance she deserves to increase her earning potential.

She can begin by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Many states also can supplement this federal grant with additional grants for education reserved for the single mom. Some are based on receiving good grades while others are truly dedicated to helping single parents with their educational needs.

The government also provides housing grants to single mothers through the HUD program, among others. These specialized loan programs, backed by the state or federal government, can guarantee a single mother the down payment on a home or to pay off some of the closing costs. There is plenty of information on this website about real estate grants for single mothers, some of which are subsidized by the government to make sure children are in quality homes.

Many times, receiving a grant is as simple as requesting one. As a single mother, you work hard while taking care of your children and you deserve a little assistance to give them the best shot at life that you can.