From Surviving to Thriving

Scholarship tips from Krystal

So many people want to see single moms and their children safe, secure, and successful! Scholarships are a wonderful opportunity, and a good place to start is your college's financial aid and scholarship office. Most colleges have online scholarship portals and release new opportunities each year, often around November 1. Ask lots of questions, like “What keywords should I use to find scholarships for my situation?” Record and share what you learn with others.

Personally, I had little success with large online scholarship websites. Many seemed to want my personal information and my money, and others used scholarships as cheap advertising to college students. None of them panned out. I don't recommend paying to apply (though I once paid to send a transcript, and it was worth it). Many college scholarships have extremely narrow requirements, but it may still be worth applying: one woman in her late sixties applied for a scholarship for orphans, since both her parents had passed away, and she got it!

I found it far more worthwhile to focus on local scholarships recommended by my single mom friends, state-specific scholarships in library reference books, and resources recommended by organizations that had already awarded me scholarships.

• Apply wisely. Focus on college and local scholarships rather than gimmicky national scholarship websites.
• Check out scholarship books at your local library, such as The Ultimate Scholarship Book, or request one through interlibrary loan. They list opportunities by state, subject, and eligibility.
• Stay organized. Track applications, deadlines, and awards in a Google Doc or Sheet, sorted by deadline.
• Save your essays. Many applications ask similar questions, so reuse and adapt your work.
• Write thank-you notes to the organizations that invest in your education.
• Keep applying! Some scholarships have surprisingly few applicants, especially those supporting single moms.

Scholarships take time and effort, but they can be worth thousands of dollars! Some students pay tuition upfront and are reimbursed when scholarship funds arrive after the semester. One scholarship said they have never turned down a single mother yet! A little persistence can open doors to a brighter future for you and your children.