Grants That Assist Black Mothers With Higher Education

There is grant money available for black mothers who would like to earn a college degree.

Earning a college degree can be a challenge for anyone, and especially for black mothers, who tend to be at a decided disadvantage in this area. Yet regardless of limited finances or any factor that may keep them from attending college, there are grants available to level the playing field in higher education for African American moms.

Sister Thea Bowman Foundation Grant

The Sister Thea Bowman Foundation chooses African American students to receive grants of $5,000 to $7,500 annually, based primarily on need, to be used toward tuition and fees at a four-year Catholic university, with some preference given to single black mothers. While applicants are not selected based on academic achievement, Thea Bowman Scholars are expected to maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and to remain in good standing while attending college. Candidates can apply directly to the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Educational Foundation.

ExxonMobil Grants For Women and Girls

ExxonMobil, through its many diversity initiatives, supports such organizations as the United Negro College Fund, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. Some grants are dispersed to students indirectly through these organizations; other grants are given directly to students. High school graduates, particularly women of color, and especially those wishing to study science or mathematics, can apply directly to their chosen ExxonMobil-supported program, such as the Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarship.

Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund

Named after the first woman ever to be elected to the U.S. Congress, the Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund seeks to provide low-income women over 35 with grants to help defray the cost of tuition and related expenses. Candidates are women with a vision of improving not only themselves through an undergraduate education or vocational technical program, but are women who also have a vision of how their education will add value to their families and communities. Interested applicants should apply directly to the Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund.

Talbots Scholarship Foundation

The Talbots Scholarship Foundation seeks to grant women who wish to attend college later in life the opportunity to do so. Grants are in the amount of $15,000 or $30,000, plus additional gifts to assist the recipient with books, supplies, resume assistance and basic wardrobe needs. Recipients are ultimately chosen based on a number of factors, including academic achievement, honors, community and extracurricular activities, work experience, and demonstrated leadership. Interested applicants should apply directly to Talbots.

References

• Thea Bowman Foundation: The Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation Application for Scholarship 2010
• ExxonMobil: Community & Society: Diversity and International Initiatives
• Rankin Foundation: Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund: Qualifications
• Talbots Scholarship Foundation: Program Information