Scholarships Designed to Help Single Parents
- David A. Hicks Memorial Scholarship
- Dr. Wynette A. Frazier “Sister to Sister” Scholarship
- Ellen M. Cherry-Delawder Memorial Scholarship
- Single Parent Scholarship
- Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Award
It used to be nearly impossible for single parents to pursue an education. This left them stranded in a catch-22, unable to provide everything they hoped for their family and yet unable to progress in a career in order to change their situation. With the rise of distance learning, night courses, and childcare options, this goal has become much more in reach. It still poses a financial burden, but scholarships such as these five were created to help people like single parents fund their academic journeys.
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1. David A. Hicks Memorial Scholarship
David Hicks was a promising student who passed away from cancer before he was able to realize his full potential. Rather than bow down to their grief, his friends, family, and colleagues established the David A. Hicks Memorial Scholarship. This $1800 award is given to one student each year. The foundation extends the application to any student who has had to overcome an obstacle or adversity in order to pursue their academic dreams.
2. Dr. Wynette A. Frazier “Sister to Sister” Scholarship
The more minority groups a person identifies with, the more challenges they face in the world of academia. This puts African American single mothers at a triple disadvantage. The Dr. Wynette A. Frazier “Sister to Sister” Scholarship was established to help these women in particular. Two $500 awards are gifted annually to an African American woman who has been forced to delay her educational pursuits in favor of fulfilling obligations to family.
3. Ellen M. Cherry-Delawder Memorial Scholarship
Another scholarship dedicated specifically to single women is the Ellen M. Cherry-Delawder Memorial Scholarship. Applicants must be female students who demonstrate financial need, hold a GPA of 2.0 or higher, and have dependent children. The application requires a 500-word essay on career and education goals and how the applicant believes a college education will benefit her. The amount and number of awards varies each year.
4. Single Parent Scholarship
The Single Parent Scholarship says it all right there in the name. The Custody X Change Giving Fund created this award to assist single parents who have primary physical custody of their child or children. Applicants must be enrolled full time at an accredited institution and either be in their first semester or hold a GPA of at least 3.0, or the international equivalent. Three $1000 awards are given to students around the world each year.
5. Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Award
The Soroptimist Club knows that women who play the role of sole providers for their families typically put their own educational and career dreams on the back burner. This is why they established the Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Award. All you need to apply is a dream and to be the primary financial provider for your family. Two awards are given annually, with the amount varying each year.
It takes courage and dedication to be a single parent, not to mention organizational skills and a great deal of empathy. While these qualities also make single parents excellent candidates for pursuing a college education and advanced careers. Scholarships such as these five were created to ease the financial burden of higher education that plagues single parents in particular.
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