Scholarships and Education Grants for Single Mothers in New York

Where to start

Work through the main aid sources before spending hours on scholarship searches. Public and school aid is usually more reliable than private awards.

For wider state help, use ASMOM’s New York assistance guide. The New York child care guide and New York transportation guide can help make attendance possible.

Quick reference for 2026–2027

Scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans

Ask the school to separate grants and scholarships from loans. Never pay a fee to file FAFSA or to receive a guaranteed scholarship list.

Federal aid to check first

FAFSA and Pell Grants

The 2026–2027 FAFSA covers attendance from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The federal deadline is June 30, 2027, but school and campus funds may run out earlier.

The Federal Pell Grant has a 2026–2027 maximum of $7,395. Your amount depends on the Student Aid Index, cost of attendance, enrollment level, and remaining lifetime eligibility.

A student who has children receiving more than half of their support from the student may be treated as independent for FAFSA. Answer every dependency question exactly. If family contact is unsafe or impossible, contact the financial aid office instead of guessing.

FSEOG and work-study

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant funds go to schools for students with exceptional need. Awards are limited, so ask the aid office whether the school participates and whether funds remain.

Federal Work-Study provides wages through an approved job. It is not paid in one lump sum. Ask about remote work, evening hours, campus jobs near child care, and positions related to your program.

When income has changed

If 2024 tax information no longer reflects your life because of job loss, separation, reduced hours, death, or high uninsured medical costs, submit FAFSA and then request a special-circumstances review. The school may ask for proof and decide whether an adjustment is allowed.

New York State grants and scholarships

Tuition Assistance Program

The TAP program provides annual tuition awards from $1,000 to $5,665. For an independent undergraduate with tax dependents, the current New York net taxable income limit is $125,000. Other student categories use different limits.

TAP can now support eligible full-time, part-time, and approved non-degree students. Beginning with 2025–2026, the old Aid for Part-Time Study path was folded into Part-Time TAP. Degree students taking at least 3 but fewer than 12 applicable credits may qualify under the current Part-Time TAP rules.

The Non-Degree TAP program supports eligible part-time workforce credentials at participating SUNY and CUNY colleges. Awards are adjusted for credits and tuition.

Excelsior Scholarship

The Excelsior application is open through August 31, 2026. It is a last-dollar tuition scholarship for eligible SUNY and CUNY students with household federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less.

Students generally must enroll full time and complete 30 program credits per year. HESC allows certain interruptions, including parental leave to care for a newborn and documented care for an immediate family member. Contact the college quickly if one of these situations affects enrollment.

Recipients must live in New York after graduation for the same number of years they received the scholarship and work in New York if employed. Leaving early can convert part of the award into a no-interest loan.

Other current state awards

• Enhanced Tuition Awards can provide up to $6,000 toward tuition at participating private New York colleges. The 2026–2027 deadline is August 31, 2026.
• NYS STEM Incentive is open through August 15, 2026, for eligible graduating seniors in the top 10% of their New York high school class who enter approved SUNY or CUNY STEM study.
• The NYS DREAM Act provides an alternate path to state aid for eligible students who cannot use the standard citizenship or residency path.

Free community college for adult learners

The New York State Opportunity Promise is one of the most important new options for adult single mothers. It covers remaining tuition, fees, books, and supplies after other aid for eligible adults in approved high-demand associate degree programs.

SUNY Reconnect

SUNY Reconnect serves New York residents ages 25 through 55 who do not already have a college degree and enroll full time or part time in an approved high-demand field. Starting in fall 2026, eligible nursing students may qualify even with a prior degree.

CUNY Reconnect

CUNY Reconnect offers Opportunity Promise programs across more than 120 approved associate degree paths. Current rules include age 25 through 55, no prior postsecondary degree, New York residency or in-state tuition eligibility, and at least 6 credits per semester and 12 per academic year.

This aid is not a payment for rent or child care. Ask the campus whether emergency grants, public benefits screening, flexible classes, and student-parent support can cover the remaining barriers.

Campus programs that lower the real cost

Some of the best support does not appear as a scholarship on the tuition bill. Ask financial aid, student affairs, and the basic-needs office about these programs.

• SUNY EOP provides admission access, advising, academic support, and financial help for students who meet educational and economic rules.
• New York HEOP supports eligible students at participating independent colleges with academic and financial services.
• CUNY ASAP and ACE may provide advising, tuition-gap help, textbook support, and unlimited-ride OMNY cards for eligible students.
• CUNY Reconnect also lists completion, forgiveness, and retention grants for some returning adult students with old balances or an unexpected tuition problem.

Ask the school about emergency grants, completion grants, food pantries, laptop loans, book lending, health services, legal clinics, and flexible payment plans. For living-cost help outside school, use ASMOM’s New York housing guide, New York health guide, and New York community guide.

Child care while you attend school

New York’s Child Care Assistance Program may help eligible low-income families pay some or all child care costs when the parent has an approved reason for care, including some education or training situations. Local social services districts manage applications. New York City applicants use MyCity, and Schenectady County uses its local portal.

The federal CCAMPIS program funds campus-based child care for low-income student parents at participating colleges. Students do not apply to the federal government. Ask the campus child care center or financial aid office whether the school has CCAMPIS support.

Child care openings can be limited. Apply early and ask whether care covers labs, clinical hours, evening classes, study time, and school breaks.

Workforce training and tuition-free programs

A short certificate may fit better than a degree, but check that the training leads to a recognized credential and real jobs before enrolling.

Use the New York Department of Labor Career Center locator to ask about Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act training, job search help, and local supportive services. Funding depends on local rules, approved providers, job demand, and available money.

SUNY Educational Opportunity Centers offer tuition-free academic and workforce programs in several urban areas. Programs differ by center and may include high school equivalency, health careers, technology, skilled trades, and college preparation.

If public benefits are part of your school plan, ASMOM’s New York TANF guide explains employment and training support that may apply through a local district.

Verified private scholarships for some mothers

Private awards are worth checking after FAFSA, TAP, and school aid. They are competitive and should not be your only plan.

Documents and information to gather

Start applications even if one item is missing. Ask what other proof is accepted. ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you organize one secure folder.

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