Scholarships and Education Grants for Single Mothers in Virginia

What has changed

Since this guide’s prior July 2026 review, the main September 15, 2026, Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) deadline has passed. A second fall-priority period also ended October 1. Students seeking spring 2027 support should ask their private college right away about the December 1 spring-only deadline and the rules for returning applicants. Late fall awards are not promised.

The 2027–28 FAFSA is now available for study from July 2027 through June 2028. The 2026–27 FAFSA remains the form for the current aid year. Virginia revised its child care subsidy guide effective August 27, 2026. Also, 211 Virginia changed live hours on September 27, 2026; the online resource search remains available around the clock.

Where to start

1. Pick a course with a clear goal

Choose a degree, certificate, trade, or license that fits your work plans. Check the total price, class times, travel, child care, course length, and whether employers accept the credential.

2. Fill out the right aid form

Use FAFSA if you are eligible. VASA is for certain Virginia students who cannot file FAFSA. Ask the aid office which form applies to you and what school deadlines remain.

3. Read your aid offer

Keep grants and scholarships separate from loans. Ask what you must still pay for tuition, books, tools, food, child care, and travel.

4. Set up family support

Ask the school about a parent-student program, flexible classes, emergency aid, and nearby care. Search the ASMOM national scholarship guide for more aid paths after checking school awards.

What each kind of education aid means

Virginia education aid at a glance

Start with FAFSA or VASA

FAFSA for federal and other aid

FAFSA can open the door to Pell Grants, federal student loans, work-study, and some Virginia and school aid. The federal Pell Grant page confirms a maximum of $7,395 for the 2026–27 award year. Your award depends on income and other FAFSA details, school cost, enrollment, program, and past Pell use.

Use the 2026–27 form for classes through June 2027 and the 2027–28 form for the next aid year. Ask the school which form covers a summer term. See the Virginia aid deadline list for school dates. Some priority deadlines may have passed, but do not assume all federal or school aid is gone. Contact the office promptly.

VASA for some students who cannot file FAFSA

The 2026–27 VASA application is open. It may help Virginia students who cannot file FAFSA, including some students with DACA or other immigration situations, if they meet state in-state tuition rules. VASA may lead to state and school aid. It does not give federal Pell Grants, federal work-study, or federal loans.

If you file both forms and have valid FAFSA results, Virginia colleges normally use the FAFSA results. If you are unsure which to complete, use SCHEV’s form guide and speak to the aid office before submitting. Students with questions about immigration or legal status should seek qualified advice; this article is not legal advice.

Virginia state grants and school aid

Many Virginia grants are awarded through the college, not a separate statewide payment office. Start with the SCHEV program list, then ask your school which programs it checks automatically and which need another form.

Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)

VGAP helps eligible Virginia residents with financial need at public colleges. Rules include full-time enrollment, graduation from a qualifying Virginia high school, and at least a 2.5 high school GPA. Some school-location exceptions exist. Continued awards have progress and class-level rules.

Important exception: Virginia’s current VGAP rules exclude people whose qualifying school credential is a GED. A GED does not stop you from seeking Pell, other Virginia aid, scholarships, or G3 if you qualify. Ask the school to check other programs instead of ruling out college aid.

Virginia Commonwealth Award

The Commonwealth Award helps students with financial need at Virginia public institutions. Your school checks the program rules, course load, financial need, and available funds. Ask whether your degree or certificate and enrollment level count.

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG)

VTAG is a separate, generally non-need-based state grant for eligible Virginia students at approved private colleges and universities. Ask the school for its current VTAG form and whether your program qualifies.

For 2026–27, September 15 was the main fall priority date, and the later fall application category ended October 1. For eligible spring-only applicants, the published deadline is December 1, 2026. Returning recipients may fall under different priority rules. Applying late does not ensure money; award amounts can change with funding and the number of students. Ask the school’s aid office which category applies to your case.

Two-Year College Transfer Grant

The Transfer Grant can help certain students who earn an associate degree at a Virginia public two-year college and move to an eligible four-year school by the following fall or spring. A 3.0 associate GPA, financial need, and full-time study are among the rules.

The base grant is set at up to $1,000 per year, with a possible extra award for certain science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, or teaching programs. Some school-based add-ons may also apply. Need-test terms have changed over time, so ask the receiving college to check the rule for your entry year; do not rely on an old FAFSA income or Student Aid Index cutoff.

G3, FastForward, and job training

G3 for approved community college courses

The Virginia G3 program helps eligible students in approved community college programs in fields such as health care, education, information technology, public safety, and skilled trades.

You generally need Virginia in-state tuition eligibility, household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, an approved program, an aid application, and at least six credits per term. G3 is last-dollar help: other grants count first. It may cover eligible tuition, fees, and some book costs. Some full-time Pell Grant recipients may qualify for added student support. Not every major or course is covered.

FastForward and the Workforce Credential Grant

Virginia’s Workforce Credential Grant helps with approved short noncredit career training, often called FastForward. Under the standard cost-sharing model, a student pays one-third when enrolling. State grant funds can cover up to two-thirds based on course and credential completion.

Check before you sign: The state rules say a student who does not complete the course may owe an added one-third. Ask about attendance, tests, withdrawals, repeats, refunds, total costs, and proof of the final credential.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services may also support approved training and related costs for eligible workers. Find a nearby office with the Virginia Works locator. If the trip to class is a problem, see ASMOM’s Virginia transportation help.

Child care, food, and technology while you study

The Child Care Subsidy Program may pay part of approved care while a parent works, seeks work, attends a qualifying education or training program, or takes part in another approved activity. It generally serves children under 13 and some children with special needs under 18. Check the newest rules and local funding. A copay or waitlist may apply.

You can apply through CommonHelp or your local social services office. Ask what proof of classes, clinical hours, work, and commute time you need. Your provider must meet program rules. ASMOM’s Virginia child care guide gives more next steps.

If you receive cash aid, read ASMOM’s Virginia TANF guide and ask whether your training schedule fits your work plan. College students can face extra SNAP rules, but some parents may meet an exemption. The state’s SNAP student guidance explains the student test. Ask for a case review rather than assuming school makes you ineligible. For food-aid steps, use ASMOM’s Virginia SNAP help.

If you need a computer or internet for online class, ask the college about a laptop loan, library computers, hotspot lending, or low-cost service. ASMOM’s Virginia technology help has more places to check. Availability varies by school and ZIP code.

Special programs for some Virginia students

Military survivors and dependents

Virginia’s VMSDEP program supports some spouses and children of qualifying veterans and service members. Virginia Veterans Services certifies eligibility. Eligible tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges may be waived for up to eight semesters. An added stipend applies only to some approved groups and depends on funding.

Service history, disability or survivor status, residency, school, and family rules are detailed. Check them before you plan around this benefit. A tuition waiver does not mean all housing, food, and books are paid.

Education aid for people with foster care experience

The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) may provide up to $5,000 per year for eligible current or former foster youth. It can help with tuition, books, housing, a laptop, transportation, child care, and approved training expenses.

Eligible students are generally ages 14 through 25, must have finished high school or a GED, and must meet foster care, school progress, and annual application rules. Support can last up to five years before age 26. Start with the local social services office linked to your foster care case. Also ask about special public-college tuition support for former foster youth.

College support for student parents

The CAPS parent-student initiative helps parents at selected Virginia community college pilot sites. Help may include child care, school needs, coaching, or emergency costs. Ask whether your campus is taking part and what support is active now.

In the Greater Richmond and Petersburg region, WomenRise helps eligible single mothers with approved child care and other study costs. Its rules include living in a covered locality, being the single female head of household with custody of a child, an income limit, and enrollment or plans for eligible training. Applications take place in cycles; the program page says the next cohort’s applications will open in May. Check the official page for the next live dates rather than assuming funds are open today.

Scholarships for child care workers

If you work in early childhood education, the Virginia Early Educator Scholarship may help with approved classes. The state says qualifying students can seek support for up to two approved courses per term. Ask about your school, courses, and term application dates.

Where to look for other scholarships

• Your college: Ask for its main application, department awards, adult-student aid, transfer awards, and emergency funds.
• Your community college: Ask the foundation about book grants, completion help, and scholarships for parents.
• Your community: Look at local foundations, credit unions, hospitals, employers, unions, civic groups, and faith-based programs.
• Your field: Ask about nursing, teaching, child care, technology, trades, and health care scholarships.
• Your history: Ask about awards for adult learners, former foster youth, military families, and first-generation students.

Check the school before you borrow

Use the federal College Scorecard to compare costs, graduation, debt, and earnings. Confirm that your school and program qualify for the aid you want. Ask if credits transfer and whether local employers accept the certificate or license.

Get the full cost in writing, including tuition, books, exam fees, uniforms, tools, transportation, and child care. If a school fails to follow its own rules, use its complaint steps first. The SCHEV student complaint guide explains when the state can review a school dispute.

Documents and information to gather

Each program asks for different proof. Make a folder, keep safe copies, and send only what an official school or agency requests. Never email passwords.

A simple application order

1. Pick an approved course or school that fits your work and family needs.
2. Ask the school for the correct aid year, priority dates, final dates, and separate scholarship forms.
3. File FAFSA if eligible; ask about VASA if you cannot file FAFSA.
4. Ask which Virginia state grants the school checks without another form.
5. Send any required VTAG, transfer, WomenRise, employer, or local scholarship application by its own date.
6. Apply for child care early and make a backup plan for class days.
7. If a short course fits, compare G3, FastForward, WIOA, or employer-paid training.
8. Check gift aid and full school costs before taking a loan.
9. Save proof of each submission, bill, call, and decision.

If aid is denied, delayed, or too low

Ask for the reason and deadline in writing. It may be a missing form, missed date, enrollment issue, residency question, aid limit, school progress problem, or lack of funding. Do not assume the first answer is the final one.

• Income changed: Ask the school’s aid office if a professional judgment or changed-income review is possible.
• Paperwork missing: Ask for the exact document, safe upload path, and deadline. Keep proof of delivery.
• Grant unavailable: Ask about school aid, part-time options, G3, workforce grants, emergency funds, and a later term.
• Child care delayed: Check waitlist status and ask your school or provider about short-term options.
• School decision disputed: Ask for the written appeal or complaint process. Review each date on your notice and seek qualified advice if needed.

For community help with bills, food, and other needs beyond school, see ASMOM’s Virginia community support.

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