Scholarships and Education Grants for Single Mothers in Louisiana

Where to start

Do not begin by searching random “grant lists.” Start with the offices that can actually package aid for your school and program.

Quick reference: common starting points

Scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, training aid, and school support

These words are often mixed together online. They do not all work the same way.

Federal Student Aid lists grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans as common ways to pay for college or career school. For parents, the safest order is usually: free grants and scholarships first, then earned work-study if it fits your schedule, then loans only after you understand the monthly payment.

Main aid paths

The programs below are not all single-mother-only programs. They are real aid paths that many single mothers can use if they meet the rules.

FAFSA and Pell Grants

The Federal Pell Grant is often the main grant for low-income undergraduate students. For the 2026–27 award year, the maximum Pell Grant is $7,395. Your amount depends on your FAFSA information, school cost, enrollment level, and other rules.

File even if you are not sure you qualify. A school cannot package many forms of aid until your FAFSA is processed. If your income dropped, your hours were cut, you separated from a spouse, or your household changed, ask the school about a special circumstances review.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

The FSEOG program helps some undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. It is campus-based, which means your school has a limited amount and decides who receives it under federal rules. File FAFSA early and ask your financial aid office if FSEOG is still available.

Louisiana GO Grant

The Louisiana GO Grant is a state need-based grant for Louisiana residents who receive Pell, have remaining financial need, and attend an eligible Louisiana school at least half time. Current annual awards range from $300 to $3,000, but the amount depends on your school’s allocation and packaging policy.

You do not usually file a separate GO Grant application. Your FAFSA and your school’s aid process drive the award. Ask your school directly: “Do you package GO Grant, and am I on the list?”

M.J. Foster Promise Program

The M.J. Foster Promise helps eligible Louisiana residents age 19 or older pay for approved high-demand credentials and associate-level programs. It can apply at approved two-year public colleges, universities, and licensed proprietary schools for programs tied to areas such as health care, construction, manufacturing, information technology, and transportation.

The standard cap is $3,200 per year, with a $6,400 maximum for some high-cost programs that can be completed in less than one year. Funds are paid to the school, not directly to the student. Ask your school if the program and campus are approved before you enroll.

TOPS and TOPS Tech

TOPS is Louisiana’s merit-based scholarship program, mostly for students who meet high school, GPA, test score, residency, and timing rules. TOPS Tech can be used for approved skill or occupational training. It may help younger single mothers who recently graduated from high school or who meet special TOPS rules, but it will not fit every adult returning student.

Geaux Teach

The Geaux Teach scholarship is for students in approved teacher preparation or alternate certification programs in Louisiana. LOSFA lists a maximum annual award of $5,000 for tuition, required fees, textbooks, and instructional materials. Contact your school of education or program provider before applying.

Chafee ETV

The Chafee ETV program is for eligible students who have been in foster care. It can help with college or technical training costs, but it has specific foster-care and age rules. If this might apply to you, ask both LOSFA and your school’s financial aid office to help you check eligibility.

School scholarships and local foundations

Many scholarships are not listed on state pages. Your college may have a general scholarship application, department awards, foundation scholarships, emergency grants, or adult learner funds. Also check high-trust local sources such as the North Louisiana scholarships page or the Southwest Louisiana scholarships page if you live in those regions.

Use scholarship searches carefully. Do not pay a fee to apply for LOSFA aid. Avoid any site that promises guaranteed money, asks for bank logins, or says you were “selected” before you applied.

Child care while you study

Child care can decide whether school is possible. Louisiana’s CCAP may help eligible parents pay for approved child care while they work, attend school, or participate in training. The state lists school and training as qualifying activities, including full-time study or at least 20 hours per week in an accredited school or training program.

Apply through LA CAFÉ or use the forms linked from the CCAP page. CCAP rules look at your household, child age, income, work or school activity, and provider. Payments usually go to the provider, and families may still have a copay.

For broader child care planning, see ASMOM’s child care guide.

Job training and adult education help

If a full degree is not the right first step, Louisiana has training and adult education options that may fit better.

WorkReady U and adult education

WorkReady U is Louisiana’s adult education network through the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. It can help adults with high school equivalency preparation, adult literacy, English language learning, career skills, and workforce training. Some adult education students may also qualify for testing help, adult career pathway scholarships, or help starting college classes through LCTCS resources.

Louisiana Reconnect

Louisiana Reconnect is a Board of Regents effort for adults who earned some college credit but did not finish. Coaches can help returning students think through credits, re-entry steps, and a path back to a credential.

SNAP E&T, WIOA, and LRS

If you receive SNAP, ask about SNAP Employment and Training. Louisiana’s SNAP E&T materials describe case management, training activities, and supportive services. Support may include items like transportation, dependent care, uniforms, tools, books, or supplies when tied to an approved activity.

For workforce funding, contact a Louisiana Louisiana Works office and ask about WIOA training funds or an Individual Training Account for an approved program. If you have a disability that affects work or training, Vocational Rehabilitation through Louisiana Rehabilitation Services may help with employment-related supports.

ASMOM also has guides to job training help, transportation help, and local resources.

Documents and information checklist

Gathering documents early can prevent delays. You may not need every item for every program.

What to do if aid is denied, delayed, or not enough

First, ask for the reason in writing. A denial can happen because of missing documents, enrollment level, residency, program approval, satisfactory academic progress, or funding limits. A delay can happen because your FAFSA is not loaded, your school has not billed a state program, or your file needs review.

Second, ask for a specific next step. Do not stop at “you do not qualify.” Ask what would change the answer: more credits, a different program, a corrected FAFSA, a special circumstances review, an appeal, or a new term.

Third, ask about backup help. Schools may have emergency grants, payment plans, book vouchers, laptop loans, food pantries, student parent centers, or foundation funds. You can also check ASMOM’s guides to real help and tax credits when your school budget is part of a bigger household budget.