Law Family Single Parent Scholarship

Funded by
$10,000
2 winners, $5,000 each
Open
Application Deadline
Apr 11, 2024
Winners Announced
May 11, 2024
Education Level
Any
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Eligibility Requirements
Parental Status:
Single parent
Parental Status:
Single parent

It’s no secret that single parents face a unique set of obstacles when raising their children.

Trying to pursue an education while being a single parent is even more difficult. For example, only 31% of single mothers over the age of 25 have at least a bachelor’s degree, as compared to 54% of married mothers.

This scholarship seeks to support single parents so they can continue their education and create a better future for themselves.  

Any single parent who is pursuing their education may apply for this scholarship opportunity, but minority students from Kentucky are preferred. 

To apply, tell us about yourself and how being a single parent has affected your education. Also, tell us how you plan to make a positive impact in your community.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published December 12, 2023
$10,000
2 winners, $5,000 each
Open
Application Deadline
Apr 11, 2024
Winners Announced
May 11, 2024
Education Level
Any
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Essay Topic

Please tell us about yourself and how your experience as a single parent has shaped your pursuit of higher education. How do you plan on making a positive impact in your community?

400–600 words

Winning Application

ronyale wilson
Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent ProgramShively, KY
My name is Ronyale Wilson, I am 17 years old and I go to Georgia Chaffee TAPP High School. I have a 1-year-old daughter, and her name is Khalani. She is the love of my life. I am planning to attend Western Kentucky University or the University of Louisville. I am going to major in nursing or social work. I would like to be a nurse or social worker because I enjoy helping others. I am also interested in working in an office environment at some point in my career. My biggest strengths are that I am very detail-oriented and a very determined, loving person. I believe these strengths will help me in college, as well as in life in general. It has been extremely difficult trying to balance my school life, personal life, and life as a single parent. Sometimes I feel like I can't balance everything, but my daughter gives me inspiration to achieve and push forward. It has been extremely hard since I lost my child's father when I was pregnant. That event has had a really big impact on my life. For a while, I had a hard time dealing with his death. It is still hard to imagine, but each day it gets a little easier. In overcoming this loss, I have been focused on being the best parent I can be. I want my career to have a positive effect on those around me. It also made me think about causes that are important to me and how I will help my community. I am passionate about improving the level of homelessness in my community. I plan to make a difference in the lives of people who don't have a place to live or can't afford to feed their families. I am looking forward to owning a food truck to give back to the poor community at no cost. I would like to reach single-parent families mostly. I plan to partner with the Dare To Care organization for extra community support and resources. I would like for this food truck business to be something that my daughter could take over to do also. I love seeing people happy and smiling. It brings me joy and happiness to know that I can have a positive effect on people. I plan to make people in need smile by providing them food and other necessities they need to improve their quality of life.
Kamilah Scrivener
Jefferson Community and Technical CollegeLouisville, KY
Growing up, I never would’ve imagined me being a mother at the age of 15. I was just now in highschool, and I was also very behind in school. When I found out I was pregnant, the first thing I thought of was me and my child’s future. How could we be successful in life if I hadn’t even graduated high school? I had to come up with a plan to get back on track. Motherhood is a complicated journey, but that’s the beauty of it. Being able to weed the good from the bad, and to keep pushing yourself forward. My child was the biggest blessing I could’ve asked for. Being a single parent has surely been a challenge, but it has also been a rewarding experience that has shaped my pursuit of higher education in many ways. One of the challenges of being a single parent is finding the time and energy to balance work, parenting, and pursuing an education. This often requires a great deal of organization, planning, and time management . I have had to prioritize my responsibilities and make sacrifices in order to make everything work. For example, I have had to turn down social invitations in order to focus on my schoolwork or spend time with my child. This has been difficult at times, but it has also taught me the value of dedication. Being a single parent has also made me more motivated to succeed in my work. I know that my education is not just for myself, but for my child and our future together. I want to be able to provide a better life for us and be an amazing role model for my child. I want to show him that with work and determination, he can achieve his dreams. Another way that being a single parent has shaped my desire for higher education is by providing me with an understanding of the challenges that many people face. As a single parent, I have had to navigate a variety of challenges, such as finding childcare, dealing with financial struggles, and managing my own stress. This has given me a sense of empathy and a desire to help others who may be facing similar challenges. In terms of making a positive impact in my community, I plan to use my education and the knowledge that I have gained to give back and make a difference. One way that I plan to do this is by volunteering my time to organizations that support single parents and their children. I also hope to use my education to advocate for policies that benefit single parents and their families. Another way that I plan to make a positive impact in my community is by using my education to pursue a career that helps others. I’ve always wanted to be a Registered Nurse, and now it is finally time to make those dreams come true. Helping others has always been a passion of mine, as I am a very heartfelt person. In conclusion, being a single parent has definitely been a challenge, but it has also been a rewarding experience that has shaped my desire for higher education. It has taught me dedication and time management skills, as well as provided me with a unique perspective and understanding of the challenges that people face. I plan to use my education and the skills that I have gained to make a positive impact in my community by volunteering, advocating for policies and initiatives that benefit single parents and their families, and pursuing a career that helps others.
Elana Marsh
Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
Throughout my life, there have been many experiences that have inspired me to become the woman that I am today. However, above anything or anyone, my five children are my greatest inspiration. Undoubtedly, single parenting requires an abundance of diligence, patience, and sacrifice. Every single moment of my life revolves around my children, as they are my top priority. Working twice as hard to make sure that all of my children’s needs are met is certainly not an easy task. There have been moments where I let guilt, doubt, and anxiety consume me, and I had no desire to live in my true purpose. Even so, I never gave up. In 2017, I withdrew from school due to my extreme hardship in maintaining work/life balance. My children were having behavioral and learning difficulties, in which one of my sons was diagnosed with Autism. Additionally, my other children were diagnosed with ADHD. Although I had very little support, I stepped up and advocated for my children. Now, each of my children have specialized therapeutic services, learning support plans, and tutoring services. They are growing, thriving, and doing so much better in school. I didn’t give up on them because they deserve a quality education, regardless of their learning challenges. All things considered, I had to resign from my full-time job as a medical assistant in order to begin my nursing studies at Drexel University. This was an arduous decision that I had to make, however, I know that it will prove to be beneficial in the near future. This scholarship will help with tuition, and any additional fees, books, and other expenses. Continuing my education was the best decision that I have ever made. My children watch my every move, and they depend on me for everything. So, I have no choice but to go above and beyond for them. I am also setting an example for them to do and be their best, no matter how hard life gets. I am resilient, adaptable, and ambitious. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing at Drexel University. The area of nursing that I choose to focus on is Maternal/Fetal Health in disadvantaged communities. I want to help improve the safety and welfare of pregnant women through various preventative care measures. I hope to learn more about how I can incorporate reproductive health into my field of study, and how I can do more to advocate for women that do not have access to adequate health care. Since beginning my nursing studies at Drexel University, I have joined the National Student Nurses Association. In January, I also plan to join the National Black Nurses Association. I believe that joining these associations will help me to grow and thrive as a nursing student. Networking and making connections with other nursing students and faculty will prove to be very beneficial to my nursing career. I am also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Rho Upsilon Chapter. Currently, I have completed my first quarter at Drexel University. I am on the Dean’s List, and I have a 3.71 GPA. I also plan to continue my education and complete my Master’s degree in Nurse Midwifery. I believe that a career in nursing will be extremely rewarding, because I know I will have genuine opportunities to make a difference in the lives of many.
Haley Anastas
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San GermanNew Albany, IN
At age seventeen I gave birth to my son Elijah, and my world somersaulted. Any prior concept of love, responsibility, or commitment was blown away as soon as I looked into his eyes. Though many people warned me my life would be over, his birth reinforced my decision to pursue medicine by deepening my capacity for compassion, strengthening my confidence, and showing me that I was always meant to be a protector of life. Despite the statistics of teen moms graduating from high school and college I pursued my dreams. I had so much more drive then ever before, I demonstrated resilience and perseverance. My son has encouraged me to be a better version of myself. Before his birth I was caught up in a negative lifestyle; I partied all the time and begin using drugs. I tried to clean up my life but kept falling victim to my addiction. Once I got pregnant my entire mindset, attitude, and goals changed. I wanted to be a good role model to my son and I wanted to provide for him and give him the love and support I didn't receive when I was young. With persistence and dedication, I am proud to say I have done all those things and continue to everyday of my life. I hope to set an example to other teen moms and give them courage to pursue their goals. I want to motivate them by sharing my experience in hopes that it will encourage them to never give up and never let themselves be defined by statistics.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Apr 11, 2024. Winners will be announced on May 11, 2024.