Single Parent Scholarships: Supporting Students and Generating Hope

Single Parent Scholarships 2025 – The Single Parent Scholarship supports deserving students raised in families with single-parent or those children living with their single parent. It is mainly open to applicants willing to pursue their studies, actively engaged in their communities or workplace and revealing demonstrable financial need. It is known that pursuing higher education can be financially burdensome for students being looked after by a single parent. Covering the tuition fees, living expenses and other fees can get challenging for students with single parent having limited or no source of income. 

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The government and private organisations offer several scholarships to support children of single parents, helping them achieve their academic goals. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit, financial need, extracurricular involvement, or other circumstances. 

In this article, students can explore the list of single parent scholarships, eligibility, awards, application links, required documents, and application process. 

Single Parent Scholarships 2025 – Key Highlights 

Scholarship Name  Single Parent Scholarships
Academic Year 2025
Beneficiaries  Applicants with Single Parent 
Nationality Indian 
Awards  Variable Financial Benefits 
Application Mode Online 

Single Parent Scholarships 2025 – List of Opportunities! 

  • AICTE – Swanath Scholarship Scheme (Technical Diploma/Degree) 
  • Help A Child Scholarship 2025 
  • PM CARES for Children 
  • Scholarship for Fatherless Girls 
  • Jyoti Prakash Scholarship and Mentorship Program 
  • Legrand Empowering Scholarship Program 

Single Parent Scholarships 2025 – Eligibility, Awards, Application Link

AICTE – Swanath Scholarship Scheme (Technical Diploma/Degree)

AICTE – Swanath Scholarship Scheme (Technical Diploma/Degree) is an initiative of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to provide financial assistance to students pursuing a technical degree or diploma from recognised institutions. The scholarship slots are available to students who are either orphans, whose parents have died due to COVID-19, or who are wards of armed forces and central paramilitary forces personnel martyred in action.

Eligibility Criteria

  • This is open to Indian nationals.  
  • Students must be a ward impacted by COVID-19 (i.e., lost one or both parents due to COVID-19) or a ward of Armed Forces and Central Paramilitary Forces personnel martyred in action (Shaheed). 
  • Applicants must be enrolled full-time in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of a degree or diploma program in an AICTE-approved institution.
  • The annual family income of the applicant should be less than ₹8,00,000 per annum. 

Awards 

Selected candidates will receive a lump sum of ₹50,000 per year to cover college fees, computer purchases, stationery, books, equipment, and software.

Career Assessment Test

Application Timeline 

The application timeline for the academic year 2025 is yet to be announced. 

Help A Child Scholarship 2025

The Help A Child Scholarship is a collaborative initiative of the Somaiya Grameen Vikas Kendra supported by Somaiya Vidyavihar Trust and Godavari Biorefineries Limited. This scheme aims to provide educational opportunities to talented students residing in specific operational areas. 

Eligibility Criteria 

  • This is open to Indian citizens.
  • The scholarship is applicable to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • The applicants must have passed Class 10 or above.
  • Meritorious students belonging to the Poverty Line (BPL) families are eligible to apply for this scheme. 
  • Students must have scored more than 70% marks in annual/board/university exams.
  • Students residing or studying within the operational areas of Godavari Biorefineries Limited, Sameerwadi, and Sakarwadi manufacturing facility are eligible to apply.
  • Students from single parent households, daily wage labourers, small/marginalised farmers, weavers, and petty business owners including the orphans will get preference.

Awards 

Buddy4Study - Education Loan

The selected scholars will receive financial assistance and variable benefits. 

Application Link 

The students can apply for this scholarship through the Help A Child portal. 

Application Timeline 

The application timeline for the academic year 2025 has not been announced as yet. 

PM CARES for Children

The PM CARES for Children scheme was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. This scholarship aims to support children who have lost both their parents, legal guardians, adoptive or surviving parent to COVID-19 pandemic after the period from 11th March 2020. The PM CARES for children scheme provides exclusive support to these children through a convergent approach, gap funding for ensuring education,and  health, a monthly stipend from the age of 18 years, and a lump sum benefit of ₹10 lakh upon attaining 23 years of age.

Eligibility Criteria

All children who have lost

  • Both parents
  • Surviving parent
  • Legal guardian/adoptive parents/single adoptive parent due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting from 11 March 2020 till 31 December 2021. 

Applicants must be under 18 years of age on the date of demise of their parent(s).

Awards 

The selected students will receive a monthly stipend after attaining the age of 18 years, and a lump sum amount of ₹10,00,000 upon reaching 23 years of age. 

Application Link 

  • The students can apply for this scholarship through the PM Cares for Children portal. 
  • An exclusive guideline document is available on the link for reference.

Scholarship for Fatherless Girls 

The Scholarship for Fatherless Girls was launched by the School Education Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh. The scheme supports the education of girls who have lost their fathers. Students enrolled in Class 1 to 12 and pursuing their studies in government schools can apply for this scholarship. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • This is open for female students who are permanent residents in the State of Madhya Pradesh.
  • Applicants must be pursuing their studies in Class 1 to 12 in a government school located in the state.
  • The female student who has lost her father is eligible to apply. 
  • Students must have successfully passed the previous class.

Awards 

The selected students will receive the following benefits: 

  • Class 1 to 5 – ₹350 per year
  • Class 6 to 8 – ₹400 per year
  • Class 9 to 12 – ₹450 per year 

Application Timeline 

The application timeline for the academic year 2025 has not been announced as yet. We will keep the readers well-informed.

Application Link 

The students can apply for this scholarship through the Madhya Pradesh Shiksha Portal

Jyoti Prakash Scholarship and Mentorship Program

Jyoti Prakash Scholarship and Mentorship Program is the initiative of the Buddy4Study India Foundation to support students faced with disabilities including transgender students, first-generation learners, orphans, single parent children, and sportspersons among others. This scheme aims to help students cover their educational/sports expenses and enable them to fulfil their dreams.
Under this program, students who are currently pursuing studies in Class 9 to 12, graduation, or postgraduation courses including sportspersons are eligible to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Students who have lost either or both of their parents/transgender students studying in Class 9-12, graduation, or postgraduation/students with 40% disability or more/first-generation learners.
  • Students having secured at least 55% marks in their previous qualifying examination are eligible. 
  • The annual family income of the applicants must be less than ₹6,00,000 whereas it should be less than ₹3,00,000 for orphans and first-generation learners. 
  • Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply.
  • Children/wards of Buddy4Study employees are not eligible for this scholarship.

Awards 

The selected students will receive up to ₹24,000 to cover their academic/sports expenses.  

Application Timeline 

The application timeline for the academic year 2025 will be announced soon. We will keep the readers well-informed.

Application Link 

The students can apply for this scholarship on the Buddy4Study portal. 

Legrand Empowering Scholarship Program 2024-25

The Legrand Empowering Scholarship Program 2024-25 is a social initiative of Legrand India. It aims to provide financial support to meritorious girls, differently-abled girls, Covid-affected students, LGBTQ+ students and students with single parents or orphans for pursuing their higher education. Under this program, academically promising female students pursuing B.Tech., B.E., B.Arch., or other undergraduate degrees in Finance or Science (such as B.Sc., B.Com., B.B.A., etc.) will receive financial assistance. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • This is open to differently-abled girls, LGBTQ+ students, COVID-affected students and students with single parents or orphans across India.
  • Students must have secured admission to pursue B.Tech., B.E., B.Arch., B.B.A., B.Com., or B.Sc. degrees in India.
  • Applicants must have passed the Class 12 examination with 60% marks. 
  • The annual family income of the applicants from all sources must be less than ₹5,00,000.

Awards 

  • The selected students will receive 60% of the annual course fee, up to ₹60,000 per year.
  • Students in the special category* will receive 80% of the annual course fee, up to ₹1,00,000 per year.

*Special category:  This included differently-abled girl students, LGBTQ+ students, Covid-affected students, and students with single parents or orphans.

Application Timeline 

The application timeline for the academic year 2025 is yet to be announced soon. We will keep the readers well-informed.

Application Link 

The applicants apply for this scholarship through the Buddy4Study portal. 

Single Parent Scholarship 2025 – Required Documentation 

The applicants are required to submit the following documents in general: 

  • Aadhaar card 
  • Passport size photograph
  • Marksheet (Class 10 or 12)
  • Caste certificate (if applicable)
  • Death certificate of parent(s) 
  • Income certificate 
  • Proof of admission or college/university fee receipt
  • Age proof (Birth Certificate, Aadhaar Card, Passport, Class 10 School Leaving Certificate)

Single Parent Scholarship 2025 – How to Apply?

The applicants should adhere to the following application processes in order to apply for the single parent scholarship. 

  • Visit the official website of the scholarship provider. 
  • Register the details (Name, email ID, and password). 
  • Click on the ‘Login’ button.  
  • Navigate to the ‘Application Form’ link. 
  • Fill in the required details in the form. 
  • Upload the required documents. 
  • Click on the ‘Submit’ button. 

Besides, there are several opportunities worth exploring. BITS Pilani offers various scholarships and financial assistance to students for pursuing higher studies that including students with single parents or those hailing from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It is mainly awarded on the basis of merit and financial need. Applicants can apply after having secured their admission to the program. BITS Pilani has a system in place for providing financial assistance on the basis of annual family income. If your family’s income is less than ₹5 lakh per annum, you may be eligible for this assistance. 

Similarly, there are state and central government scholarship schemes meant for students from economically weaker sections and it is applicable for those students coming from a single-parent household.  There are other NGOs and private organisations that offer scholarships for single parents or students belonging to low-income families. Some educational trusts provide scholarships specifically to students who have lost a parent. And therefore, it is always advisable to look for those organisations that focus on supporting students with a single parent. Moreover, researching state-specific and national scholarship programs and applying at the appropriate time is the way to go.

Also Read: Scholarships For Girls & Women in India 2024 – Eligibility, Award, Dates

Single Parent Scholarship 2025 – FAQs

Who can apply for the single parent scholarship?

The students who have lost either of their parents are eligible for the single parent scholarship.

Does the government organisation offer these schemes?

Yes, government organisations offer this kind of scholarship to the students willing to continue their studies.

Who are eligible to apply for the Single Parent Scholarship?

The students raised in single-parent households or who are children of single parents themselves, demonstrating financial need are eligible.

What financial support does the AICTE–Swanath Scholarship offer?

AICTE–Swanath offers a lump sum of ₹50,000 per year for tuition, books, equipment, and other educational expenses.

The 'Help A Child Scholarship' scheme gives priority to what type of students?

Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, especially those from single-parent families, daily wage workers, orphans, and small farmers get priority under the 'Help A Child Scholarship' scheme.

How does the PM CARES for Children scheme assist COVID-19-affected children?

By providing a monthly stipend from the age of 18 and a ₹10 lakh lump sum at the age of 23 years, along with educational and healthcare support.

What are the benefits provided under the Scholarship for Fatherless Girls in Madhya Pradesh?

It offers annual financial aid ranging from ₹350 to ₹450 for girls enrolled in Class 1 to 12 and pursuing their studies in government schools.

Why are Single Parent Scholarships important for higher education?

They reduce financial barriers, covering tuition and living expenses for students from single-parent families with limited income.

What are common eligibility criteria for these scholarships?

Indian citizenship, financial need, academic merit, and specific circumstances like parental loss or single-parent status are the common and general eligibility criteria.

What financial assistance does BITS Pilani provide to students from single-parent households?

BITS Pilani provides scholarships based on merit and financial need, with special consideration for students from single-parent families or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Students with an annual family income below ₹5 lakh are mostly eligible.

How should the students from single-parent households explore and find suitable scholarship opportunities?

By exploring the online platforms/websites of state and central government, NGOs, private organisations, and educational trusts that support students from low-income or single-parent families, and applying to active schemes and programs at the appropriate time.

What is the last date to apply for the AICTE – Swanath Scholarship Scheme (Technical Diploma/Degree)?

This scholarship is not live for the academic year 2025.

Who is the provider of ‘Help a Child Scheme’?

This scheme is offered by Somaiya Grameen Vikas Kendra and supported by Somaiya Vidyavihar Trust and Godavari Biorefineries Limited.

Disclaimer

  1. Source of Information: Buddy4Study app compiles details on scholarships/fellowships from government websites and private scholarship sources. Links to the official sources accompany each listing detail pages.
  2. Non-affiliation: The Buddy4Study app is not associated with any government entity in India or elsewhere. When featuring government scholarships, we rely on publicly accessible information from central and state government websites in India.

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