Federal student aid is a hot topic at the moment, because the new administration is keen to get as many people in college as possible. Why? Because educated people contribute more to the economy, rarely live in poverty and become model citizens in the community.

Obama grants and scholarships for moms are a high priority, since mothers are a group that often get left out of federal aid programs, or simply feel that they can’t afford to go to school. Obama wants this all to change, and to prove it and he increased the amount of the Pell Grant within his first couple of weeks in office.

Which scholarships and Grants are Available for Moms?

There are a number of federal student assistance programs that provide money for people like you, who don’t want a student loan but wish to undertake further education.

1. Pell Grant

This is the most well known grant. It is a needs-based grant for low income students so if you are a single mom or are just on a low income, make sure you apply for the Pell grant. The maximum amount currently available is 5,350.

2. National SMART Grant

The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant is available in your3rd and 4th year of study so it is something to consider if you are studying anything science or math related.

3. TEACH Grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education grant gives you up to $4000 per year. If you plan to become a teacher in a private or public secondary or elementary school then you could be eligible for the TEACH grant.

4. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG program is a financial needs based grant. It is available for people with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs). It is valued between $100 and $4,000 per year.

5. Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

This grant is relatively new (it began in 2006) and is available for students who graduated from high school during or after 2006. If you are a young mom then this is an excellent opportunity to receive $750 for your first year of study and $1300 for your second year.

These are 5 of the top Obama grants and scholarships that moms can apply for right away.