S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship
S.W.I.M.’s unique scholarship program provides financial assistance to single mothers wishing to further their education in a post-secondary academic program. Each year, a single mother is awarded the Strong Mothers Achieving Remarkable Triumph (S.M.A.R.T.) Scholarship, and is provided with the opportunity to better her own and her child/children’s lives. Recipients are celebrated during our annual London’s Got Talent fundraiser, an event bringing the community together to support and commemorate all single mothers. To date, S.W.I.M. has awarded over $9,000 in scholarships, and is committed to expanding our program’s applicants and winners.
S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship
Single mothers in our society have all walked a different path, some being single mothers by choice while others fleeing abusive relationships. Single mothers face overwhelming demands while providing love and nurturance to their most valued priority: their children. Attending school to better their lives and build a safe and secure home for their children is a stressful juggling act, scrambling to finish assignments in early morning before their children awake, or late at night after their children are asleep. Exhaustion is an understatement for our single mothers. Paying rent, groceries, bills, basic necessities, childcare fees, and attending school on a sole income is financially difficult. Most single mothers work multiple jobs while studying to provide for their families on a single-parent income. This financial burden is strenuous and demoralizing, preventing single mothers from focusing on their studies and achieving a post-secondary education that leads to better employment opportunities, and ultimately a stable future for their families that can have a multigenerational effect. It is our mission to provide studying single mothers with the opportunity to achieve their academic goals and fulfill their full potential out of a post-secondary education.
S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship Testimonials
Danielle Lebel
Recipient 2022
“When I decided to return to school as a mature student with a preschooler, I knew it would take a lot of time and effort. As I began my final year, I knew the workload would be heavier than the previous year. During this time, my daughter also started school, and all of this combined would be stressful as a single mother. Receiving this S.M.A.R.T. scholarship will change my school experience. With not needing to worry about funds, I will be able to focus on finishing my diploma, and give my 4-year-old daughter, Lucca Jeanne, everything she needs. Thank you, S.W.I.M. and everyone who made the scholarship a reality and for helping me reach my goals”
Mehreen Khan
Recipient 2022
“Being awarded the 2022 S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship has been a great honour. Being a single mother to young child, I did not want my circumstances to limit my potentials and I wanted to become a mother my child could be proud of. Receiving this scholarship allowed me to purchase the tools I need to succeed in my program and has also given me hope and the motivation to push further to pursue my masters following the completion of my current program.”
Janice Appiah
Recipient 2022
“Being selected for this award has reassured me that my efforts academically and personally are being recognized and that’s such an uplifting feeling! Oftentimes, I am faced with challenges that cause me to second guess my choices and decisions but my journey has shown me that I’m not making any mistakes, I’m just shaping my own path. This award will support me and my children throughout the next few months and I’m hopeful that being a representative of this award can encourage other single mothers to continue pursuing their dreams, whatever that may look like! Our children our watching us leave our mark on the world so we need to keep pushing and it’s ok to rest and take care of ourselves as well.“
Financial Help
The S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship program awards 3 scholarships annually, each valued at $1,500 CAD.
“The financial aspect is a great motivation, but it’s also about saying, ‘I got this scholarship. I’m doing this. I’ve gotten this much further than I did before I had children or before I was married. It’s empowering to be able to say,’I’ve made it this far.’”
– Alicia Howitt (S.M.A.R.T Scholarship Recipient, 2013)
Important Dates
July 1st 2023 – Applications for the S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship open
Sept 1st 2023 – Applications close
Oct 1st 2023 – Recipients and applicants informed of application status
TBD – Recipients awarded at S.W.I.M.’s annual London’s Got Talent event
How To Apply
The S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship program awards 3 scholarships annually, each valued at $1,500 CAD. Applications will be accepted from July 1st 2023 to Sept 1st 2023.
To apply, please read thoroughly the scholarship acceptance guidelines and application requirements, prepare the required documents outlined below, and complete your application by clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ button.
In order to publicize the S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship Award program and to promote Strong Mothers Achieving Remarkable Triumph, the winners’ names and photographs will be announced on/in promotional content, media outlets, and on the S.W.I.M. website. Winners must be available to be interviewed and participate in promotional activities. In agreeing to participate you allow S.W.I.M. and/or representatives the unrestricted right and permission to copyright, use and publish photographs, video and/or audio recordings of you without restriction as to reproduction, made through any and all media for the purpose of promoting the charity. If you do not wish to have the following information made public, please contact scholarship@singlewomeninmotherhood.com.
- Applicants must be single mothers pursuing a post-secondary education in Ontario, Canada.
- Applicants must not be previous recipients of the S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship.
- Applicants must be registered with S.W.I.M. This is done by completing the entirety of the scholarship application form.
- Applicants must complete S.W.I.M.’s photography release form. This is done by completing the entirety of the scholarship application form.
- Brief essays:
- Among the experiences listed on your resume, please select and describe one that you believe best demonstrates the quality of professionalism. (250 words)
- Among the experiences listed on your resume, please select and describe one that you believe best demonstrates the quality of leadership. (250 words)
- Describe a passion of yours that is unique to you (hobbies, arts, sports, etc)? What does your passion tell us about you? (250 words)
- Explain your career goals; where do you see yourself in five years? (500-750 words)
- Personal statement: Please include a personal statement about your experiences as a single mother. (500-750 words)
- Professional reference contact information
- Personal reference contact information (excluding family members)
- Proof of academic enrollment. (ex. a copy of your acceptance letter, academic timetable, or official transcript)
Donate
Are you passionate about education and helping single mothers reach their full potential? Consider donating to the Single Women In Motherhood, and help us make sure that all single mothers have the opportunity to pursue higher education, better their lives and their children’s lives, and soar to new heights.
If you are interested in establishing an award for single mothers in your name, giving a gift in kind, or contributing to the S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship fund, please contact us at scholarship@singlewomeninmotherhood.com.
Our Sponsors
TD Bank Group
S.W.I.M. thanks TD Bank Group for generously sponsoring the S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship program. TD is supporting single moms’ academic journeys, and through the TD Ready Commitment, TD is creating opportunities for everyone to participate and be included in their community.
Miggsie Fund
S.W.I.M. thanks Miggsie Fund at the Lawson Foundation for their continued support of the S.M.A.R.T. Scholarship program and S.W.I.M. services. The Miggsie Fund celebrates Miggsie Lawson’s love of the London area community and continues her philanthropic legacy. The purpose of this fund is to contribute to initiatives that create inclusive, equitable and accessible programs to help community thrive.
Thank you to all our supporters
Disclaimer
Falsification or misrepresentation of information from any portion of the application process will result in removal of the application from consideration, and may be considered in any future applications to the scholarship program.
Application processes and policies are reviewed annually. We encourage applicants to visit our website regularly, as the program reserves the right to review and change application policies and requirements at any time, without notice.