Grants for Women in Massachusetts

Everyone needs a little help sometimes, and the economic situation these days is not making it any easier. It can be especially hard for women and single mothers, which is why we have put together this list of grants and assistance programs available to women in Massachusetts. Keep reading to find out where you can find a helping hand.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Known in the past as Food Stamps, or simply the EBT Card, SNAP assists low-income households to purchase food items. Generally, for a family of three, benefits range in the three to four hundred dollar range, however, it varies case-by-case. You can visit SNAP’s Massachusetts site, here, for a prescreening and online application. You can also call your local SNAP office, or call 1-855-306-8959, for further assistance.

Massachusetts Healthy Incentive Program

This healthy eating program, stacks on top of the SNAP program, to further benefit low-income single mothers and other households. Applicants who are eligible and receiving benefits from the SNAP program, are automatically enrolled in the HIP program.

The way the program works is, HIP gives you $1 back for each dollar you spend on approved fruits and veggies. Produce must also be bought at one of the HIP participating retailers, and there is a monthly limit on how much you can receive. Also, to receive HIP in Massachusetts, you must be a resident of that state. To learn more, visit their website today, here.

The Amber Grant

The Amber Grant, is a once-per-month cash grant in the amount of $1,000, with an opportunity to be granted an additional $10,000 at the end of the year. This is a business grant, but also a grant to help young women fulfill entrepreneurial dreams of theirs. The entire application process can be completed online on the WomensNet website. There are a few questions to answer about yourself, your business, how you would spend the money, and how you intend to “pay it forward”, to name a few. A $15 application fee is due upon submitting your application which is solely a processing fee. To find out if you qualify, and to apply, head to the Amber Grant Massachusetts website here.

The AAUW American Fellowships

This scholarship by American Fellowships supports students, mostly women, and is available only to a specific set of students. Namely, those who are either planning research-leave from a university that is accredited, preparing research for to be published, or completing a dissertation. Be prepared to be evaluated based on your grades, the originality of your design, and the overall quality of your project. All projects must include some sort of commitment to helping women and girls in the community. To learn more on this program for women, visit the website here.

Massachusetts TAFDC Program

This Massachusetts program, assists single mothers and families with children who are dependent, and also under the age of 18. Assistance comes in the form of cash, and is available to those with little to zero income, or assets. A work program is part of the deal, as a stipulation to receiving the benefits, and the limit on receiving funds is two years. Although the program is for single mothers and families, if you are pregnant and have no other children, you can still apply. All benefits are based on income, or lack thereof, to be more specific. To find out more, visit the website here.

Pell Grant

If you are a woman, or any student for that matter, wishing to attend college, then the Pell Grant is the number one most used, and useful of the federal school grants available. It allows for up to $6,000 per year, currently, and a maximum of 12 years of receiving the money. Now, tuition is deducted by your school first, then the remainder can be used by you to buy books, pay for room and board, and also pay for transportion, if needed.

The amount you receive, if any, is based largely on the amount of income your family has. The lower it is, the more you can receive. Applying is simple, just follow this link and fill out the FAFSA form found there. After that, visit the financial aid office of the school you wish to attend as they will be doling out the money. For more information on the participating schools in Massachusetts, follow this link here.

Live Your Dream Grant

The Live Your Dream grant program helps women who are the main source of income for their families and other dependents. If accepted, you can receive assistance with achieving higher education, improving overall education skills, and gaining higher employment. for more information on this excellent program, visit the link here.

As you can see, there are options for women who are seeking assistance in Massachusetts. Apply for a suitable program today, and get the support you need to take the next step in life.