Adoption Resources

Birth Mother Scholarships for College

Written by AdoptMatch | Dec 5, 2021 4:45:00 PM

Check out these scholarship opportunities as one of many post- adoption services available for birth mothers.

AdoptMatch Birth Parent Scholarship

  • Scholarship program for birth mothers
  • $500 awarded twice per year (May and November)
  • Payment made directly to the educational institution

Application Period:

  • 1-2 recipients will be chosen in May (Mother’s Day) and November (National Adoption Month) of each year
  • Applicants should apply in either February/March (for May award) or August/September (for November award).

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicant must be a birth mother who placed a child for adoption within the past 5 years.
  • Applicant must have worked in some capacity with an AdoptMatch-Approved Professional Partner.

Find our list of our AdoptMatch-Approved Professional partners here.


  • Provide contact information for the professional (agency or attorney) that handled your adoption
  • Provide proof of part-time/full-time enrollment to an educational institution or trade school or submit a business plan employment (i.e., unofficial transcript)
  • Submit a 400-word essay answering the following questions:
  • Describe how adoption has impacted your life (both negatively and positively). 
  • In what ways do you desire to be a positive role model for your child?
  • How might the AdoptMatch Birth Mother Scholarship help you accomplish that goal? 

Complete application here.

Adoptions from the Heart

  • Educational scholarships can be used for trade schools or undergraduate studies at a university
  • Recipients are eligible for up to 8 semesters

Eligibility requirements:

  • Must have placed a child for adoption any time after 1985 (must provide a letter from your agency/attorney for verification).
  • Must have been accepted to a college or trade school.
  • Must show need for financial assistance (w-2 or previous year tax return)
  • Must write an essay regarding your adoption story

Complete application here.

Lifetime Adoption Foundation

Eligibility requirements:

  • Must be received 3 months before the start of enrollment to ensure processing
  • Must apply for the application herself (no third-party applications will be accepted)
  • Must show proof of part-time/full-time enrollment to an educational institution or trade school
  • Must be drug-free and have a current grade point average of C or higher
  • Must be a birth mother that has placed a child for adoption any time after 1990 (must provide verification from the professional that handled the adoption). Adoption must be legally finalized before receiving the scholarship.
  • Must write a 400-word essay.

Complete the online application here. 

Adoption Choice, Inc.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Must be a birth parent that has placed a child for adoption through Adoption Choice, Inc. (verification of placement from adoption professional is required)
  • Must be received 3 months before the start of enrollment to ensure processing
  • Must apply for the application herself (no third-party applications will be accepted)
  • Must show proof of part-time/full-time enrollment to an educational institution or trade school
  • Must have a current grade point average of C (2.5) or higher
  • Must be a birth mother that has placed a child for adoption any time after 1990.

Complete application here.

Forever Bound Adoption

Fred M. Riley Birth Parent Scholarship Fund

Eligibility requirements:

  • Must have letter of acceptance from educational institution or trade school
  • Must have been accepted to (or currently enrolled) in a university, vocational, technical or trade school
  • Must show a class schedule that includes applicant’s name and ID number
  • Must be drug-free and have a current GPA of C (2.5) or higher
  • Must provide a tuition invoice for the upcoming semester
  • Must write a 400-word essay describing future life goals

Read more about the scholarship here.

To apply, contact: Steve Sunday

EMAIL: steve@foreverboundaries.org

PHONE: (801) 821-1354

Adoption & Beyond

In deep appreciation to the birth parents who have chosen adoption for their child, Adoption & Beyond proudly offers educational scholarships.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicant has placed a child through Adoption & Beyond’s Agency Program and the adoption has been legally finalized.
  • Completed Application and Supporting documents must be received by April 15th each year.
  • Applicant must show proof of part-time or full-time enrollment or intention of enrollment in an educational or trade school in order to qualify. We will need either: a notification from registrant’s office, tuition invoice, class schedule with name and ID number, or acceptance letter from school.
  • If in school, applicant must have a current 2.5 or higher GPA (Grade Point Average).

Learn more about the scholarship and apply here.