Scholarships for Women

There are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of scholarships for women available today. For the first time in history, there are more women attending college today than men, and the numbers continue to rise. Women are learning more, working harder, and going further than ever before. Men still dominate most executive positions and make greater salaries than their female peers, but women are narrowing that gap. As more women become educated and obtain specialized and post-graduate degrees, they push higher and higher toward the glass ceiling holding them down. Many scholarships are designed to help women narrow that gap. Other scholarship foundations realize that women are less likely to justify the expense of their own education compared to their families’ other expenses. Without scholarships and financial aid, many women, particularly mothers, would be otherwise unable to attend college.

One of the best-established scholarship foundations for women is the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP). This foundation offers scholarships for survivors of domestic violence and young, single mothers of small children who are facing the greatest financial challenges. The goal of WISP is to provide previously battered women and single mothers the education necessary to become financially independent. Applicants for a WISP scholarship must pursue an accredited full- or part-time program, though they are free to choose from state-supported community colleges and universities, technical/vocational schools, or private schools.

The WFW, or Wind Foundation for Women, is a foundation that provides scholarships for women returning to school to pursue non-traditional roles or occupations, and also to connect them with women who have succeeded in those industries. WFW is dedicated to providing the education, experience, and opportunities necessary for women to create a better world. They wholeheartedly believe that women are the leaders of tomorrow, and they strive to create opportunities for women to fill those roles.

The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund is another well-established scholarship foundation. This scholarship is designed for low-income women aged 35 and older. Recipients of this scholarship must be motivated to break the cycle of poverty by obtaining the education necessary to secure successful careers. Jeannette Rankin was the first woman elected to Congress and was a very vocal proponent of peace and women’s rights.

Several different types of scholarships are offered by the Philanthropic Educational Organization, or P.E.O. This society is a pioneer society for women, founded in 1869 by a small group of students attending the Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The P.E.O now has a membership of 250,000 women in the United States and Canada. The P.E.O organizes five different programs – the Educational Loan Fund, International Peace Scholarship Fund, Program for Continuing Education, Scholar Awards, and STAR Scholarship. Each of those scholarship programs has different requirements and purposes.

Sixty $1,000 scholarships and six $10,000 scholarships are offered each year by the Talbot’s Women’s Scholarship Fund. These scholarships are designed for women who earned their high school diploma or GED at least ten years prior to applying, and are limited only to women seeking an undergraduate degree from an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university, or vocational/technical school.

The American Association of University Women Career Development Grants range in value from $2,000 to $12,000. These are offered to women that have already obtained a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change their careers or re-enter the work force after a period of staying at home. There is special consideration for minority women and those pursuing their first advanced degree. These scholarships can be applied to master’s degrees, second bachelor’s degrees, or specialized training in technical or professional fields.

The Accounting Scholarships for Women in Transition is a scholarship that can provide up to $16,000 over four years. Recipients of these scholarships have become the sole source of support for themselves and their families, whether by divorce, death, or other extenuating circumstances. These are eligible to incoming freshman, current freshman, or women returning to school with a freshman status.

For rising seniors and graduate students who are enrolled in a full-time computer science, computer engineering, or other technical program are eligible to receive the Google Anita Borg Memorial Society scholarship.

These are only a few examples of the vast amount of scholarships targeted specifically for women. Never before in history have women achieved as much as they have today, and more and more companies and not-for-profit organizations are realizing the infinite potential of women. They also realize more and more how hard it is for women to obtain an education. Many simply cannot justify spending thousands of dollars on their own education while they have young children to support, even if they could find a way to afford the expense. Others simply do not have the financial means to attend college without assistance. Women are so often the victims of mental and physical abuse, or are trapped in the cycle of poverty. An education is one of the only ways for a woman to break that cycle and find their own independence. These scholarship programs can give at-risk women a new chance at life. With just a little bit of research and patience, women in need of financial assistance to go to college can find scholarships designed for their situation, no matter what that situation may be.