Finding scholarships for women can be challenging especially during an economic crisis. Students go back to college to improve their job prospects during these periods, they try to upskill in other to achieve their dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers, or professors. Most specifically securing an in-demand job that can foot their bills.
In some cases, they don’t have the opportunity to do so, instead, they take out time to marry and raise a family or enter another type of occupation in order to make ends meet. The reasons for wanting to go to college are as numerous as the people who make the choice to do so.
A major part of those students is female. Women represent over half the undergraduate class for Caucasians, and 62 percent of African American undergrads, but any ethnicity has the same slant between women and men. Some of these young ladies are fresh-faced eighteen-year-olds straight from high school with the ambition to change the world, but others may have had to put their lives on hold to raise a child. Some women may be furthering their education at the graduate level too.
So Paying for that education becomes a critical decision factor.
Funding
Loans, grants, and scholarships are three common ways to pay for a better education. Generally, lenders (banks and/or the federal government) require loans to be repaid with interest.
Financial aid such as grants and scholarships does not require repayment. It is common for students to wish to receive grants and scholarships first, as it is understandable: the more money a student receives from these two methods, the less they have to rely on expensive loans.
In this article, we will be sharing several scholarship options available, that are specifically designed for women.
How Do I Qualify for Scholarships for Women?
Whether or not you qualify for scholarships for women will depend upon what type of organization provides the funding. Many scholarships for women are funded by foundations, corporations, universities, government agencies, and more. Each one may have its own set of requirements, and there may be contentions about these types. Some are welcoming to all, while others may insist on proof of sex at birth, depending upon the situation.
Some organizations may require a certain GPA, test scores, or even a minimum number of hours completed per semester. Others may only accept applications from a specific group of individuals.
The best way to find out if you qualify is to contact the foundation directly. They should be able to tell you how to apply, and whether or not your application meets their criteria. If you’re unsure, then it’s always better to ask than to assume.
If you’re lucky enough to receive a scholarship for women, then congratulations! You’ve just won yourself a free ride to higher education. However, before you start celebrating, you need to know exactly what you’ll be getting into.
Field of Study
Women’s scholarships were first established decades ago to encourage more female students to pursue college-level education. Back then, women were a minority among college students. Over time, the number of women enrolled in colleges has increased dramatically. However, there continues to be an effort to improve the diversity of students at colleges across the country by increasing enrollment in STEM courses, creating additional opportunities for students, and encouraging entry into non-traditional career paths, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Engineering students are among those who could benefit from the American Association of University Women Scholarship. The group announced Thursday it will award up to $10,000 in scholarship money to students studying computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, and related fields.
American Association of University Women Scholarship (Fellowship & Grant):
The AAUW offers several scholarships geared toward undergraduate students, including the AAUW National Undergraduate Research Fellowship, which provides funding for students to conduct original research; the International Undergraduate Exchange Program, which gives undergraduates the opportunity to study abroad; and the AAUW National Student Leadership Conference, which brings together college leaders from around the world.
The AAU Women’s Engineering Society also awards scholarships to students pursuing degrees in engineering. The society sponsors an annual competition that encourages high school girls to pursue careers in engineering. Winners of the competition receive a full scholarship to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for four years.
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Learner Education Women in Mathematics Scholarship:
The Learner Education Women in Mathematics (LEWM) Scholarship supports women pursuing careers in mathematics and computer science. The award provides $5,000 annually for up to four years toward tuition costs. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and academic excellence, including a GPA of 3.0 or above. They are also required to submit letters of recommendation, a resume, a statement of purpose, three writing samples, and a personal essay about why they want to pursue a STEM degree.
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Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship:
The Elevate Women in Technology scholarship exists to help empower the next generation of extraordinary female leaders in technology. This $10,000 award will go towards funding a student’s education expenses. Students must be enrolled full-time at a college/university and pursuing a degree program related to computer science, engineering, mathematics, or physics. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential.
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Linda Hicks Memorial Scholarship:
The Linda Hicks Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Linda Hicks, a long-time friend, and volunteer at the Center for Women & Children. She passed away unexpectedly due to a heart attack while working at our shelter. Her family asked us to establish a scholarship fund in her name to support young adult women who are struggling with abuse and/or substance use issues. This scholarship will provide financial assistance to help offset costs associated with attending college.
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Chronic Boss Scholarship:
The Chronic Boss Foundation offers scholarships to female college students with chronic illnesses. These scholarships are meant to support women with autoimmunity disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in undergraduate programs and demonstrate financial need.
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Future Female Educators Scholarship:
The Future Female Educators Scholarship aims to support female-identifying undergraduate students who wish to study education. Applicants must identify themselves as female or gender nonconforming and must show financial need. Students must submit an essay describing how they plan to use their degree to positively impact society. They must also provide evidence of their commitment to social justice issues such as racial equality, LGBT+ rights, anti-racism, and environmental sustainability.
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Lillian’s & Ruby’s Way Scholarship:
The Lillian’s & Ruby’s way Scholarship is designed to help women achieve their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs. Applicants must be female, between the ages of 18-30, and pursuing an education at an accredited college/university. They must be enrolled full-time, maintain a 2.5 GPA or above, and demonstrate financial need. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, leadership potential, and financial need.
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“Fight for Equality” Women in STEM Scholarship:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced today the launch of a new scholarship program designed to increase diversity among STEM professionals. The “Fight for Equality: Women in STEM Scholarships” is aimed at supporting and encouraging young women to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer sciences (STEM). The NSF will provide up to $5,000 each year over four years to 10 recipients selected annually. Each recipient must demonstrate financial need and commitment to pursuing a career in STEM fields.
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Michigan Sugar Queen Scholarship:
Available to Ages 18-23, Award Amount: $2000 The Michigan Sugar Queen Scholarship program provides financial assistance to young women interested in pursuing careers in agriculture. Students must be enrolled in an accredited college within the state of Michigan and maintain a 3.0-grade point average while attending school. The scholarship covers tuition costs at an accredited college in Michigan. Applicants must be residents of counties where sugarbeets are produced and must demonstrate a commitment to working in the agricultural industry upon graduation.
Applicants must also be unmarried and without children. They must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their academic career and remain unmarried during the entire reign.
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Young Women In Public Affairs Award:
The Young Women In Public Affairs (YWIPA) Award is open to female high school seniors who are 16 or older and living in one of our District/Region Zonas or Zonal Countries. This award recognizes young women for outstanding leadership qualities and a commitment to public affairs and civic causes.
The YWIPA Award is available to those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and community service through volunteer work and involvement with organizations that promote youth development, health, education, human services, economic empowerment, and other areas of concern to the District/Region and its communities.
This award is intended to recognize and encourage young women to become leaders in their communities by providing them with opportunities to develop leadership skills and gain experience in public affairs.
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Mildred C. Hanson SIOR Memorial Scholarship:
The Mildred Sorensens are proud to announce the creation of the Mildred C. Hanson SI OR Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship honors the memory of our beloved mother, Mildred C. Hanson, whose life exemplified the ideals of integrity, kindness, compassion, hard work, and selflessness. Her passing left us without a strong family foundation upon which to build the future. We hope that the Mildred C. Hansen SI OR Memorial Scholarship will help provide opportunities for deserving students who wish to pursue careers in healthcare.
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Sylvia M. Knauss Endowed Scholarship:
The Sylvia M. Knauss endowment was established in honor of her husband, Dr. William H. Knauss, Sr., a renowned orthopedic surgeon. It is awarded annually to a student pursuing a degree in physical therapy.
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Women in Aerospace Foundation Scholarship:
The Women of the South Primary Providers Scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding students attending high schools located within the region served by the Women of the South Aerospace Education Center. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to aerospace education. Students must complete an application form, submit three letters of recommendation, and provide proof of enrollment in a secondary school program. Recipients are selected based upon their overall achievements and potential contributions to the field of aviation
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AARP Foundation:
AARP Foundation awards scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate degrees at accredited colleges and universities in the United States. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and academic merit. Eligible applicants must be enrolled full-time in an eligible college/university program during the application period. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. In addition to the $2,500 scholarship award, recipients receive a complimentary subscription to AARP magazine.
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American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE):
ASEE offers several scholarships to students who plan to enter into engineering careers. These scholarships include the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, which provides funding for graduate research training in science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, and technology fields. The fellowship is renewable for up to four years.
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American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA):
The AIAA Foundation offers two scholarships to students interested in pursuing a career in aeronautical engineering. One scholarship is available to students with a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education. The other scholarship is available to students who are currently enrolled in an accredited college or technical school. Both scholarships consist of a one-year tuition waiver and a monthly living allowance.
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American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB):
The ASBMB Foundation awards scholarships to students who demonstrate financial need and outstanding scholastic performance. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and may be renewed annually. Students must be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or graduate school.
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American Association of University Professors (AAUP):
The AAUP awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who show excellence in academics. Scholarship recipients receive a stipend that covers their expenses while attending school. Recipients also receive a certificate of recognition from the organization.
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Other scholarships for women include:
- The American Chemical Society Foundation’s Chemistry Graduate Fellowships provide financial support for graduate students working towards Ph. D.s in chemistry.
- The American Mathematical Society’s Math Horizons program supports undergraduate students interested in math and science.
- The National Science Foundation’s Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) program funds undergraduate minority students to work as summer interns in academic institutions across the country.
- The National Institutes of Health’s Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award for Individual Postdoctoral Scientists provides stipends for postdoctoral fellows to engage in biomedical research.
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Graduate Student Researchers’ Education Programs fund graduate student researchers to participate in NASA-sponsored educational programs.
- The National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Scholars Program provides stipends for humanities scholars to teach English language courses during the summer at colleges and universities throughout the United States.
- The National Endowment for Arts’ Creative Writing Fellowships offer grants to writers with no previous publication record.
- The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) offers scholarships to female students majoring in information technology.
- The National Security Agency’s Minerva Program provides stipends for doctoral candidates in physics, mathematics, or astronomy.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sea Grant College Program provides funding for marine scientists.
- The National Park Service’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) provides internships for high school students.
- The National Urban League’s Community Development Internship Program provides paid internships for college students.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) provides loans and technical assistance to small businesses.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund Basic Training Program provides training for individuals who want to become environmental cleanup workers.
- The U S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon Competition provides financial aid to teams of students who design solar-powered homes.
- The U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Program provides scholarships for study abroad.
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Educational Assistance Program provides education benefits for veterans.
- The United Nations World Food Programme provides food and emergency supplies to people around the world.
- The United States Department Of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) offers a variety of scholarships for agricultural professionals.
- The United States Postal Service’s Postal Service Scholarship Program provides financial support for postal employees pursuing higher education.
- The United States Department Of Health And Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) offers scholarships for healthcare providers
- Desiree Jeana Wapples Scholarship for Young Women; This scholarship supports female high school students in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Applicants must be enrolled full-time at a public high school in Virginia, have a GPA of 3.0 or greater and demonstrate financial need. Students are awarded $1,500 per semester for tuition costs. Applications open February 15th and close April 30th.
The best way to find out if you are eligible for a full scholarship is to contact the school directly. If they have not yet contacted you, it may be because they do not know that you are interested in their program. You should also check with your counselor, program coordinator or Student Adviser. They are in the best position to inform you what scholarships are available and the monetary value.
