There are a wide range of scholarships for women at all levels of study and all ages. Whether you are in high school, or ready to pursue a bachelors or graduate degree, there are a multitude of scholarships and grants available to make going back to school more affordable. Read on to learn more about this available financial aid.
$1,600
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for female graduating seniors at Sullivan East High School in Bluff City, Tennessee. To be eligible, an applicant must have been active on at least one school sports team during her high school years.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is open to female college sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and graduate students who are majoring in engineering or computer science at an Indiana college/university. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; students with financial need are given preference.
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$1,750
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is open to female college sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and graduate students who are majoring in engineering or computer science and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must be members of SWE and attend a school within the SWE Region H boundaries.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to female re-entry/non-traditional students who are majoring in engineering or computer science and are members of SWE. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and attend an institution within the SWE Region J boundaries.
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$6,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. graduate students who have a bachelor's degree and are pursuing a master's degree in chemical or environmental engineering; an emphasis in water and/or wastewater treatment is preferred. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is for female U.S. college sophomores who are SWE members and majoring in civil engineering, construction management engineering, and mechanical engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is open to re-entry/non-traditional female students who plan to major in engineering and have completed two or more years of full-time credits (does not have to be in an engineering curriculum). Students must reside or attend school in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington, and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 23
Deadline
This scholarship is open to women who are U.S. or Canadian citizens/permanent residents who have been admitted to graduate training (M.S. or Ph.D.) in statistics. Women in or entering the early stages of graduate training are especially encouraged to apply.
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$8,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Feb 26
Deadline
This award is for U.S. women who are 35 years of age or older as of March 1, 2019. Students must be pursuing a technical/vocational education, an associate's degree, or a first bachelor's degree. The student's family must have an annual income that meets the described financial need guidelines.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for female students who are entering their junior year of a four-year ABET-accredited engineering program.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. female high school seniors who are current members of the American Legion Auxiliary and have been members for the past three years. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$4,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. women who are entering their fourth or fifth year of accounting education at a Florida college or university. Scholarships are awarded for academic excellence, tempered with professional and community involvement.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to seniors at the Carver Vocational-Technical High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$18,000
Award Amount
9
Awards
Feb 29
Deadline
This award is for U.S. female students, who are college freshmen or older, and are members of a sorority that is in good standing with the National Panhellenic Council and CAPA. Applicants must have graduated from a high school in the Greater Cleveland area and have a permanent residence in the same Greater Cleveland area which includes the counties of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Summit and Ashtabula.
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$7,500
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. first- and second-year college students who are attending select universities and demonstrate high academic achievement are eligible for this award.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students residing in Kent County, Michigan. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 and demonstrate unmet financial need. Preference will be given to women of color.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
The Lavina Laible Scholarship is available for female undergraduate students residing in Kent County, Michigan. Applicants must be entering her junior or senior year at the University of Michigan at the time of application.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for female students residing in Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, or Ottawa counties in Michigan. Applicants must be enrolled at the University of Michigan, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and demonstrate unmet financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for female high school seniors in Baltimore, MD. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must plan to attend a two- or four-year college or university in the U.S.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to female high school seniors who are graduating from a high school in Michigan and planning to enroll in an ABET-accredited engineering program. Students will be judged on academic performance, the application essay, high school awards/honors, and high school leadership/activities/employment.
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$8,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
The Elizabeth Miller Watkins Memorial Scholarship Fund is provided annually to undergraduate students at the University of Kansas who have unmet financial need and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference will be given to women who are the first of their families to attend college.
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$10,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
The Auburn Woman's Club Scholarship is available for female high school seniors in Auburn, Massachusetts. Applicants must have unmet financial need and a record of community participation through extracurricular activities.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
The Kelly A. Davis Memorial Scholarship is available for female seniors at Grafton High School who are active in varsity-level sports.
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$1,800
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
The Dorothy Prewitt Pohlman and AAUW Scholarship is available for women who are graduating from Wenatchee Valley College and planning to pursue a four-year degree at another college or university in Washington state.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
The Women's Service League of Wenatchee Scholarship is available for graduating high school senior women at Wenatchee, WestSide, Eastmont, Cashmere, Cascade, and Quincy High Schools in north central Washington State.
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Some scholarships are for women or color or need-based. Other scholarships may target a specific field to incentivize women to study it, including scholarships for women who are interested in pursuing careers in STEM, business, education, aviation, and nursing – just to name a few.
Yet other scholarship opportunities are available if you reside in a certain state or plan to attend a certain college or university. specific schools. You’ll also find scholarships if you are a woman serving or who has served in the United States Armed Forces. You may also be eligible for funding if your spouse, child, or parent has served in the military!
The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship is a great example. Applicants must be a woman who has served or is serving honorably in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, Army National Guard. Children of women who serve or have served in one of these branches, may also be eligible for awards.
Male vs Female Scholarships
Unless a scholarship has criteria that says otherwise, both men and women canapply. But some providers want to award scholarships that specifically support women pursuing higher education. Female scholarships thus restrict applicants to persons who identify as female.
To get this kind of financial help, you’ll compete with other women. Though there may be other rules about eligibility. These might include showing financial need, a specific GPA, SAT/ACT scores, background, geographic location, talent, or other factor.
Nonetheless, unlike student loans that do require repayment, scholarships generally do not need to be paid back and may help you get the education you seek affordably. You do need to respect the conditions of the scholarship so make sure to understand the requirements and expectations prior to applying and accepting any scholarship award.
Types of Scholarships Women Can Apply For
There are two kinds of scholarships that women might apply for. One is need-based, which is generally based on your household income and finances. Need-based grants and scholarships are often awarded to students who might otherwise not be able afford to goto school. Merit based scholarships are awarded based on a student’s grades, test scores, or other academic performance factors. Some scholarships and grants can be awarded based on both a student’s need and merit.
Within these broad categories, there are scholarships for females of certain age ranges. Many providers also offer awards to help underserved groups of women pursue a college or graduate level education. Others focus on supporting women in reaching a specific degree level or career path. We’ll walk you through a few to give you an idea of how to streamline your search for the perfect scholarships.
Grants for Women
A great source for funding your education are grants. Grants do not need to be repaid and are available from the federal government, states, and colleges and universities.
One of the most popular grants is the Pell Grant offered by the federal government. This is a need-based grant that can provide awards of up to $7,395 for 2024-25. In order to qualify for a Pell Grant, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”) and meet income requirements. The FAFSA is also important to unlock all kinds of other grants for women that you may be eligible for from your state or colleges and universities directly.
Speaking of grants from colleges and universities, many schools offer students money to make education more affordable but also encourage students to attend their school. Award amounts can also be based on student need but also merit-based factors.
How Can Women Get STEM Scholarships?
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) scholarships may be available through technology companies, such as Google, associations, or foundations. . You may also find industry specific STEM scholarships when enrolled in full time study. Government organizations, such as various states, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Defense, also provide STEM grants and scholarships.
According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), women make up only 34% of the workforce in STEM fields. In computer science and engineering, the gender gap is even more significant. Many organizations recognize this gap and specifically want to help expand the number of women working in STEM fields. This means there are many STEM scholarships focused on women you can apply to!
Scholarships for Women in STEM
The Brookhaven Women in Science (BWIS) offers the Renate W. Chasman Scholarship. It consists of a one time $2,500 award. Applicants must be female graduate students attending an accredited institution. They must also be performing STEM research at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Since STEM comprises several fields, there are a number of other options. If you prefer statistics, try applying for the Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship. They offer a $1,000 award to women studying statistics. The scholarship was established in 1989 to encourage more women to enter statistically oriented professions. Eligible applicants must submit an essay, transcript and application form.
You might also find scholarships through engineering associations. The Society for Women Engineers (SWE) offers many engineering scholarships to women pursuing STEM fields. They often pair with a certain college or university with ABET accredited programs. There’s also the Houzz Women in Architecture Scholarship, which supports the next generation of female architects and architectural engineers.
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN
College bound women have a range of scholarships to choose from. It is a good idea to consider your career and study goals when searching for different scholarships. This is because many providers want to pave the way for women to succeed in their industry.
Women in Public Finance Scholarship awards $3,000 scholarships to 10 eligible female students. Applicants need to have an interest in pursuing a public finance related career in finance, government, non-profit organizations, or law.
Scholarships for Female Grad Students
There are many graduate scholarships for women. It all depends on what you want to study. Are you a business minded woman looking for an MBA scholarship? Wondering about law school scholarships for women? Or, maybe you want to become a nurse practitioner? Use this to focus your search.
One to check out is the Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship program. It helps women pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management. The scholarship is also open to international female students.
Scholarships for Women Over 40 and 50
Many scholarships are for women who want to change or advance a career or reenter the workforce. Scholarships for women over 40 make it possible to return to school without taking out huge student loans.
One example is the Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Mid-life Women. It is for women age 35 and up living in the Greater Los Angeles area. You must be entering or continuing a program to learn a marketable skill in order to qualify for this scholarship. One that will lead to economic self sufficiency.
Another option might be the Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund. It provides scholarships for low income women ages 35 t and older across the United States. Their goal is to improve lives through post secondary education.
Scholarships for Women of Color
If you are a woman of color looking to further your education, there are many scholarships to consider.
One example is Orchard’s Scholarship for Women of Color in STEM, which provides awards of up to $2,500 to qualified applicants who are pursuing STEM fields. Another is the Women of Color Professional Developement Fund, offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which provides women, persons of color, non-binary, and transgendered who are MIT students with awards of up to $300 per year. The African-American Entrepreneurs Grant – Female Award provides black female entrepreneurs of grants of up to $1,000.
Scholarships for Single Moms
If you are a single mother, there are a number of scholarships to look into. The Ellen M. Cherry-Delawder Memorial Scholarship provides awards of up to $4,000 for single mothers pursing a business related field.
Many single moms with lower incomes may also be eligible for the Federal Supplemental Educatonal Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), which provides undergraduate students with awards of up to $4,000 per year. FSEOG is need-based and requires you to complete a FAFSA.
Scholarships for Female High School Students
If you are a female high school student, there are scholarships available, even if you don’t yet know what you will major in just yet. One example is the 1,000 Dreams Scholarship Fund Recipients get money to pay for extracurricular activities, lessons, and conferences. Another is the P.E.O. Star Scholarship. It goes to females in their senior year of high school. You need an unweighted 3.0 GPA and leadership skills to apply.
What Makes Scholarships for Women Unique?
Scholarships may help female students succeed in school and in their careers. One study found that women are 50% less likely to get help from their parents to finance their studies than men. But women make up the majority of college and university students. As of Spring 2024, there were just under 17.8 million students enrolled in the U.S. colleges and universities, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NCSC). Of these, 9.8 million or 55% are female.
This isn’t always the case in the workforce. Women are still breaking ground in traditionally male dominated areas. As of 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Labor,44% of full time wage and salary workers were women. The numbers shift depending on the field of employment. The good news is women in the labor force are more educated than in the past 50 years. According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2022 women account for nearly 51% of the college educated workforce in the U.S. Women overtook men in this category in 2019.
Many scholarship providers recognize these trends. They want to help women fulfill their dreams. For instance, there are many scholarships for women in computer science and engineering, areas that women are breaking ground in.
The Women Techmakers Scholars program is offered through Google. tThe scholarship is in honor of Dr. Anita Borg. She spent her life trying to break down barriers – ones that keep women and persons of color from pursuing a tech focused career.
A Peek at Women in the Workforce
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the percentage of women employed by select occupations:
Career Path
|
Percentage of Women Employed
|
Registered Nurses
|
86%
|
Elementary school teachers
|
83%
|
Accountants and auditors
|
60%
|
Management
|
52%
|
Life, physical, and social science occupations
|
42%
|
Physicians and surgeons
|
38%
|
Chief executives
|
31%
|
Computer and mathematical occupations
|
27%
|
Software developers
|
20%
|
Architecture and engineering occupations
|
17%
|
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List