Scholarships for Women
Featuring expert tips for applying to scholarships from Nancy Parode
There is a wide variety of scholarships available specifically for women. Whether you are a current classroom teacher, prospective educator, or an educator or counselor who wants to share financial resources for high school students pursuing college, this list is for you. Some of these scholarships are specific to the field of education, but we’ve included many for women pursuing any field of study.
You can get started by checking out the list of scholarships for women that follows. Then read on to find tips for getting a scholarship by professional college admissions counselor Nancy Parode.
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The AAUW’s Career Development Grant provides funding for women with a bachelor’s degree who pursue a master’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, certification program, or specialized training in technical or professional fields. Doctoral degrees are not included. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women who wish to advance in non-traditional fields.
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Provided by American Association of University Women
Application Deadline: November
Working Towards: Graduate degree
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is not renewable.
This scholarship is for graduate women working on a professional degree, master’s, or doctorate, or who are enrolled in postdoctoral study. The award is for one academic year for full-time study.
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Provided by Zeta National Educational Foundation
Application Deadline: February
Working Towards: Graduate degree
Awards Available: N/A
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is not renewable.
The Society of Women Engineers has close to 100 scholarship offerings for women at all education levels. While many are for women pursuing engineering degrees, some are open to all majors. Refer to the website to look over the abundance of scholarships.
Apply for this scholarship
Provided by Society of Women Engineers
Application Deadline: Application Deadline Varies
Working Towards: Undergraduate or graduate degree
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: Varies
GPA Required: Varies
Some scholarships offered are renewable.
This scholarship is awarded to female applicants who began their studies in a community college or technical school and are currently undertaking an advanced sociology Ph.D. The awarding committee looks for candidates who demonstrate a commitment to teaching—especially at institutions serving less-privileged students; an interest in activism and social equality, social justice, or social problems; and service to the local community, including mentoring.
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Provided by Sociologists for Women in Society
Application Deadline: May
Working Towards: Graduate degree
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is renewable.
The American Association of University Women provides this eight-week fellowship to women pursuing full-time study. The award pays for a student’s living expenses as they complete dissertations, conduct postdoctoral research full time, or prepare research for publication.
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Provided by American Association of University Women
Application Deadline: November
Working Towards: Graduate degree
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is not renewable.
Available by nomination only, this scholarship is intended for doctoral students displaying academic excellence. Applicants must also have been in university leadership positions that demonstrate their ability to make significant contributions in their chosen field.
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Provided by P.E.O. International
Application Deadline: January
Working Towards: Graduate degree
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is not renewable.
This scholarship is for female active duty military or veterans, as well as their descendants. Applicants can apply to scholarships at four levels: community college, certificate programs, undergraduate, or graduate. Community college and certificate program scholarship recipients may receive up to $1,000. University and graduate scholarship recipients may receive up to $2,500. Scholarships are awarded based on merit, community service, and need.
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Provided by Army Women’s Foundation
Application Deadline: January
Working Towards: Undergraduate degree
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: 2.5 to 3.0
This scholarship is not renewable.
A woman who is the daughter, granddaughter, stepdaughter, or adopted daughter of a career commissioned or warrant officer in the U.S. Army is eligible for this award. Applicants must be attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university. Scholarship awards are sent to the school in two equal payments, one per semester.
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Provided by Army Daughters: The Society of Daughters of the United States Army
Application Deadline: March
Working Towards: Undergraduate degree
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: 3.0
This scholarship is renewable.
Dr. Wynetta Frazier, Ph.D., is a champion of civil rights and has received a number of awards for her work. This scholarship is for Black women who had to stop their education due to family or personal demands and wish to go back to school. Applicants must be accepted to or currently attending college.
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Provided by National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc.
Application Deadline: February
Working Towards: Undergraduate or graduate degree
Awards Available: 2
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: N/A
This scholarship is not renewable.
This Native American organization offers two awards annually of $2,500 and $5,000. Applicants must be an enrolled female Tribal member, be accepted to (or already enrolled at) an accredited college or university, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and plan to work with a tribe or nation in education or social service.
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Provided by Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars
Application Deadline: June
Working Towards: Undergraduate degree
Awards Available: 2
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: 3.0
This scholarship is renewable.
The Dreams Scholarship Fund is open to women attending high school or college who can demonstrate that they are in need of financial help. The grant cannot be used for tuition or accommodations but is intended for additional needs such as textbooks, conferences, and other educational expenses.
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Provided by 1,000 Dreams Fund
Application Deadline: April
Working Towards: Undergraduate degree
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is not renewable.
Patsy Mink was a U.S. Congresswoman who advocated for women’s rights, economic justice, and civil liberties. This scholarship carries on her legacy by awarding low-income women scholarships for postsecondary education. Applicants must be mothers with minor children pursuing a first vocational degree/certificate; a first associate’s degree; a first bachelor’s degree; or a first professional/master’s/doctoral degree. Funds will be awarded based on need, personal circumstance, education path and goals, and service or civic goals.
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Provided by Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation
Application Deadline: August
Working Towards: Undergraduate or graduate degree
Awards Available: 5
Essay Required: N/A
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is renewable.
This scholarship gives women over 30 the chance to return to school to pursue new careers. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a continuing education professional studies program. Winners are chosen based on their essay describing their hope for the future and how they will change the world.
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Provided by Worthy
Application Deadline: December
Working Towards: Undergraduate degree
Awards Available: 3
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is not renewable.
Named in honor of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman to be elected to the United States Congress in 1916, this Women’s Foundation Scholarship awards $2,000 to low-income women aged 35 or older. Applicants should be pursuing a technical or vocational education, an associate’s degree, or a first bachelor’s degree at a regionally or Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) accredited college.
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Provided by Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
Application Deadline: February
Working Towards: Undergraduate degree
Awards Available: Varies
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is not renewable.
This scholarship is for women pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in the geosciences at an accredited U.S. institution. One master’s and one doctoral graduate student will be selected for the scholarship, which is merit-based and chosen by a committee consisting of eleven geoscientists representing a variety of industries. Students can apply to renew their scholarships and earn $5,000 in their second year.
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Provided by American Geosciences Institute
Application Deadline: February
Working Towards: Graduate degree
Awards Available: 2
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is renewable.
To foster the presence of women in STEM careers, the Zeta National Education Foundation offers this scholarship to current full-time undergraduate or graduate women pursuing a degree in a STEM field. Applicants must have exemplary leadership experience within their school or community.
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Provided by Zeta National Educational Foundation
Application Deadline: February
Working Towards: Undergraduate or graduate degree
Awards Available: N/A
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: 2.5
This scholarship is not renewable.
Applicants for this scholarship should have a strong sense of community leadership and be pursuing a degree in the environmental sciences. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in their junior year, senior year, or graduate program at an accredited college or university. Their declared major can be one of the following: civil, chemical, mechanical, electrical, or environmental engineering; or one of the environmental sciences, such as ecology, geology, or hydrogeology.
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Provided by Brown and Caldwell
Application Deadline: Application Deadline Varies
Working Towards: Graduate degree
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: 3
This scholarship is not renewable.
The Daughters of the American Revolution award one scholarship to those planning to teach elementary students and another for those interested in teaching at the secondary level. Applicants must be at least 25 years old and at least in their sophomore year of college.
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Provided by Daughters of the American Revolution
Application Deadline: January
Working Towards: Graduate degree
Awards Available: 2
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: 3.5
This scholarship is renewable.
Applicants to this scholarship from the Zeta Phi Beta sorority’s National Educational Foundation must be undergraduate or graduate women enrolled in either elementary or secondary education degree programs.
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Provided by Zeta National Educational Foundation
Application Deadline: February
Working Towards: Undergraduate or graduate degree
Awards Available: N/A
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is not renewable.
Applicants to this scholarship fund should be already accepted to or enrolled in an AMS-affiliated teacher education program at any of the following credential levels: Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood, Elementary (I, I–II, II), or Secondary (I, I–II). Winners are chosen based on financial need, personal statement, three original letters of recommendation, and the aforementioned acceptance onto an AMS program.
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Provided by American Montessori Society
Application Deadline: May
Working Towards: Undergraduate degree
Awards Available: 20
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is renewable.
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in a college or university and pursuing a career in education. They must also be a member in good standing of either Educators Rising, Educators Rising Collegiate, Pi Lambda Theta, or the PDK Association.
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Provided by PDK Educational Foundation
Application Deadline: April
Working Towards: Graduate degree
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is not renewable.
The federal TEACH Grant Program awards up to $4,000 per person to students who commit to teaching high-need subjects (such as mathematics, science, and foreign languages) in low-income areas for at least four years after graduating. Applicants must meet the basic eligibility criteria for federal aid programs and be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program.
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Provided by U.S. Department of Education
Application Deadline: October
Working Towards: Undergraduate degree
Awards Available: Unlimited
Essay Required: No
GPA Required: 3.25
This scholarship is renewable.
Applicants for this scholarship are expected to be dedicated to high professional standards of teaching and must be a graduate or undergraduate student majoring in education. Recipients are chosen based on merit and should have a proven interest in the work of the National Institute for Labor Relations Research.
Apply for this scholarship
Provided by National Institute for Labor Relations Research
Application Deadline: January
Working Towards: Undergraduate or graduate degree
Awards Available: 1
Essay Required: Yes
GPA Required: No
This scholarship is not renewable.
Tips for Finding Scholarships for Women from Nancy Parode
Nancy Parode teaches history, literature, and related subjects at a home school tutorial in Bowie, Maryland. She also serves as the tutorial’s college counselor. Her freelance writing career includes experience in researching and summarizing college programs, scholarship opportunities, and true costs of college attendance.
1. First, rejoice!
There are many scholarships available to women only, in addition to the scholarships every student can apply for.
2. Get organized.
Because there are so many scholarships to look at, you’ll save time if you come up with a system for tracking scholarship applications, documents submitted, and due dates. You can use a calendar app and spreadsheet, paper files and folders, or whatever else works for you.
Because each scholarship has a specific deadline and requires an assortment of supporting documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays, forms, and test scores (although many schools are going test-optional), staying organized will help ensure you don’t miss out on scholarship opportunities.
3. Before you start searching for scholarships, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Most colleges and universities require all scholarship applicants to submit the FAFSA. Some also require the College Board’s CSS Profile form; check with each school’s financial aid office to find out whether you will need to complete that form.
4. As you find scholarships you’d like to apply for, use your tracking system to note which types of documentation will be required.
Some documents, such as a résumé or essay, will require your own work. Others, such as transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation, must be prepared by others.
Give your recommenders as much time as possible to write your letters of recommendation. Help them write the best possible letters by providing a list of your accomplishments (academic and otherwise) and your educational goals. Even if they know you well, having that list will refresh their memory and make their task of writing a positive, enthusiastic letter of recommendation much easier.
5. Keep track of documents submitted on your behalf, such as transcripts and letters of recommendation.
If you see that a document hasn’t been submitted and the deadline is near, contact the scholarship provider to see if there is a way to resolve the problem. For example, you might be able to submit unofficial transcripts if your official transcripts are in process, but might not arrive on time.
6. Cast your scholarship search net wide.
There are so many different scholarships available to women! Some of these scholarships are for women who are studying for a particular career path, such as accounting or engineering, but there are also scholarships out there for minority women, LGBTQ women, women who are studying for the ministry in specific religious denominations, women who are daughters of veterans or who are veterans themselves, women who are single mothers, women who are returning to higher education, women who play sports, and so on. Places to look for opportunities include:
- Women’s professional associations
- Career-specific professional organizations
- Professional associations for minorities
- Professional associations for people with disabilities
- Community and civic groups
- Military and veterans’ organizations (if you or a parent served in the military)
- Religious organizations associated with your denomination
- Alumni associations
- Fraternal organizations
- Political associations
7. Come up with a list of schools to consider.
Each school’s website is the best place to learn about school-sponsored scholarships and other programs specifically for women. College and university diversity departments sometimes administer women-only scholarship programs, too. Contacting financial aid offices by email is helpful in two ways:
- It’s the quickest way to get your scholarship questions answered.
- Colleges keep files on students who contact them, and a college is usually more likely to offer admission to students who clearly demonstrate interest in that particular school via visits, tours, email contacts, and (when possible) telephone calls.
8. Finally, proofread everything carefully before you submit it.
If possible, have someone else proofread your writing, too. Your application and essay should represent your best work.