In 1960, women made up almost 38 percent of the college enrollment. Today, female students outnumber their male counterparts (at 56 percent), and are projected to outpace male enrollment growth into 2026, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Since women represent over half of enrollment and the cost of higher education is at an all time high, the need for financial assistance is a familiar concept for millions. Fortunately there are thousands of scholarships and fellowships catered to women, so the cost of college shouldn’t deter anyone from earning an undergraduate or graduate degree.
To learn more about how you can pay for college, follow this guide and use our interactive tool to sort through the scholarship opportunities for women that you qualify for. But first, let’s not forget how far women have come since the 19th century beginning with the first coeducational college in the U.S., Oberlin College.
Scholarships and student loans impact the success of American female leaders who have contributed to technological and medical advances, economic progress, the prosperity of our country and more. The former First Lady, Michelle Obama, partly attributes her success to the help of scholarships and financial aid, based on a speech given by former President Barack Obama:
“Michelle and I, we're only where we are today because scholarships and student loans gave us a shot at a great education. — Barack Obama, 44th U.S. President
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from, there are many opportunities available to help you pay for college—find the combination that works best for you.
How to Pay for College
1
Scholarships
There are hundreds of scholarships for women, which are awarded by local organizations, private companies, societies and more.
2
Grants
Grants don’t need to be paid back and are based on your financial circumstances. They are usually funded by the federal government, your state or college.
3
Fellowships
While scholarships usually fund tuition, fellowships typically cover graduate study, research projects and abroad experiences without needing to be paid back.
4
Student Loans
You can borrow money from the government or a bank, but it needs to be paid back with interest. The federal government offers many loan options—fill out the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for financial aid. If you need help, use our interactive guide to learn how to answer every question.
5
Federal Work-Study Program
Provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to pay education expenses.
If you’re just beginning the process of finding suitable scholarships, make sure you’re prepared for the application process by starting a folder with the assets below.
Not all scholarships are based off of your GPA, but most need to verify your high school education to qualify. Try to get certified copies of your transcript early, so you have plenty of time to meet the deadline.
Although there are scholarship opportunities that aren’t merit-based, it’s valuable to take the SAT or ACT standardized tests in case it’s a scholarship qualification.
Your scholarship essay is what will bring attention to your application out of the pool of applicants. That’s why it’s important to craft a stand out piece that attests to your experience, adheres to the scholarship guidelines and most importantly, highlights your true personality.
Letters of recommendation are a true judgement of your character—something that can’t be revealed through your test scores or transcript. Reach out to former teachers, counselors or bosses, so that they can speak to your qualifications. You may also want to provide them with a resume that outlines your achievements and goals as well.
Whether you’re the valedictorian or have earned average grades, there are hundreds of scholarships to choose from. Below are a few types of scholarships you can look for.
Scholarships for Women
Instructions: Click through the dropdowns below to sort by your intended major, award amount or if you’re looking for need-based aid. Click the box for a larger view.
Girls Impact the World Film Festival Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
January 20, 2021
Candidates will submit a three to six minute film on a critical women's issue or a solution to a challenge women face in the world. Both high school students and undergraduate students can submit entries.
Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, Inc.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
Grants are available to fiction and nonfiction writers, poets, visual artists and mixed-genre categories (illustration and text) to feminist women in the arts. Two application periods are available each year.
Ann Liguori Foundation Sports Media Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
This scholarship is intended for those hoping to pursue a career in sports broadcasting, reporting, programming or production. Applicants must be at least a rising junior.
Carlozzi Family Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
This scholarship is awarded to a rising college sophomore, junior or senior who is a writer both inside and outside of the academic environment and who intends to pursue a career in which writing will be central. See website for details to apply.
Esperanza Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
This scholarship is awarded to a student of Hispanic heritage pursuing the dream of a career in communications.
Hearst Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
This scholarship is awarded to a college sophomore, junior, or senior with a demonstrated commitment to a career in magazines (editorial or ad sales) or digital media.
Interpublic Group Scholarship & Internship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
This scholarship is awarded to an ethnically diverse student who is currently a college junior and has demonstrated an interest in a career in communications. Candidates must be able to fulfill a paid internship in New York City during summer 2019.
Judy Corman Memorial Scholarship & Internship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
This scholarship is awarded to a student interested in communications and media relations and is a rising junior/senior in college who is able to fulfill a paid internship at the company’s New York City headquarters during summer 2019.
Kaplow Scholarship & Internship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
This scholarship is awarded to an ethnically diverse student interested in communications and media relations and is a rising sophomore, junior, or senior in college who is able to fulfill the paid internship at Kaplow during summer 2019.
Meredith Corporation Scholarship & Internship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
This scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to a career in publishing (print, digital and/or marketing) and who has completed the sophomore year in college. See website for more details on included internship.
Metamorphosis TLC Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
This scholarship is awarded to a student planning a career in journalism, with a preference for a student with an interest in covering STEM or education.
New York Women in Communications Alumna Award of Excellence
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
This scholarship is awarded to a previous scholarship winner who is dedicated to strengthening NYWICI and has shown outstanding growth as a student since she first became a recipient.
The Patricia O'Connell Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
This scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to pursuing a career in journalism and to maintaining journalistic standards and professional ethics at the highest level.
GET IT (Girls Exploring Together) Information Technology)
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
Applicant must reside in or be enrolled in a Michigan university. Applicant must be female and a member of an MCWT Foundation GET IT high school program. Applicant must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and be enrolled in a qualified program with a technical focus.
Dr. Elinor McGrath Scholarship
Amount: $500
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
The scholarship is offered to a female veterinary student in her 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of veterinary school. The recipient of this award will be selected based on her story of how she achieved her veterinary goals with the strength and determination of Dr. McGrath.
Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
Amount: $42,000
Deadline:
January 31, 2021
Candidates must be U.S. citizens accepted to or enrolled in an undergraduate program related to NOAA mission-related sciences of oceanography, marine biology and maritime archaeology, including all science, engineering and resource management of ocean and coastal areas.. Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.
S. Evelyn Lewis Memorial Medical Health Science Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
February 1, 2021
Undergraduate and graduate women enrolled in a medical or health field are eligible to apply. Students do not need to be members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Isabel M. Herson Scholarship in Education
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
February 1, 2021
Scholarships are available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a degree program for primary or secondary education. Students do not need to be members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Lullellia W. Harrison Counseling Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
February 1, 2021
Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a degree program for counseling are eligible to apply. Students do not need to be Zeta Phi Beta Sorority members.
Kappa Kappa Gamma Scholarships
Amount: $3,000
Deadline:
February 1, 2021
Initiated members of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority are eligible to apply for awards toward an undergraduate or graduate education. Students should have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
ANS Delayed Education Scholarship for Women
Amount: $4,000
Deadline:
February 1, 2021
Awards are given to women pursuing a four year degree in nuclear science, nuclear engineering or another nuclear-related field. Applicants must also have experienced at least a year delay or interruption in studies.
Beatrice F. Kroesche Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1000 - $2000
Deadline:
February 1, 2021
Available for females, females with hearing disabilities, and/or females with vision disabilities who are enrolled full-time as undergraduate students in the College of Education, College of Humanities, College of Engineering or David Eccles School of Business.
Women's Army Corps Veterans' Association Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Deadline:
February 2, 2021
Awards are intended to support relatives of Army Service Women. Applicants should be high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
The Business Forum Scholarship Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
February 7, 2021
The mission of scholarship is to foster the personal and professional growth of women in their higher education. Applicant must be a female US citizen or permanent resident residing in Dane County and must demonstrate financial need while applying for the scholarship.
Ruth Messmer Scholarship Fund
Amount: $1,200
Deadline:
February 10, 2021
Women who are pursuing a career in business, and have graduated from a private/public high school in Lee, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, or Collier County may apply.
Faye Lynn Roberts Education Scholarship Fund
Amount: $750
Deadline:
February 10, 2021
Single mothers who are at least 21 years old and residents of Lee County planning to pursue a career in technical studies, court reporting, computer training, or nursing may apply.
Society of Women Engineers Brill Family Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline:
February 14, 2021
The SWE Scholarship program offers scholarship opportunities for women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or above to qualify. Only women are eligible for this program, and you must be enrolled full-time.
ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
February 15, 2021
Grants are available to 10th and 11th graders in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The leadership fellowship allows young women to put their ideas into action.
Dorothy Andrews Kabis Memorial Internship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
February 20, 2021
Applicants for this internship at the National Federation of Republican Women headquarters must be at least a junior in college or a college student 21 years of age or older. Due to the nature of the internship, applicants should have a solid foundation of government knowledge with a keen interest in politics.
The R.L. Gillette, Gladys C. Anderson, and Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
February 20, 2021
The scholarship is applicable for given a female undergraduate student studying music. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or naturalized citizens. In addition to the general requirements, applicants must submit a music performance in a digital audio format such as MP3, WAV, or OGG.
Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship
Amount: $1,250
Deadline:
February 28, 2021
This award will recognize one African American female that's pursuing a full time bachelor's degree and participating in golf at an accredited university. Students must demonstrate academic achievement and community service for consideration
Marilynn Smith Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
February 28, 2021
Eligible applicants are high school seniors who have played golf in her community or for her high school golf. Candidates need to be planning to play golf at an accredited U.S. institution.
Re-entry Women Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline:
March 1, 2021
This scholarship is applicable for females only with high school graduate or GED without a bachelor's degree or AA/AS degree. The applicant must be living or attending a school in north San Diego county, including the northern part of the city of San Diego.
ESA Foundation Scholarship Program: esports Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Deadline:
March 2, 2021
This year, as part of its 2020-21 scholarship program, the ESA Foundation introduced its first-ever esports scholarship, offering academic support for women and minorities competitively gaming through their U.S. colleges and universities.Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Southern Automotive Women's Forum Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
March 9, 2021
Candidates are those enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate institution in the Southern states of Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Students must be women pursuing a degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) or the automotive field.
HORIZONS Foundation Scholarship
Amount: varies
Deadline:
March 15, 2021
Applicant must be a graduate or undergraduate female currently enrolled at an accredited university or college, either full-time or part- time (must be at least at junior level status). Must have an interest in pursuing a career related to national security or defense and have a minimum of a 3.25 GPA.
Toptal Scholarships
Amount: $10,000
Deadline:
March 31, 2021
Toptal is supporting future female leaders (CEOs, founders, world leaders who want to change the world) by offering a $10,000 scholarship and one year of mentorship.
1,000 Dreams Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
April 1, 2021
Qualified applicants are women currently attend high school or a two or four year college institution. Financial need must be demonstrated.
Virginia Heinlein Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline:
April 1, 2021
Candidates must be undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited four year institution and majoring in math, engineering, biological or physical sciences, or science fiction as literature. Candidates may be the residents of any country.
BHW Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Deadline:
April 15, 2021
This scholarship is for women pursuing an undergraduate or master's degree and majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
Sara Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline:
April 30, 2021
Eligible applicants include graduating female high school seniors who have demonstrated involvement in the sport of golf.
Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW) Scholarships
Amount: varies
Deadline:
April 30, 2021
The Central California Asian Pacific Women Scholarships provide financial assistance to Asian and Pacific Islander women who reside and/or grew up in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, and Tulare Counties. Academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and financial need will also be considered.
Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship
Amount: varies
Deadline:
May 1, 2021
This scholarship is for LGBTQ women who are graduating high school seniors enrolled in a higher education institution, undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must show their commitment to making the world a better place, have a history of academic excellence, and be involved in their communities.
Women Forward in Technology
Amount: $10,000
Deadline:
June 17, 2021
The Minority Corporate Counsel Association awards one student this non-renewable scholarship to a student in their first year of law school. Students can register on the scholarship website to learn more about specific eligibility requirements.
Journalism Education Association
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
The Journalism Education Association offers scholarships to those who desire to teach journalism. Students must be current undergraduate or graduate students.
