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Last updated: March 19, 2018
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.
How to Pay | Application Preparation | Scholarships for Women | All Scholarships
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.
There are hundreds of scholarships for women, which are awarded by local organizations, private companies, societies and more.
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.
While scholarships usually fund tuition, fellowships typically cover graduate study, research projects and abroad experiences without needing to be paid back.
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.
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.
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.
Amount: $500
Deadline: July 1, 2018
Any U.S. resident that has been accepted to an accredited university can apply. Applicants are asked to answer questions on immigration for a chance to win.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 1, 2018
Applicants must be a senior in high school or currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. The scholarship's mission is to bring recognition to women who seek the truth.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: July 1, 2018
The scholarship is available to all students who identify as women and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. All applicants must be currently pursuing, or plan to pursue, a degree with a focus on science, technology, engineering, or math.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: July 1, 2018
Applicants must be currently enrolled at a university or college recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Awards are granted to female students studying, or planning to study, the fields of engineering, mathematics, technology or science (excluding the social sciences).
Amount: Varies
Deadline: July 13, 2018
Women's Chefs and Restaurateurs give scholarship awards to students who are pursuing a culinary degree and active members of WCR. Eligibility and award amounts differ from scholarship to scholarship. Check the WCR website for current award opportunities.
Amount: $500
Deadline: August 25, 2018
Students who are between the ages of 18 and 25 enrolled in an accredited university are eligible to apply. Winners will be selected based on a 500-word essay about the importance of education.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: August 28, 2018
The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program awards scholarships to women who desire to teach science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at the K-12 level.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: October 1, 2018
Awards are given to current female undergraduate candidates who excel in mathematics and are pursuing a career in mathematics. Candidates can be freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors at the time of their application.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: October 31, 2018
Applicant must have a minimum of three years racing experience and must provide a racing resume. Applicant must provide driver/team personnel, vendor/supplier/racing series, and sponsorship information as well as two letters of recommendation and a 250 word essay.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: December 1, 2018
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.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: December 11, 2018
Females enrolled in an accredited STEM program in the U.S. or Canada are eligible for this award. Must demonstrate strong academics and leadership for women in computer science to be considered.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January 31, 2019
Women attending or planning to attend a four year college or university are eligible. Preference is given to amateur radio operators performing at a high academic level and those who are residents of the states of Texas and Arkansas, along with those from the ARRL West Gulf region.
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: February 1, 2019
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.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
The Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists offers scholarship awards to aspiring women journalists. Application periods run twice per year. Current eligibility requirements can be found on the scholarship's website.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
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.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
YoungArts offers female aspiring artists in grades 10-12 the ability to grow their abilities through mentorships, national recognition and other opportunities related to the pursuit of a career in the arts.
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.
Amount: $1,500
Deadline:
Currently enrolled women of an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited U.S. educational institution can apply for this award. Applicants must meet the age requirements on the current application and show proven interest in international relations, international trade, international development, international business or international economics.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
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.
Amount: $20,000
Deadline:
Applicants must be women 35 years old or older who have not previously attended an accredited university offering bachelor's degrees. Candidates must be admitted to an accredited institution offering bachelor's degrees.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Candidates must be enrolled at least part-time at an educational, accredited or approved school, or be in a workshop, course or seminar, or language class relating to Danish heritage or culture. This scholarship is awarded to women by the Danish Sisterhood of America.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
To first qualify for any award, candidates must participate in a Distinguished Young Women event. College-granted and cash tuition scholarships are available. See scholarship website for various details and application requirements.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Women who plan to attend or currently attend an accredited institution in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee are eligible to apply. The Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship Program funds annual awards for various institutions and degree programs. See the program's website for details and participating colleges.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Due to the Lifetime Adoption Foundation Scholarship's nature and mission, applicants must be a birth mother that placed a child for adoption after 1990. Applicants need to provide proof of part-time or full-time enrollment at an educational institution or trade school. Students must have a C or higher GPA.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Women over the age of 25 who are not citizens of the U.S. or Canada but attend institutions in those countries are eligible to apply. Some scholarships provide up to $12,000, while others offer funding for study abroad experiences. See the website for current awards and eligibility requirements.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
This scholarship is for women who are the primary financial support for themselves and their dependents (see scholarship website for dependent qualifications). Applicants must be accepted to or currently enrolled in a skills training, vocational training or undergraduate degree program.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
To be eligible, candidates must be seeking an undergraduate degree from a two or four year university or college, or a technical/vocational school. For more details, see the Talbot's Women's Scholarship Fund website.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
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.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
The International Women's Scholarship supports lay women who come from developing countries who are seeking Roman Catholic ministry credentials. Applicants must agree to work in their country after program completion.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
To be eligible for awards, women must be currently enrolled at a college or university pursuing an undergraduate degree at the junior level or higher, or be enrolled in a graduate program. Successful candidates demonstrate interest and intent to pursue a career related to national defense or security.
Amount: $500
Deadline:
Women active in the U.S. Presbyterian Church who wish to develop their leadership skills are eligible to apply. Scholarships are granted to those who wish to further the mission of Presbyterian Women.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Women of any age, pursuing an accredited business or business-related program who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field, are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
Scholarships are open to full-time female students who are pursuing a career in sports media. Eligible majors include public relations, writing, copy editing and broadcasting.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
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.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
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.
Amount: $1,250
Deadline:
Candidates must be female undergraduate students at an accredited four year institution, with a major in math, engineering, or biological or physical sciences. Candidates may be the residents of any country.
Amount: $3,000
Deadline:
The P.E.O. Program supports women whose education was interrupted. Candidates must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program and be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Candidates are female survivors of intimate partner abuse who are now separated from their abuser who are in critical need of financial assistance. Applicants must accepted to or enrolled in a course of study at an accredited U.S. institution.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
High school sophomore and juniors in high school are eligible to apply for the free 7-week program in their respective location. Candidates must have a U.S. address and be able to commute to and from the Girls Who Code program.
Amount: $4,000
Deadline:
Eligible students are female undergraduates attending an accredited institution for industrial engineering. Schools may be located in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: November 12, 2018
If you want to pursue a degree in aeronautical, electrical, or mechanical engineering with a passion to work in the airline/aviation industry apply to American Airlines Engineering Scholarship. The applicant must be US citizen or permanent resident minimum 16 years old and member of WAI to be eligible for scholarship.