Scholarships for Women

Returning to school can be expensive, which often makes it a daunting decision. The good news is there are many resources available to help you fund your education. According to the Education Data Initiative, over 1.8 million scholarships from private sources are distributed each year.¹ These scholarships range from broad to more specific demographics, and knowing what your options are as a woman can greatly reduce your financial burden.

College Scholarships are for Everyone

According to a Pew Research Center survey in 2021, 42% of adults without bachelor’s degrees cited not being able to afford college as a major reason.² However, there are many reasons to pursue scholarships regardless of your financial situation. Seeking out opportunities from organizations that align with your unique career goals can be great for networking.

Along with third party scholarships, you’ll also have access to financial aid options through your school. Remember to always keep an open mind and do your research about financial aid before applying to a program.

Scholarships for Women Going Back to School

There’s no shortage of scholarships for women returning to school. Based on your unique circumstances, you may qualify for a variety of options. Below are a few different scholarship categories to help get you started in your search.

Scholarships for Women in STEM Fields

Whether you’re interested in pursuing a degree in math, science or one of the other STEM fields, you can find a scholarship to help you achieve your goals.

• SNC Women in STEM Scholarship: The SNC Women in STEM Scholarship aims to support women pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a non-medical STEM-related field. It awards $7,500 per recipient.³
• The PixelPlex Bi-Annual STEM Scholarship: The PixelPlex Bi-Annual STEM Scholarship’s goal is to help inspire women to pursue careers in STEM fields. It awards $2,000 bi-annually.⁴
• The Science Ambassador Scholarship: The Science Ambassador Scholarship is an annual $20,000 scholarship for women in science, technology, engineering or math.⁵

Scholarships for Women in Business

Pursuing a business degree is one of the most versatile choices you can make in higher education. These scholarships can help ease your financial burden.

• Forte MBA Fellowships: The Forte MBA Fellowships program exists to help women who are applying for MBA degrees at Forte partner business schools.⁶
• Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship: The goal of the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship is to help reduce the gender gap in business programs and professions.⁷
• Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund: The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship fund awards grants to women who are pursuing their first associate or bachelor’s degree, are 35 or older and demonstrate financial need.⁸

Scholarships for Black Women

Scholarships for Black women who are returning to college cover a range of disciplines. Below are a few examples.

• Congressional Black Caucus Foundation: The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation awards more than 300 scholarships annually to promote future leaders.⁹
• Mae and Mary Legacy Foundation Scholarship: The Mae and Mary Legacy Foundation Scholarship is dedicated to advancing black women in the medical field.¹⁰
• The SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program: The SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program support future nurses through a grant from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.¹¹

Scholarships for Hispanic Women

Scholarship opportunities for Hispanic women also cover a range of disciplines. Be sure to seek out those that apply to your specific situation.

• ACS Scholarships: The ACS Scholarships are a group of financial awards given to students seeking degrees in chemistry.¹²
• AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities: The AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities gives funds to members of historically underrepresented communities who are pursuing degrees in science.¹³
• The Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education: The Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education is specifically for students living in Texas and pursuing graduate academic programs.¹⁴

Scholarships for Women Over 40

People of all ages decide to go back to school. If you’re over 40, there are scholarships built for your demographic.

• Brookhaven Women in Science Renate W. Chasman Scholarship: The Brookhaven Women in Science (BWIS) Renate W. Chasman Scholarship awards $2,500 to Long Island residents pursuing degrees in natural sciences, engineering or mathematics.¹⁵
• Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Mid-Life Women: The Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Mid-Life Women is sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women and awards up to $1,000.¹⁶
• Women’s Independence Scholarship Program: The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program awards college funds to victims of domestic abuse who are in financial need.¹⁷

Scholarships for Women in the Military and Veterans

In addition to the military support provided by many universities, there are also scholarships crafted specifically for veterans and women in the military.

• Dr. Nancy M. Schonher Scholarship: The Dr. Nancy M. Schonher Scholarship is sponsored by the Marines’ Memorial Association and Foundation and awards $5,000 to women in military roles.¹⁸
• U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Society Scholarships: The U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Society Scholarships are a collection of scholarships designed for women who have served honorably in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard.¹⁹
• Women’s Overseas Service League Scholarship: The Women’s Overseas Service Leage Scholarship awards between $500 and $1,000 to students committed to the advancement of the military.²⁰

Tips for Applying for Scholarships

As you can see, there are scholarships specifically designed to meet the needs of many unique demographics, so finding one that’s right for you might be easier than you think. When searching for scholarships online, include as much information as you can to help narrow down your search.

Once you find a scholarship program that meets your needs, pay close attention to the application and documentation required. Many programs ask for essays, and some want a list of previous experience. Don’t rush through these steps. Providing thoughtful responses that showcase your unique perspective and life journey will help make you stand out.

Familiarizing yourself with the tuition and costs of your school will also give you an idea of what kind of financial aid is most appropriate. Every situation is different, so exploring your options may take time.

Begin Your Education Journey Today

Finding the right program for you is just as important as finding the right scholarship. The online degree programs at Campbellsville University Online are designed to help you succeed in your passions and make meaningful career moves. Discover the program for you, and apply today!

Sources

1. Education Data Initiative. “Scholarship Statistics.” Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://educationdata.org/scholarship-statistics.
2. Pew Research Center. “What’s behind the growing gap between men and women in college completion?” Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/11/08/whats-behind-the-growing-gap-between-men-and-women-in-college-completion/.
3. Scholarship America. “SNC Women in STEM Scholarship.” Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/snc/.
4. Pixelplex. “$2,000 PixelPlex Bi-Annual STEM Scholarship.” Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://pixelplex.io/scholarship/.
5. Science Ambassador Scholarship. “The Science Ambassador Scholarship.” Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.scienceambassadorscholarship.org/.
6. Forte. “Forte MBA Fellowships.” Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.fortefoundation.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=mba_fellows.
7. Zonta International. “Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://www.zonta.org/Web/Web/Programs/Education/Women_in_Business_Scholarship.aspx.
8. Jeannette Rankin Foundation. “Transforming futures through education.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://rankinfoundation.org/.
9. Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. “Scholarships.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://www.cbcfinc.org/programs/scholarships/.
10. Mae & Mary Legacy Foundation, Inc. “Scholarship.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://www.maeandmarylegacyfoundation.org/apply.
11. EMFP Minority Fellowship Program. “The SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://apply.emfp.org/default.asp.
12. ACS. “Funding & Awards.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://www.acs.org/funding.html.
13. American Meteorological Society. “AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities (formerly Minority Scholarship).” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://www.ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams/information-for/students/ams-scholarships-and-fellowships/ams-scholarship-for-underserved-communities-formerly-minority-scholarship/.
14. The Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education. “TACHE, Est. 1974.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://www.tache.org/home.
15. Brookhaven National Laboratory. “Brookhaven Women in Science.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://www.bnl.gov/bwis/scholarships/.
16. Access Scholarships. “Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Mid-Life Women.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://accessscholarships.com/scholarship/sophie-greenstadt-scholarship-for-mid-life-women/.
17. Women’s Independence Scholarship Program, Inc. “Eligibility.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://wispinc.org/new-applicant-eligibility/.
18. Marines’ Memorial Association & Foundation. “Scholarships.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://marinesmemorial.org/scholarships/dr-nancy-m-schonher-scholarship/.
19. Army Women’s Foundation. “Scholarship Program.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://www.awfdn.org/scholarships/.
20. Women’s Overseas Service League. “Scholarships.” Retrieved December 3, 2024 from https://wosl.org/scholarships/.