There are a wide variety of scholarships for women pursuing degrees in all fields, from arts and humanities to engineering and computer science. If you’re looking for information, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s an overview to help students begin their search.
What are the different types of scholarships for women?
Just like any other educational awards, scholarships for women are usually created and intended for a specific purpose. While there are some general scholarships out there, students may have better luck looking for something within a particular field or niche.
It’s definitely worth conducting a search on websites like Scholarships360.org and Scholarships.com to see what’s available. There are also roundup articles such as The Top 150 Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships for Women – Ultimate Guide. Here are a few great examples to get started.
STEM scholarships for women
- Learner Education Women in Mathematics Scholarship. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be a current high school senior who plans to study mathematics or related fields or an undergraduate currently studying in these fields. Apply here.
- Young Women in STEM Scholarship. Applicants can be female high school seniors and female undergraduates in STEM fields. Apply here.
- Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship. Applicants should plan to major in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Apply here.
Business scholarships for women
- Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship. This scholarship is available to women pursuing a business or management degree at the graduate or undergraduate level. Apply here.
- The Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund Scholarship. This scholarship is for female students pursuing a degree in business at a licensed, accredited, or state-approved institution. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Apply here.
Scholarships for women of color
- Dr. Arnita Young Boswell Scholarship. African American women can apply for the Boswell Scholarship from the National Hook-Up of Black Women Inc. Winners of this scholarship may receive mentoring from a member of the organization. Apply here.
- Latinas in STEM Scholarship. This scholarship is open to first-generation Latina students. Applicants can be high school seniors or undergraduate students interested in pursuing a STEM degree. Apply here.
- Asian American Women’s Alliance (AAWA) Scholarship. The AAWA gives out four scholarships to Asian American women each year. Students can receive this scholarship if they are currently in high school, college, or graduate school. Apply here.
Education scholarships for women
- Future Female Educators Scholarship. This scholarship is open to female high school seniors, undergraduates, or graduate students studying education. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Apply here.
- Isabel M. Herson Scholarship in Education. Women who are pursuing a degree in elementary or secondary education can receive the Herson Scholarship from the National Education Foundation of Zeta Phi Beta (ZNEF). This prize can be used for studies at the undergraduate or graduate level. Students do not need to be a member of Zeta Phi Beta to qualify. Apply here.
Scholarships for female doctoral students
- American Association of University Women Fellowships: American Fellowships. AAUW’s largest fellowship program, it supports women scholars who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents studying full-time for the completion of their dissertations, conducting postdoctoral research full-time, or preparing research for publication for eight consecutive weeks. Apply here.
- (ISC)² Graduate Scholarships. Applicants must be pursuing, or plan to pursue, a master’s degree program or doctoral studies with a focus on cybersecurity or information assurance and have a 3.5 GPA or higher. Apply here.
Scholarships for women returning to school
- AAUW Return to Learning Scholarships. This scholarship assists with the completion of an undergraduate or master’s degree or a certification program. Special consideration is given to women who demonstrate strong academics, financial need, and an interest in a STEM field of study. Apply here.
- AAUW’s Re-Entry Scholarship. This scholarship is intended for women who are returning to a school of higher education to complete their education. Apply here.
How to get scholarships for women …
Getting an education is expensive. Understandably, people want to avoid the burden of student loans, so competing for a scholarship can be tough. Being well prepared makes a big difference though! Here are some tips for winning a scholarship.
- Plan ahead. As soon as students set their sights on college, they should start researching scholarships. There are general awards, but if students are pursuing a degree in a specific field, look for scholarships tailored to those students. They should look at what the scholarship committee is looking for in candidates, and find ways to make themselves as competitive as possible.
- Get good grades. Not all scholarships for women require excellent grades or SAT/ACT scores, but keeping a GPA high certainly doesn’t hurt.
- Focus on leadership and service. Students should show the scholarship committee that they care about their community by engaging in local leadership and service projects.
- Connect with mentors. Applicants may need a reference or letter of recommendation for this application, so try to identify the people who might help and strengthen their connection.
- Submit a killer application. Review all of the steps in the scholarship application process, and make sure everything has been included. For applications that require an essay, be sure to have several people read it and provide feedback. Proofread everything (even letters from references!) to put a best foot forward.
