Women Receive Grants to Pay for College
Statistically, in comparison to ten years ago, there has been an increase in the number of women entering post-secondary education and completing undergraduate degrees; however, women remain largely underrepresented in higher education and within many industry-specific careers compared to traditional students.

One of the main barriers to education that women have had to face in the past is funding (or lack of), and this has been more noticeable among minority women communities. Historically, colleges and universities had focused education towards white males, which meant financial support for women was not widely available. Nonetheless, recent years have seen massive changes within the educational system.

As a means to diversify academic institutions and promote education amongst women and females from minority backgrounds, college grants and financial aid programs have been made available to women through various sources, including organizations that specifically extend support to female students.

Grants for Non-traditional and Economically Disadvantaged Women

Women from disadvantaged backgrounds, single mothers and women over the traditional student age range face a number of challenges when considering post-secondary education. Lack of social support is one; however, financial support is the most critical challenge women are faced to tackle.

  • The Jeanette Ranking Foundation is supportive of non-traditional women over the age of 35. Each year the foundation provide college grants to a number of women who demonstrate financial need through the Womens Scholarship Fund in order to pursue technical and professional education programs, including two-year and Bachelors degrees.
  • The Business and Professional Women’s Foundation (BPW) acknowledges the financial restraints that create barriers to education for disadvantaged and minority women. Scholarships grants are available through the organization to support the career advancement of women above the normal college age.

Grants for Women Engaging in Underrepresented Fields of Study

Women interested in studying degree programs underrepresented by females can access a variety of college grant and scholarship programs available through public and private organizations, particularly if pursing degrees in business, engineering, law, mathematics, medicine, science and technology.

  • The Barry Goldwater Scholarship Grant provides a maximum of $7,500 per year and is available to women pursing undergraduate majors in science, math and engineering who intend to pursue careers in these fields. The grant money can be used to fund tuition, fees, books, and room and board.
  • The Ford Foundation Pre-doctoral and Dissertation Fellowship for Minorities provides grants to women and minority groups studying graduate degrees in underrepresented areas such as behavioral, social, physical and life sciences, engineering, humanities and mathematics. Annual stipends of up to $12,000 and tuition fees up to $6,000 are available to qualifying students.
  • The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) provides an array of grants and scholarships that assist undergraduate African American nurses actively enrolled in four-year undergraduate nursing degree programs. Grants are available to both men and women students and worth up to $2,000 per academic year.
  • The National Physical Science Consortium (NPSC) administers Fellowships available to women and minority students pursuing degrees in Physical Sciences. Award amounts vary and support underrepresented students with interests in computer science, geology, astronomy, chemistry, and math.

Grants for Women Pursuing Business Related Degrees

Women pursuing careers in business can access grants and scholarships specifically designed for women returning to school to enhance their business career prospects; popular sources of grants money include funds available from business associations and foundations that actively support the professional education of minority women from all backgrounds.

  • The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a leading source of assistance for women pursuing academic and professional development. Supporting many women from diverse and minority backgrounds, the organization provides grants to on a need-based basis to economically disadvantaged women returning to college to enhance their career prospects.
  • The American Society of Woman Accountants (ASWA) awards several grants and scholarships to women pursing graduate degrees in accounting and finance. They also provide grants to cover travel costs and industry certification fees.
  • The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA) is another source of need-based and merit-based grants for women pursuing a two-year, four-year or masters degree in or accounting or finance.