Scholarships, grants, and fellowships could help you save thousands on college. Explore financial aid opportunities for women to launch your next step.
While the cost of college is on the rise, there are also better resources than ever before to find scholarships available for students like you. If you’re on the fence about applying for college or don’t know how to afford it, scholarships can be a lifeline to a new career or an opportunity to graduate with less debt.
Below, you’ll find some of the best scholarships for women this year, including scholarships for moms, women in STEM, and other diverse options to help you launch your career.
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Scholarships
Scholarships are a form of financial aid usually granted based on specific performance criteria. There are athletic scholarships, merit scholarships, and scholarships based on financial need.
You can choose public or private scholarships and scholarships offered directly through your college. Many scholarships, including those in the list below, may also be targeted to students pursuing a specific degree, profession, or area of academic research.
You generally don’t need to repay a scholarship, which makes scholarships especially attractive compared to loans.
Need-Based Scholarships for Women
Amount: Up to $1,000
Deadline: March 31
The 1,000 Dreams Scholarship is designed to help new college students cover extra costs outside of tuition, such as graduate exam application fees, textbooks, educational conferences, or artistic pursuits.
This need-based scholarship is open to women attending high school, a two-year or four-year college/university, or graduate school in the United States.
Amount: Up to $6,000
Deadline: Varies; new application window opens in late January 2025
The Horizons Scholarship from Women in Defense is available to female college students with demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students, although undergrads must be at least in their junior year.
To apply, you’ll need proof of U.S. citizenship, a copy of your college transcripts, two letters of recommendation, your resume, and a 500-word essay.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 2025; applications open November 11, 2024
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation aims to empower nontraditional female students to complete their college degrees and transform the next chapter of their lives. It awards scholarships and grants to women aged 35 or older who show financial need and are pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
Amount: $4,000
Deadline: TBD; scholarship opens November 15, 2024
The Perry ‘Second Chances’ Scholarship Award is for women and girls who are U.S. citizens and have been impacted by incarceration. The award gives priority to women of color.
To apply, you must submit two letters of recommendation, a one to two-minute video essay, your most recent transcripts, and your criminal record.
The “Mom to Scholar” scholarship for moms is available to women over 35 who want to begin or resume their journey toward earning a technical or college degree after becoming mothers.
To apply, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Your application will be reviewed based on the quality of your essay and your overall scholarship application.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: June 30
The Capture the Dream Scholarship for single parents is open to parents in the greater Bay Area. To apply, you’ll need to be enrolled in a qualifying university, have legal custody of one or more children, meet income eligibility and financial aid confirmation, and submit a resume and letter of recommendation.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: August 1, 2025
The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation provides an Education Support Scholarship designed to support single mothers who classify as low income. To qualify, you must be a woman with minor children, at least 17 years of age, and pursuing a degree or vocational training from an accredited, nonprofit college or university.
The MISS Award (Moms In School) aims to support Black or African American mothers pursuing degrees. You can qualify while pursuing any undergraduate or graduate degree. Adult learners or those earning a second degree are also eligible.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 30, 2024
The B.A.B.Y. L.O.V.E. Scholarship is open to African American female high school seniors or undergraduates. The scholarship is awarded to someone who embodies the B.A.B.Y. L.O.V.E. spirit of a beautiful heart and yearning to help others with a passion for education.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: June 2025
The Brown Girls Do, Inc. College Scholarship awards $2,000 to multiple full-time female undergraduate students of color with a strong dance background. The scholarship prioritizes first-generation college students with demonstrated financial need.
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) dispenses various scholarships. In 2023, SWE disbursed over 330 new and renewed scholarships worth more than $1.5 million.
SWE scholarships are open to undergraduate and graduate female students pursuing an engineering, technology, or computing degree at an ABET-accredited school.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: Scholarship still to open for 2025, expected deadline around March 13
The Women at Microsoft scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors who identify as women. To qualify, you must plan to enroll full time in a tech, engineering, math, or computer science-related undergraduate program at an accredited college or vocational school in the U.S. for the upcoming year.
Scholarships for Women in Business
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 1
The Adore Me Scholarship is open to women pursuing a degree in business or entrepreneurship. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a demonstrated ability to lead in your community or academic achievement. To be eligible, you must also plan to start your own business or have already begun a business.
Amount: Up to $10,000
Deadline: Varies
The C200 Scholar Award is available to female MBA students enrolled in a program that hosts C200 Reach Outs. The program aims to inspire, educate, support, and advance current and future women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. Scholarship winners are selected based on their work experience, GPA, recommendations, and essays.
Amount: Four-year, quarter-tuition merit scholarship at Babson College
Deadline: Varies
The Women’s Leadership Scholarship at Babson College is awarded to undergraduate students based on their academic achievement and demonstrated leadership in school and community activities. Information you provide on the general Babson application is used to evaluate scholarship eligibility.
Amount: $5,000 or more
Deadline: November 1
The Vira I. Heinz (VIH) Women, Non-Binary, and Transgender Global Leaders Scholarship is open to female college students in Pennsylvania. Three first-time scholars from each Pennsylvania institution admitted into the program receive at least $5,000 toward the cost of a summer global experience.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
The YMCA is “dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” YWCA locations nationwide offer scholarships focused on leadership development for female college students.
YMCA Scholarships include the $15,000 Prudential Emerging Visionaries Scholarship and the $30,000 JSU Alabama Leadership Scholarship.
Fellowships for Women
Although fellowships and scholarships are often discussed interchangeably, subtle differences exist — especially in terms of who is eligible to receive them. Fellowships in the academic arena are typically reserved for students completing postbaccalaureate work. Many graduate students work as teaching assistants via a fellowship. At the same time, doctoral and postdoctoral learners may receive a research fellowship to complete their dissertation or further their research upon graduation.
Unlike scholarships, most fellowships require some type of work component, be it an internship or research-based service. Applications are typically more intensive than scholarships, given that fellowships often provide more funds and are more hands-on in their requirements.
Explore fellowship opportunities for women below.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: November 15
The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is available to up to 30 women pursuing a doctoral or Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering and space sciences. You can use the fellowship at any accredited university or college with postgraduate courses and degrees in space sciences.
Amount: $20,000 to $50,000
Deadline: November 15
The American Association of University Women offers fellowships for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. To qualify, you must pursue full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the United States and intend to return to your home country for a professional career.
Amount: Varies; an average of around $23,530
Deadline: Varies
Forté Fellowships are awarded to female MBA students who exhibit exemplary leadership, represent diverse backgrounds, and demonstrate a commitment to advancing women in business. To apply, you must submit an MBA application to a participating school and receive an admissions offer.
Amount: Up to $10,000
Deadline: January 2025
Female scientists pursuing research careers can apply for the Graduate Women in Science fellowship. To qualify, you must currently work on hypothesis-driven research at an American or international institution.
You can use fellowship funds for supplies, equipment, publication of research, travel and food during field studies, and research collaboration.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 1
To qualify for the Mariam K. Chamberlain Dissertation Award, you must be a graduate student who identifies as a woman. You can qualify while pursuing a Ph.D. and preparing a dissertation that relates to advancing gender equity, social inclusion, and shared prosperity. The award is only given to a first-generation doctoral student.
Amount: $60,000
Deadline: February 16
L’Oréal’s postdoctoral research fellowship aims to support exceptional female scientists to advance their research and act as role models for girls in STEM. To qualify, you must have current research in a STEM field and commit to 20 hours of volunteer work supporting women in science. You cannot already have a faculty position.
Amount: Up to $12,000
Deadline: January 24
Wellesley College can help you find a range of fellowships. For example, the M.A. Cartland Shackford Medical Fellowship offers up to $12,000 to female students studying medicine with a view to general practice. Any woman graduate of a U.S. institution can qualify.
Grants for Women
Like scholarships, grants are academic funds awarded to students that needn’t be repaid. Most grant funds are awarded based on need, whereas scholarships often consider other factors, including academic or athletic merit.
Grants can be awarded by schools, foundations, companies, or the Department of Education, although federal funding — unlike scholarships or fellowships — can only be awarded to U.S. citizens. Grant funds can typically be used for all the same things as a scholarship and can be found at every academic level, from associate to doctoral options.
Discover popular grants for women below.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 1
The Women’s Leadership Grants from United Way are available to female students in their first year of college. To qualify, you must demonstrate how you’ve grown via community service experiences and servant leadership.
Amount: $4,000
Deadline: Varies
The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) provides need-based grants to women in the U.S. and Canada. Some grants are explicitly awarded to female college students whose education has been interrupted. The grants can be used to complete a degree or certificate program to advance your career.
Amount: Up to $15,000
Deadline: January 15
Margaret McNamara Education Grants aims to support the higher education of exceptional women from developing countries who are at least 25 years old and enrolled in undergraduate or graduate study. Past grantees have focused on diverse fields of study, from engineering and information technologies to health, science, education, social studies, and law.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: August 15
The Association for Women in Mathematics offers travel grants for women mathematicians to attend conferences, advance research activities, and increase visibility in the research community.
It also offers a Mentoring Travel Grant to support travel costs for more junior mathematicians to develop a long-term working and mentoring relationship with a senior mathematician.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: April 15
You can qualify for the National Black Nurses Association Grant if you’re a nursing student pursuing a BSN or higher. To qualify, you must have at least one year of education remaining. To qualify, you must participate in student nurse activities and be involved in the African American community.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 30
The U.S. National Science Foundation offers doctoral research grants to cover the costs of field, laboratory, and computational research. Possible research fields include human and nonhuman primate adaptation, human origins, and the dynamics between biology and culture.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 30
The Political Science Doctoral Dissertation Grants offered by the U.S. National Science Foundation support scientific research that advances knowledge and understanding of citizenship, government, and politics. Possible topics include established democracies, party activism, political psychologies, and domestic conflict.
Tips for Applying for Scholarships
Be you.
It’s easy to think about how many other people must be applying for the same scholarships and how interesting their lives must be. Think again. The best thing you can do is be authentic to yourself when you’re filling out your applications and preparing your scholarship essays. You have a unique voice and a unique story, and scholarship committees are looking for that authenticity. They want to know about you and your life, and you’re the best expert on that subject.
Highlight accomplishments.
It doesn’t matter what scholarship you’re applying for. As a woman, you bring unique experiences and perspectives to the table. If you’re applying for women-specific scholarships, be sure to highlight your accomplishments as a female and make a clear case for how they relate to the scholarship you are seeking.
Keep track of deadlines.
Even if you have the most impressive application of all the applicants, reading panels tend to be strict regarding receiving materials. Double-check deadlines and create a calendar with reminders to ensure you make the cut.
Personalize each application.
Filling out dozens of scholarship applications and writing essays is a laborious process. It can be tempting to use generic information and cut and paste large text sections from other applications, but resist the urge. Scholarship panels want to know you understand the mission of the organization offering the scholarship, and they want to see how well you can articulate that.
Other Financial Aid
It’s rare for scholarships, grants, or fellowships to cover the entire cost of a degree. Students can also access federal and state loans, work-study programs, and research or teaching assistantships. Combining these options can help reduce total educational costs or spread out payments. Here is an overview of loans, work study, and assistantships.
Federal and State Loans
The Department of Education provides a variety of federal loans that offer benefits, loans with significantly lower interest rates, repayment deferment, income-based repayment plans, and consolidation for multiple loans.
Consider loans an option to fill in the remainder of tuition, fees, and living expenses after qualifying for grants, scholarships, or work-study programs.
Work Study
With a work-study program, you can gain professional experience while defraying the cost of college. Federally funded work-study programs are available to graduate and undergraduate students, matching students with jobs within the community or at their schools. Many colleges also offer private work-study programs or fellowships to help cover tuition costs.
Speak with your college or university admissions advisor about work-study programs, or check the government website for a comprehensive list of opportunities.
Research and Teaching Assistantships
Research and teaching assistantships offer graduate students an additional funding source while providing valuable experience and resume-building. Assistantships may cover full or partial tuition and fees or provide an annual stipend or hourly pay.
Requirements vary by college and program; for example, you may need to work a certain number of hours or meet minimum GPA requirements.
Q&A With an Expert
Based in Orange County, California, Weston Mathews is an independent educational consultant who’s been serving families nationwide since 2013. During his education and professional career, he has always believed that higher education should promote personal growth and upward social mobility.
He often finds that students and parents are fraught with anxiety over the prospect of not getting into a university, or they’re concerned that they simply cannot afford higher education. To him, the difference between “getting in” and “finding a fit” is paramount, and he asserts that financial aid options exist for students of all income levels and fields of study.
Q: What financial aid programs are available specifically to women, and how can they take advantage of them?
A: “Financial aid” is a nebulous term that can encompass any combination of grants, scholarships, and loans. Grants and loans are awarded primarily by federal and state programs, whereas scholarships can come from a variety of sources. All of these forms of aid can also be categorized into “need-based” and “merit-based” aid. Scholarships can come from a number of sources. These usually include non-profit foundations, specific corporations who wish to diversify their workforce, and the universities themselves.
Q: How do options vary for undergraduate vs. graduate female students?
A: It’s much easier to find scholarships for undergraduate programs in STEM due to the immediate application of a bachelor’s degree vs. a graduate degree. In most STEM careers, the bachelor’s degree is the minimum standard required to enter the workforce, so in order to transition a student into the workplace in the quickest way possible, it makes most sense for the above institutions to prioritize undergraduate scholarships over graduate scholarships.
Q: Do you have specific advice for women considering careers in STEM? What about traditional subjects where specialized financial aid isn’t as readily available?
A: The best advice I can offer to a female student is to enter a STEM field. The demand for the skills and input that a woman can provide is desperately needed and in high demand. However, the demographics of students entering these fields is still predominantly male. For women pursuing an education outside of STEM, the sources mentioned before and after this question can definitely still be utilized based on income level and their field of study.
Q: When should women begin their financial aid research, and what advice do you have for them as they start their search?
A: Students should begin exploring their interests and major options as early as sophomore year so that they can create a winning academic portfolio for admissions. Parents should begin saving as much and as early as possible to prevent their children from being forced to take out unnecessary student loans. They should also determine a budget for higher education early and remain firmly grounded in reality as they explain to their children what their options may be.
FAQ About Scholarships for Women
How can I afford to go back to school as a single mom?
There are many scholarships for moms, women in specific fields, or single parents to make returning to school less expensive. You can also consider online courses, community college courses, or transfer credits to decrease total costs.
Once you’ve selected a degree or program, consider combining low-cost transfer credits with scholarships, grants, fellowships or assistantships, and student loans to reduce the financial burden of getting a degree.
Which women’s sport gets the most scholarships?
Specifics vary depending on a school’s NCAA division, but women’s sports that offer the most scholarships typically include volleyball, rowing, gymnastics, bowling, field hockey, lacrosse, and wrestling.
What is the hardest sport for women to get a scholarship in?
The hardest sport for women to get a scholarship depends on your aptitude for the sport, and the total competition for available scholarships. For example, some believe volleyball is one of the most challenging sports to get a scholarship because of the popularity and competitiveness of programs.
