General Scholarships and Grants for Women
Just as there are many scholarships designated for certain categories of students, there are also scholarships that really don’t fit into any particular niche. That’s what this section is all about. You are going to find scholarships here that require not so great to really great grades. There are ones for students who live in a particular state, or those for students of a certain age. You’ll find a couple for great cooks, and even one for an artist who shows great promise for the future. Whichever kind of funding you are searching for – this is the place to start. Remember to apply, apply, and then apply again! The secret is persistence. Good luck!
Note: Should you need proof of financial need, go to studentaid.gov/fafsa-app and fill out the free application online. Upon completion you will receive your SAR score which you may submit as proof of your financial situation on any application that requires it.
American Association of University Women (AAUW) – Selected Professional Fellowships
These awards are directed toward full-time, female students, who are pursuing degrees in fields where women are under-represented. Examples of such fields would include engineering, math, architecture, some areas of computer science, and many areas of scientific study. You can find more information at www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/selected-professions-fellowships/.
Awards: $20,000
Opens: August 1 every year
Deadline: December 1 every year
If you have any questions please e-mail [email protected]
Society of Physics Students
The SPS offers scholarships to female students in several categories, including a number of them for high school seniors in the amount of $2,000. One of the most recent additions to their catalogue of awards is the Kirsten R. Lorentzen Award for female student in her sophomore or junior year of study.
Awards: $2,000
Deadline: March 15
Society of Physics Students
1 Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 209-3007
Society of Women Engineers including the Brill Family Scholarship
The SWE Society Scholarship Program offers multiple scholarship opportunities each year to women admitted to ABET-accredited bachelor or postgraduate students, to prepare them for careers in engineering, engineering technology and computer science. In 2021, SWE awarded 290 new and renewed scholarships worth over $1,220,000! One completed application will be considered for all eligible scholarships.
Deadlines:
Freshmen: March 1, 2024 – May 2, 2024
Sophomores through Graduate Students: December 1,2023 – February 15, 2024
The Brill Family Scholarship is just one example of the awards available and it is given each year in the amount of $2000 per year to Sophomore, Junior, and Senior. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required on a 4.0 system. To find complete information regarding awards go to societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/scholarships and click on your class status for individual scholarships and their requirements.
CIA Scholarships and Financial Aid
Even if you have always been an outstanding student, you may have never thought about a merit-based scholarship for a culinary school. Well, the CIA is looking for students who have a track record of high academic achievement, as well as proven leadership abilities. Grade point requirement is a minimum of 3.2. ACT and SAT scores are also considered, requiring a Math score of at least 550 or better, and the same in Reading. If applicable, ACT score must be a 20 or better. There are several additional categories of scholarships for women available under this heading including one for culinary writing. For complete information, go the ciachef.edu/scholarships-by-campus/.
Scholarship opportunities vary depending on campus and program. Please select the appropriate campus to learn more about the scholarships available for your program of interest. There is also a link available for the many outside sources for funding available to CIA students.
Culinary Scholarships – American Academy of Chefs
If you have always been a stellar cook, and have decided to take it to the next level and become a professional, there is money out there to help you. Click on this link – http://www.acfchefs.org/ACF/Education/Scholarships/ACF/Education/Scholarships/ — to find all the information about the American Academy of Chefs annual Scholarship Program. These scholarships may be applied for by high school students, college students, and professional chefs who require more training. You can find additional details and an application on the website. Applications must be submitted with all supporting documentation by the deadline listed on the application. Only complete applications will be considered by the AAC Scholarship Committee.
Apprenticeship programs up to $1,500; Certification programs up to $1,500; Post-secondary degree programs award up to $2,500
ACFEF Scholarships
Phone: (800) 624-9458, ext. 254
e-mail: [email protected].
Application deadlines vary so check for your classification on the website.
Delta Gamma Foundation
Applicants must present an unofficial transcript showing a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) to be eligible for this opportunity Need for financial aid must be substantiated to qualify. Applicants must be current undergraduate freshmen at Delta Gamma Fraternity.
To apply, you must have completed the first year of coursework (sophomore, junior or senior status).
And you must demonstrate financial need and student loan debt. Also applicants must accept need-based financial aid from the university.
There should also be a record of previous community service. The specified field of study is science. This award may be used for undergraduate or post-graduate study. The application deadline is March 1 each year (April 01 2024 for Need-based). Full details can be found at the website: https://www.deltagamma.org/foundation/applications AWARD AMOUNT:$2,500
For more information on Delta Gamma Foundation scholarships, please contact Director of Scholarships and Fellowships at [email protected]. Please do not contact the Director of Scholarships and Fellowships inquiring about the status of your application or supporting materials. You will be notified by the Scholarship Committee once your online application has been submitted.
Dr. Nancy Foster
2024 Dr. The application period for the Nancy Foster Scholarship Program has begun. The deadline is December 22, 2022.
This graduate school scholarship is presented to a student – preferably female – who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship and graduate level research in the fields of marine biology, oceanography, or maritime archaeology. Minimum GPA to be considered for this award is 3.3. Instruction for how to apply may be found on the website. Applications must be received through http://grants.gov. Further information about the scholarship and NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries research priorities can be found at the web sites: http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/science/assessment, http://fosterscholars.noaa.gov, respectively. Information in hard copy may be requested from:
Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
Attn: Seaberry Nachbar
99 Pacific Street
Monterey, CA 93940
Information contact(s): Send requests for information via e-mail to [email protected]
Girl Scouts of America
If you have ever been a girl scout, no matter what state you reside in, you may be eligible for one of the many, many scholarships offered by the Girl Scouts of America. Some require reaching a certain level within scouting. Some are school or state specific. If you think you fit into this category, simply go to the website http://www.girlscouts.org/en/our-program/scholarships.html for an example of what they have to offer, or Google Scholarships, Girl Scouts of America for the many opportunities they offer. You will be amazed by the extensive list of scholarships available.
Glamour’s Top 10 College Women Competition
Each year this prestigious magazine awards one grand prize of $20,000 and nine $3,000 prizes to junior college women who have proven themselves both academically and in leadership roles. Along with the award each recipient is recognized in the magazine, is given an expense-paid trip to New York City where the awards are presented and the opportunity to network with professional women currently working at the publication. Deadline for applications is September 15. For more information visit Glamour website at http://www.glamour.com/about/top-10-college-women and download an application form.
The Horizons Scholarship for Women in Defense
If you’ve ever thought about a career related to national security or the defense interests of the United States, there is no better time than now. This scholarship was created in 1988 to encourage young women to enter the field, and to provide resources for their education. The amounts of the awards vary each year. The selection board emphasizes that this is not intended for those majoring in law enforcement or criminal justice, and encourage the study of professions related to science, technology, education, and math. Application and eligibility requirements are specific, including suggestions for other current areas of study. The deadline is March 27. For complete details, visit the website at: https://www.womenindefense.net/widscholar/apply-for-scholarship
Masonic scholarships
These scholarships are given to women under the age of 21 who both live and attend school in California. Eligibility is dependent on financial need, academic record, goals, and recommendation letters. Application deadlines vary. If you are interested in applying for one of these scholarships, visit freemason.org/scholarships/ for complete details or contact the foundation at
California Mason Foundation
1111 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
Telephone: (415)776-7000
[email protected]
Baker Hughes
Eligibility for this scholarship is open to female students in their sophomore, junior, or senior years, or in graduate school, who are majoring in the engineering sciences. Underrepresented groups are preferred. This fund is overseen by the Society of Women Engineers and membership in that organization is required. Three awards are given of $5,000 each. Deadline is May 15th for the Freshmen application. For more information, go to their website at http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/index.php/scholarships.
Jewish Foundation — Education of Women
Each year this organization awards scholarships to Jewish women of any age, and enrolled in any year in college, living in New York City. There is no minimum GPA specified, and awards are given in a broad range of major studies. You may get more information by calling Jewish Foundation for Education of Women at (212) 288-3931 or going to their website at www.jfew.org.
Grant Amount: $150,000
Deadline for Project Information Form: November 10, 2023
Deadline for Full Proposals: February 2024
Jane M. Klausman Women in Business
If you are majoring in business and have shown an outstanding talent for the field, you’re what Zonta International is seeking in a scholarship recipient. They award over $100,000 each year to undergraduate women just like you. You can find more details about this award at their website. https://www.zonta.org/Web/Programs/Education/Women_in_Business_Scholarship. Deadline is generally in April or May of each year.
Microsoft Research Graduate Women
This is a one year scholarship awarded to outstanding women graduate students to encourage pursuit of a PhD. If you are interested in applying you must do so during your first year of graduate school as it is intended to lend support during the second year of the program. Deadline is generally in September or October of each year. For complete details about this and other opportunities visit the website at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/academic-programs/
AAUW Career Development Grants
Career Development Grants provide funding to women who have a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change their careers or re-enter the workforce in education. health and medicine; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); or social science. Preference is given to women of color and women seeking their first advanced degree or credential in a non-traditional field.
Visit : https://www.aauw.org/
Funding: $2,000–$20,000
Opens: August 1 every year
Deadline: November 15 every year
National Society of Black Engineers
This association, established in 1975, is dedicated to educating black women specifically in the field of engineering and science. They provide numerous scholarships each year to qualified students majoring in these areas. For a complete list of the scholarships they sponsor along with application and deadline information, visit their Scholarship Vault at http://www.nsbe.org/Programs/Scholarships.aspx.
NAWIC Founders’ Scholarship Foundation
The National Association of Women in Construction Founders’ Scholarship Foundation (NFSF) is a self-supporting scholarship program. It was established to assist in providing the construction industry with trained employees through higher education. The Foundation is supported and maintained through income from investments of a trust fund. Income is also obtained through voluntary contributions. Candidates must apply directly to the NAWIC Founders’ Scholarship Foundation. Candidates are considered based on their interest in construction, grades, extracurricular activities, employment experience and financial need.
Applicant must have a current cumulative GPA or 3.0 or higher to be considered for awards.
Grant Amount:$500 to $2,500
Deadline: February 28th of each year.
For detailed information visit our website at http://www.nawic.org/nawic/nfsf.asp.
Alice T. Schafer Mathematics Prize — Association for Women in Mathematics
This scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate woman who has consistently demonstrated excellence in mathematics. Application is by nomination and all members of the mathematics community are encouraged to submit nominations for this prestigious award. Nomination deadline is October 1st. To qualify the nominee must be a U.S. citizen or attend school in the U.S. To find out more about this prize and the nomination process: https://awm-math.org/awards/schafer-prize-for-undergraduates/.
Karla Scherer Foundation
You may qualify for this award if you would like a career in the private manufacturing-based sector, and are a graduate female student at any accredited university or college majoring in finance/economics. The amount of this scholarship varies each year. For more information, write the Karla Scherer Foundation, 1010 East 59th Street Room# 114, Chicago, IL 60611. (open M/W/F, appointment required) Include in your letter what school you will attend, courses you will take, and how this education will further your chosen career. Be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. If you would like more details prior to writing, call 773-834-1835.
The Women at Microsoft (WAM)
This scholarship is for High School Senior women who are graduating from high school planning to attend an accredited 2-4 year public or private college or university or technical college in the United States. For those studying STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) disciplines.
You must have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Award is up to $5,000. For more information, go to the website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/programs/women-at-microsoft-scholarship.
This is only one of many opportunities listed on this site.
Women in Aviation International
If you’ve dreamt of ‘flying off into the wild blue yonder’ as your chosen career path, you may find financial support from Women in Aviation, International. This organization is full of dreamers, just like you, and over the last twenty years they have awarded millions of dollars and helped students attain their aviation or aerospace career goals. You must be a licensed pilot, a woman, and a member of WAI to apply for one of these scholarships. Scholarship deadline: November 16th. https://www.wai.org/education/scholarships.
Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
This organization funds scholarships each year in four categories: for Lutheran Laywomen, for Administrative Leadership, for Ordained Ministry, and ELCA College and Seminary Leadership. The awards available category designated for Lutheran Laywomen are designated to provide assistance to those studying for a career other than in the ordained ministry. Specific scholarships include:
- Amelia Kemp Scholarships for ELCA women of color in undergraduate, graduate, professional or vocational courses of study
- Belmer/Flora Prince and Kahler, Vickers/Raup, Wettstein Scholarships for ELCA women studying for ELCA service abroad, either in general or in health professions associated with ELCA projects abroad
- Drinkall Franke/Seeley Knudstrup Scholarships for ELCA women in graduate courses of study preparing for occupations in Christian service
- Cronk Memorial, First Triennium Board, General, Mehring, Paepke, Piero/Wade/Wade, Edwin/Edna Robeck Scholarships for ELCA women in undergraduate, graduate, professional, or vocational courses of study
Complete application information may be found on line at the ELCA scholarship website http://www.womenoftheelca.org/scholarships-pages-57.php.
State Nursing Association
Every state has a nursing association, and all of them offer scholarships. To find yours, get online and Google your state’s organization. In addition to scholarship and grant information, they will have lots of other useful information to guide you in your search.
State Teachers’ Associations
There are both national and state associations for teachers that offer scholarships. Go to your state’s site and see what they have to offer.
Blanche E. Colman Foundation
Female art students in the New England states may apply for the Blanch E. Colman Trust Scholarship. In addition, the Blanche E. Colman Foundation offers annual grants to New England Artist Women who have completed their formal education and have exhibited considerable talent in the area of painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, mixed media and photography. Students are not eligible to apply. Artists in film, performance art, video and crafts are not eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted beginning November 1st and the deadline is March 1st of each year. For more information regarding these scholarships for women write:
Blanche E. Colman Trust
Independent foundation
Po Box 185Pittsburgh, PA United States 152300185
Phone: 617-722-7626
Grants for Women
Most applications for grants in this category will require that you complete the FAFSA application. To get you going, go to https://studentaid.gov/fafsa-app/ROLES. There you will find the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance to fill out. Upon completion you will receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) based upon the results of your application. You will need these results to apply for grants and scholarships based on financial need.
Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants are generally awarded only to undergraduate students. The amount of assistance you can receive depends on your financial needs and the cost of attending school. (However, in some cases, students enrolled in graduate teacher accreditation programs may be eligible for federal Pell Grants.)
Pell grants can award up to $6,895 in non-repayable college dollars. It can be used for tuition or, if already processed, for books, fees, or other expenses. First, decide where you want to go to school and see if they accept Pell Grants. Then fill out the FAFSA application mentioned above and send the results to the school where you applied. That’s all. Try it. You’ll never know unless you try!
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Again, to qualify for this grant you must first complete the FSFSA. These are awarded on the basis of who has the most substantial need for financial assistance, and are in the amount of $100 to $4,000. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/fseog.
School Grants
Due to the numbers of moms returning to school, many local colleges and universities are now offering grants to students attending their institutions. You will have to complete the FSFSA application on line to qualify. Inquire at your school’s Financial Aid Office.
State Grants
Individual states also offer specific grants to women, moms and single moms. Go to your state government education website and see what they have listed.
