Scholarships for Women Over 40
Many women over 40 want to start a new career or fulfill their educational goals. Often women spend decades of their lives dedicated to raising children, keeping a home comfortable and even working outside the house. As a result, their dreams of completing college are put on back burner. Scholarships for women over 40 make it possible to return to school without taking out huge loans. It is free money to help women get back to their professional desires. Once their children are older, women have a golden opportunity to finally take care of themselves and build a future based on their personal goals.
EFWA’s Women in Transition (WIT) and Women in Need (WIN) Scholarships
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
This scholarship is designed for women who have a family to support and are enrolling as freshmen to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Awarded up to $16,000 over four years. Check the Website for detail and apply HERE.
Award: Up to $16,000/4 Yr.
Deadline: April 30th
GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
Check the Website for detail and apply HERE.
Award: $1,000 – 2,500
Deadline: April 30th
POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
Check the Website for detail and apply HERE.
Award: $1,000 – 5,000
Deadline: May 15, 2024
The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting awards scholarships
If you are a woman wishing to pursue an accounting degree at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, please take a look at these scholarships. You may apply for more than one scholarship, except for transition women and women in need. Please visit the EFWA website and review the criteria for each scholarship to determine eligibility.
Awards: eleven scholarships, for a combined total of $21, 500
Deadlines: April 30 each year. *postgraduate scholarship – May 15th.
SWE Scholarships Support Women Pursuing Bachelor or Graduate Student Programs
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 2022, SWE awarded 330 new and renewed scholarships worth over $1,700,000! One completed application will be considered for all eligible scholarships.
Please visit the website and review the criteria for each scholarship to determine eligibility.
Deadlines:
Freshmen: March 20, 2024
Sophomores through Graduate Students: February 1, 2024
The India application: February 15, 2024
Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Mid-Life Women
Residents or those attending school in the Greater Los Angeles who are 35 or older may qualify for the Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Mid-Life Women. The scholarship is for those in Orange and Venture Counties. It is sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women – in Los Angeles. Applicants can be from freshmen to seniors, single or married, with or without dependent children. The award is up to $1,000. Applicants must submit essays about their goals and how they intend to achieve them as well as show financial need. To learn more call (323)852-8500 or email Brandee at ncjwla.org.
Award: up to $1,000
Deadline: Spring Cycle applications open in March 2024.
Jeanette Rankin Foundation
The Rankin Foundation offers these scholarships each year and their application process kicks off on November 1st. Over 500 awards have been given since 1978, when the program began, with the intention of helping low-income women over 35 – sadly a group where African American women often find themselves – to return to school to make a better life for themselves and their families.
If you would like more information and to see if you would qualify for one of these scholarships, visit the website at http://www.rankinfoundation.org/
Award: 8,000
Application period status: Applications are currently closed. Open November 2022 for the 2023-2024 Grant Cycle.
Application and recommendation letter deadline: February 17, 2024
Osher Re-entry Scholarships
Are you between the ages of 25 to 50 with a gap of 5 or more years in your education? You could qualify for the Osher Re-entry Scholarships sponsored by the Bernard Osher Foundation. Candidates must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at a university that receives the Osher grant funds. They must show financial need and be committed to completing a degree with good academic records. The award solely covers tuition fees. Visit Here!
List of Osher Scholar and Fellow Programs
Award: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Brookhaven Women in Science Renate W. Chasman Scholarship
Are you over 40 and looking to return to college? Consider the Brookhaven Women in Science (BWIS) Renate W. Chasman Scholarship in the award amount of $2,500. Candidates must be women who are returning to scholarship that are a citizen or permanent residents of the United States. They must also be at least an undergraduate junior and a resident of Long Island, NY pursuing a degree in natural sciences, engineering, or mathematics.
For additional details, visit http://www.bnl.gov/ or write to Chasman Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 183, Upton, NY 11973.
Award: $2,500
Deadline: March 15, 2024
Alpha Sigma Lambda (ASL) Scholarship for Adult Students
The Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society provides scholarships for adult students continuing their higher education.
Funds will be disbursed to students and beneficiaries to students and colleges/universities. (*need-based scholarship)
Check out the website for more details!
Award: six (6) $3000 and fifteen (15) $2500 scholarships
Deadline:April 28, 2024
P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE)
The Program for Continuing Education was established in 1973 to provide need-based subsidies to women who must return to school to support their families.
P.E.O. The Continuing Education Program (PCE) provides a one-time, need-based grant to women who are citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States or Canada to use to complete a degree or certification required to enhance or acquire skills leading to employment .
Check out the website for more details!
Award:$3,000
Women’s Independence Scholarship Program
The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP) was created to help women who are direct survivors of intimate partner abuse overcome educational barriers to employment and financial security.
It is aimed at women in dire financial straits and, through education and support, helps single mothers with young children who are most economically challenged (such as child care) to gain the job skills to support their families.
Visit the WISP website to check details and apply. If you have any questions, please call the office at 910.397.7742.
The AAUW Career Development Grants Program
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.
Rewards of $2,000 to $12,000 are used to cover tuition, supplies, books, fees, local transportation, and child care. The deadline is December 15.
To find out more, Visit: https://www.aauw.org/
Funding: $2,000–$20,000
Opens: August 1 every year
Deadline: November 15 every year
Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation for Low-Income Women and Children
Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink was committed to educational opportunities being made available to low-income women and focused predominantly on mothers. The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation was started in 2003 and is also dedicated to enrichment for kids. Mink was the first female of color to be part of the United States House of Representatives and was dedicated to civil rights. Women with children who are pursuing training or education may qualify for awards up to $5,000. Many women have received the boost they need thanks to the Mink Education Foundation. The deadline is August 1st. To learn more, visit patsyminkfoundation.org.
Awards: up to $5,000 (Low-income women with children who are pursuing education or training.)
Deadline: August 1, 2024
Go go! Grant – The Girlfriend Factor
Go go! Grant is an organization that provides educational grants and emotional support to women so that they can live better lives through higher education.
From 2006 to 15 years, the organization has provided $700,000 in grants to more than 180 women in Coachella Valley, California.
Applicants must be at least 25 years old, demonstrate financial need and have a passion for the educational path that will lead to a career.
Please visit the website for more details.
Awards: 180 local women with over $700,000 in grants
Deadline: December 15th and June 15th
Soroptimist Live Your Dreams Award
The Soroptimist Live Your Dreams Award is a unique educational award given to women who provide financial support for their families. The Live Your Dreams Award provides women with the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and career prospects.
Check out the website for more details!
Award: $1,000 – $16,000
Deadline: November 15 Every Year
Royal Neighbors Scholarship Program
The Royal Neighbors of America Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to women who plan to pursue higher education, earning a trade or vocational degree, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree. We provide benefits to members who are insured or have a pension from Royal Neighbors. Check out the website for more details. You can call (800) 627-4762.
Deadline: February 1
Charlotte W. Newcomb Foundation Scholarships for mature female students
The Newcombe Scholarship awards scholarships to middle-aged women over the age of 25 who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
The foundation and several universities collaborate to provide scholarships.
Individuals cannot apply directly. Applications can be made through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Federal Pell Grant
Returning and older students often overlook the fact they can always try to qualify for federal grants such as the Pell Grant. There are no limitations with regard to age. You are not eligible to receive a Pell Grant if you are incarcerated in a state or federal penal institution or subject to a civil commitment after completing incarceration for a nonforcible or forcible sexual offense. Any other undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree might be able to get funds. Some students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program may also qualify for the Pell Grant.
The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2023–24 award year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024) based on the cost of attendance, financial need, and status as a part-time or full-time student as well as whether you plan to go to school for a full academic year. As of July 1, 2012, recipients can receive the Pell Grant for no more than 12 semesters. The grant might be paid to the school, you directly or a combination of both. Students must complete a FAFSA (Application for Federal Student Aid) to qualify. To learn more, visit www.ed.gov/programs/fpg/.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Another federal grant program women over 40 might qualify for is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). These grants are based on need rather than imposing an age limit to help low-income undergraduate students cover the costs of higher education. Over 3,800 postsecondary educational institutions participate in the grant program. The institution is required to give priority to students who show exceptional need, such as the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFCs) in the school. Recipients are also those who receive the Federal Pell Grant. The institution applies annuals for FSEOG allocation by submitting a FISAP (Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate) to the United States Department of Education. A formula is used to allocate funds and the institutions contribute 25 percent of the award amounts. Students are required to file a FAFSA at studentaid.gov.
Teacher Education Grants
Women over 40 who want to be a teacher might also be eligible for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant. Requirements include completion of the TEACH Grant initial and subsequent counseling as well as a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS). This makes it possible to get one or more grants to cover the cost of higher education. The TEACH Grant is specifically for the student who intend to complete a course to start a career in teaching and agree to teach for a period of a minimum of four years. They must be a highly qualified teacher in a high-need field that teachers at an educational service agency or school servicing low-income students. Teaching requirements must be fulfilled within eight years after completing the program. To apply, students must have a Federal Student Aid PIN. To find out more, visit https://studentaid.gov/teach-grant-program.
LEAP Grants
Another program older students often do not know about are LEAP grants. These need-based grants are an excellent way to cover the costs of higher education and gain valuable work experience. Grants are provided by the Federal government to states to help them administer these grants for community service and work-study assistance to eligible postsecondary students. A single state agency administers the program and must meet a certain criteria. To find out more, visit https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/programs/leapgrants.html or do a simple online search to see what opportunities might exist in your local area.
Work Study Grants
There are a variety of work study grants available to students of all ages. Just ask the college you attend or want to apply to about their work study grant programs. Each institution has a different policy and criteria. It can certainly pay to inquire about these opportunities. There is also the Federal Work Study (FWS) Program that funds part-time employment to help needy students pay for postsecondary studies. There are over 3,400 participating educational institutions. The hourly wages cannot be less than federal minimum wage and offer great opportunities to get back to work for those who have not been employed for years. Employment is offered at the institution itself; a local, state or federal agency; a private for-profit organization; or a private nonprofit organization. Students must file a FAFSA to qualify for this unique program. To get additional details, go to ed.gov/programs/fws/index.html.
Tuition Assistance Programs
Many women over 40 continued to work while they were raising their children or living their lives. Now they are ready to pursue higher education. A wide variety of employers offer all types of tuition assistance programs. Usually these programs are administered by the Human Resources department of a company. IRS regulations permit companies to pay up to $5,250 to each employee annually, tax-free. Find out how the program works. Some employers pay upfront while others offer tuition reimbursement. This means you pay then they reimburse you for college costs. Many companies have GPA requirements to qualify for tuition assistance or reimbursement. Others have major requirements based on their needs and your career goals. There are also companies that may stipulate you remain with them for a certain period of time because they helped fund your education. Always do your research to know exactly what is available to you. No matter what your current position is, you could be pleasantly surprised to find out the opportunities available at the company you currently work for. It could also save you thousands of dollars as you complete your educational goals.
Women over 40 might feel hesitant about returning to school because they think their opportunities are limited. People are remaining in the workforce much longer today than they did twenty years ago. In a fast-moving world, new careers and educational chances are constantly becoming available. There are also plenty of grants and scholarships for women over 40 to take advantage of. It might take some effort, but you can have a great portion of your education paid for so you can move into a career that fulfills your personal goals and financial needs.
Many state that life begins after 40 and it is true. Now that your family is almost raised or your other issues are in the past, it is time to build a bright new future for yourself. Do the essential research to find out what scholarships and grants you qualify for. Take it slow and easy as you complete the mountains of paperwork. Keep your eye on the ultimate goal and realize this is terrific practice for returning to school. Maintain records of all your submissions so you can follow up on them and find out the status so that no time is wasted as you try to get back to school.
