The Best Scholarships for Women
All across the United States, college and university students are accumulating student debt rapidly. As the completion of higher education has shifted from a competitive advantage to a mandatory requirement for quality jobs, enrollment in postsecondary education has skyrocketed. In 1965, to address the needs of lower-income families in search of higher learning, Lyndon Johnson introduced the Higher Education Act of 1965 . The increased funding for colleges and universities allowed the institutions to provide financial assistance for students in need. By the late 1990s, however, student loans had become a largely privatized industry. Today, student debt is a $140 billion-a-year industry and 42 million Americans now bear a combined student debt of $1.3 trillion dollars. To make matters worse, proposed cuts to both student aid and public service loan forgiveness programs are on the horizon, meaning things could get worse before they get better.
Often overlooked in this data is that female students, a group that makes up 57% of bachelor's degree recipients and 60% of master's degree recipients, carry a far greater share of the national student debt than they should. According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), women own nearly two-thirds of all student debt in the United States, approximately $800 million . As the number of women awarded degrees continues to rise, this uneven distribution of student debt is projected to increase. Not only are female students being saddled with more debt than males, they are also facing more obstacles to paying it back. While 90% of male graduates with at least a bachelor's degree find work, only 83% of women do. Furthermore, women in the group that do find work are confronted with a gendered wage gap that provides them with less disposable income and less means to pay back their student debt. Additionally, many graduates with a large outstanding student debt are unable to start families, buy a car, and/or qualify for a mortgage , so the consequences are much more dire than just a decrease in disposable income.
With student debt playing such a large role in the lives of so many American women, financial aid for women is more important now than ever before. According to the U.S. Department of Education, $46 billion in scholarships and grants are awarded each year. To make the process of finding financial aid for women and the best available scholarships easier, we've compiled the very best of the scholarships for women. Through public funding, private donors, special programs, and organizational sponsorships, colleges and universities are able to provide more and more financial aid for women each year. These scholarships for women not only minimize the burden of debt, but they also provide recipients with job-winning accolades and peace of mind.
Scholarships for Women
The following scholarships are only available to women. While some financial aid for women may have restrictions and special requirements, this grouping is the most widely available category of scholarships for women. Each of the following college scholarships for women requires the applicant to be enrolled in a university or college program.
STEM and Industry-Specific Scholarships
While women make up half of the college-educated workforce, the disparity between men and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions and upper management positions in business is considerable, with women making up only 29% of the STEM field and only about 24% of the senior positions globally are held by women . To encourage more women to pursue positions in male-majority industries, many scholarships for women are made industry-specific. Here are some of the best available college scholarships for women.
STEM Scholarships for Women
Business/Finance Scholarships for Women
Teaching Scholarships for Women
Nursing Scholarships for Women
Scholarships for Special Groups
In recent years, women have overtaken men as the majority of minority students in undergraduate degree programs, largely because of scholarships for African-American women and scholarships for Hispanic women like the specialized awards listed here. Many other scholarships cater directly to specific groups that are underrepresented or unsupported in the university or professional ranks. From minority women, female veterans, single mothers, women over 40, high school seniors, and female graduate-degree seekers, the following scholarships for women are the best of those designed for specialized groups.
Scholarships for Minority Women
Scholarships for Female Veterans
Scholarships for Single Mothers
Scholarships for Women over 40
Scholarships for Female High School Seniors
Scholarships for Female Graduate Students
Financial Aid Application Checklist
Prepare all scholarship materials in advance: Before doing anything, ensure you have all the required materials for financial aid applications. This includes completed tax returns, school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and any other documents you have, such as certificates, diplomas, and/or degrees.
Apply for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID: For some U.S. Department of Education websites, applicants need to have a working Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID . This ID confirms the applicant's identification and acts as an electronic signature on federal student aid documents. Dependant students will need their parents to have a FSAID as well.
Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Federal Student Aid is part of the U.S. Department of Education and is the nation's largest provider of financial aid for students. Between October 1 and June 30, more than 13 million students apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Applying to FAFSA is not just important for federal financial aid. Many scholarships and grants, at the federal, state, and institution levels, require students to have completed a FAFSA application . Even if you believe you will not be eligible, everyone should still apply. After the application is complete, check back to review and edit (if necessary) the Student Aid Report (SAR).
Complete a CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE: After completing the FAFSA application for federal aid, complete a CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE to qualify for a variety of other aid opportunities. PROFILE is a single application that applies for private, non-federal financial aid from almost 400 colleges, universities, and scholarship programs across the country. This application requires more financial information than FAFSA, including asset valuations and detailed banking information. Set aside 45 minutes to two hours for completion.
Apply for individual scholarships: In addition to the collection of college scholarships for women that we've listed here, there are plenty of websites that list available scholarships. Most colleges and universities also provide lists of external scholarships from various providers. Perform searches for scholarships that cover your specific field of study, prospective profession, race, sex, and place of residence. Check in with professional associations related to your field of choice to see if they offer any scholarships as well. While the application process can be daunting on many scholarships, it's incredibly worthwhile to apply. Even if your qualifications don't measure up exactly to the eligibility specifications, take the time to apply to as many scholarships as possible.
Apply for a financial aid package at your institution of choice: Nearly every institution has its own financial aid available for students in need. Check with the school of your choice and apply for financial aid through the school directly. Some simply draw from FAFSA, whereas other schools provide institution-specific financial aid packages.
Apply for loans from financial institutions: Once all these steps are completed, it's time to apply for student loans from financial institutions. Many banks offer low interest loans for students with flexible repayment plans. Do your research and ensure you understand the interest and payment policies before committing to anything.
Additional Resources
The resources below cover everything from the top professional associations for women in university and/or college to female support groups and industry-specific organizations. Whether it's to identify available college scholarships for women, find information on financial aid, pursue professional networking opportunities, or just receive advice, these resources cover it. Some are specific to an industry or program of study, whereas others cover a range of topics relating to higher learning for women.
The American Association of University Women The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has been promoting education and equity for women in the United States since 1881.
American Business Women's Association The American Business Women's Association supports business women, providing them with industry support, as well as networking, educational, and professional development opportunities.
American Medical Women's Association The American Medical Women's Association is dedicated to advancing the position of women in the field of medicine and improving women's health.
P.E.O. Sisterhood The P.E.O. Sisterhood is a network committed to promoting educational opportunities for women, providing funding and special projects for those in need.
American Association for Women in Community College American Association for Women in Community College is an organization striving to provide women with better educational and employment opportunities in community, junior, and technical colleges nationwide.
The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education (NCWGE) The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education (NCWGE) is an organization dedicated to fighting for the rights of women in and for education.
National Association of University Women The National Association of University Women serves women from around the world, addressing and advancing women's rights and educational opportunities.
Ms. Magazine Ms. Magazine is a liberal feminist magazine written for women and by women, committed to discussing and progressing women's issues.
Institute for Women's Policy Research The Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) is a group dedicated to shaping state and federal policy regarding women through research and public education.
Her Campus Started as a Harvard business plan competition, Her Campus is an organization that delivers marketing services to brands that seek the college market. Her Campus is dedicated to empowering women through employment and the marketing it provides.
Association for Women in Science The Association for Women in Science is a network that promotes women professionals and leaders in the STEM professions through advocacy and various initiatives.
Advancing Women Advancing Women is an organization that helps promote, recruit, and place more women in underrepresented areas of the workforce, such as in engineering, construction industries, medical fields, and the government.
National Association of Women MBAs The National Association of Women MBAs is an organization committed to advancing women into leadership positions in the business world through education, networking, and professional development.
National Women's Studies Association Through teaching, research, and various campaigns, the National Women's Studies Association is dedicated to supporting, promoting, and producing knowledge about women.
Women's College Coalition The Women's College Coalition seeks to promote women's colleges, programs, and research to bring women's issues to the forefront.