There are a myriad of education grants for women. Grants are available at the local, state, and national levels. Education grants can be used for tuition assistance, books, or cost of living depending on the specific grant opportunity.
National resources usually get allocated to states for distribution. However, there are grants available from specific sources such as the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation (NSF). These grants for women typically fund doctorate-level education and research for dissertation completion. The NSF grants may require the applicant to be associated with a university or college as an instructor or researcher to be eligible for the education grant.
States offer additional women education grants. Depending on the state, women can apply directly to the state for the education grant. Or, the grants are allocated to accredited colleges and universities that meet criteria to administer the grant funds. In this situation, women can apply directly to their college or university for education grants. This is frequently done through the school’s office that manages financial aid although some academic programs may also administer grants for women.
Education grants for women can also be offered through community organizations such as auxiliaries and civic groups. Nonprofit organizations that focus on women’s issues are another potential source of education grants for women. They may offer small grants to help women go back to school or to pursue a particular field of study.
Foundations are another resource that offers women education grants. Donors who setup education grants and scholarship funds through foundations can establish gender as a criterion for eligibility. Women education grants are available for women of all ages and backgrounds. Some are for single women with children; others are for young women just graduating from high school.
Education grants can target women for the purpose of recruiting them into a predominantly male profession such as engineering or science. Grants can also be used as an incentive for women to receive an education in high-demand fields such as healthcare. It is not uncommon for these types of education grants for women to cover the majority of tuition costs as well as offer a cost of living stipend. It is likely women who receive these education grants will be required to work in a specific location upon graduation as a condition of the grant.
There are several ways to local women education grants. You can contact your state’s Board of Regents for a listing of available grants. Colleges and universities often post grants and other financial aid resources for students. And you can contact your local foundations directly to learn about education grant opportunities for women.