Scholarships For Women

A college degree can open the door to better job opportunities, financial independence, and professional growth. For many people, including women navigating personal or financial challenges, the path to college can feel daunting. But with the right support, earning a degree is within reach.

Scholarships created specifically for women help make college more affordable and support your goals, whether you’re a nontraditional student, pursuing STEM fields, or currently working. Explore these scholarship opportunities to take the next step in your education.

In 2021, women accounted for 58% of all undergraduates or about 8.9 million students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). While enrollment fell by 13% from 2010 to 2021, it’s projected to grow 9% by 2031, reaching 9.7 million.

Women in the workforce are more educated than ever. In 2021, nearly 48% had a bachelor’s degree or higher, up from 11% in 1970, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

Women are more likely to attend college now than ever before. While the wage gap is still an issue in America, the number of women earning a college degree has outpaced men.

As the number of women attending college has increased, the funding available to women through scholarships has also increased. As more women enter the workforce in fields like STEM and business, women can take advantage of scholarships within those fields.

Who Should Apply: Women aged 35 and older pursuing a technical, vocational, associate, or bachelor’s degree at a nonprofit-accredited school. This is an excellent opportunity for women returning to school to pursue new careers or finish their education. U.S. citizenship is required.

Who Should Apply: High school senior girls who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership, and involvement in their communities. This scholarship supports future women leaders ready to make a positive impact through education.

Who Should Apply: Early-career women with a Ph.D. in physics who want to share their research at conferences and professional gatherings. The award includes $5,000 and travel expenses, helping women gain visibility and recognition in the field of physics.

Who Should Apply: Women and non-binary high school seniors pursuing an undergraduate degree in computer science, engineering, or another STEM field are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants should have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).

Who Should Apply: Female-identifying students pursuing careers in engineering, computer science, or engineering technology. Open to both undergraduate and graduate students, SWE supports women breaking into male-dominated tech fields.

Who Should Apply: Women enrolled in a graduate program and planning to teach a STEM subject such as math, computer science, or engineering at the K–12 level. Applicants must be U.S. citizens attending accredited U.S. institutions.

Who Should Apply: Women in college who plan to teach high school mathematics and are in their sophomore year or later with at least a 3.0 GPA. This scholarship is ideal for future female math educators.

Who Should Apply: Black women pursuing STEM degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Applicants are evaluated on academic performance and an essay.

Who Should Apply: Women with African American, Hispanic/Latina, or Native American heritage who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents studying chemistry. This scholarship helps diversify and empower women in STEM.

Who Should Apply: American Veterans provides scholarships for veterans and active-duty military personnel. Their spouses, children, and grandchildren may also qualify for funds. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and demonstrate financial need.

Who Should Apply: Women aged 17 and older with minor children pursuing education or training to improve their lives and communities. The scholarship committee selects recipients based on financial need, vocational goals, and activist goals.

Who Should Apply: Working women returning to school to earn their first undergraduate degree. This scholarship supports adult learners with financial need and a drive to complete their education.

Who Should Apply: Women aged 35 and older with creative talents in arts, writing, or music who have never been members of the National League of American Pen Women. The organization selects three recipients each year.

Who Should Apply: Women who have overcome personal challenges and are entering college with a strong drive to succeed. The award includes $20,000, a laptop, textbook credits, and mental health support services. The criteria include Pell Grant eligibility, a minimum 2.4 GPA, and enrollment in a college readiness program.

Who Should Apply: This scholarship program offers funds to high school students who receive high scores on the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).

Who Should Apply: High school senior girls who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Applicants are evaluated through an interview and awarded a $1,000 scholarship based on their leadership and community impact.

Who Should Apply: Women from outside the U.S. and Canada attending graduate school in either country. Award amounts vary and are based on financial need to support international women scholars.