Are there Grants for Women?

There are many grants for women. Some are merit based and reward academics, community service or talent. And others are for women who need financial help. Providers may also set aside grant money for women who are also part of a certain group. Like single moms, battered women, Veterans, minority women and females who put their degree on hold. 

Where Can I Find Grants for Women? 

As a woman, you have many sources to check for grants. Like gov’ts, nonprofits, agencies, businesses, foundations, schools or trusts. You can look for grants based on your major, ethnic group and status too. Using as many personal factors as you can think of might focus your search. And, help you find ones that suit the goal you want the grant to address. For more information on financial aid, grants, and scholarships, you can download our FREE Education Success Kit. You can also visit Unigo.com to find a list of scholarships and grants for women..

How do you get grants for women?

Apart from being female, to get a grant, you have to qualify. And because each grant giver looks for unique things, the criterion varies from one to the next. As a rule of thumb, many grants are for US citizens or legal permanent residents. You may also need to be a local or state resident and furnish a copy of your ID.

Merit grants generally go to women who also meet an approved GPA range. So, along with the form, you send copies of transcripts, official or unofficial. Women are still a minority in some parts of the workforce. To get these grants, you may need to be a woman studying in a field that is male dominant. 

Per Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), in 2019 women made up 57.4% of the workforce. But there are still fewer female software developers, lawyers and executives. Need based grants are for low income women. These applications tend to want proof of financial need. An income tax statement, or a copy of your FAFSA paperwork.

For some grants, you send in separate references, a resume and personal essay. Another section might be for your awards, accomplishments and activities. Once your application is complete, make sure to send it in by or before the deadline. You may have to mail your complete package, use an online system, or both.

Why is Grant Money Available to Women?

Grant money for women aims to help females meet their educational and career goals (if you qualify of course!). The millions of dollars available to those who qualify may also fill the gap where women don’t have as many opportunities. Take the workforce. In spite of a strong presence, women are still a minority in some fields.

One study by the census.gov found that in 1970, women made up 38% of all U.S. workers and 8% of STEM workers. By 2019, the STEM proportion had increased to 27% and women made up 48% of all workers.

According to the same study, since 1970, the representation of women has increased across all STEM occupations and they made significant gains in social science occupations in particular – from 19% in 1970 to 64% in 2019. Women in 2019 also made up nearly half of those in all math (47%) and life and physical science (45%) occupations.

Then there’s pay inequality. Women employed full-time, year-round in STEM occupations earned more than their non-STEM counterparts but the gender earnings gap persisted within STEM occupations. Among the 70 detailed STEM occupations the Census Bureau reports on, women earned more than men in only one STEM occupation: computer network architects. But women represented only 8% of those in this occupation. It may be hard for a victim of abuse or single mom to afford a college degree. So, many charitable agencies who care about women’s causes make funds available too.

Why Consider Grants for Women?

Grants are a type of funding that women might use to pay for college. Unlike a loan, you typically do not have to repay the money. Studies show that having a college degree may boost lifetime earnings. At the same time, tuition for four year degrees are on the rise.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, it could cost around $18,383 at public colleges. A grant may offset some of the costs of tuition, fees, housing and supplies. Or, help women pay down other expenses such as childcare and travel to school.

Unemployment Rates and Weekly Earnings by Education Level*

Grants for Women for 2020 & Beyond

We’ve compiled a list of grants for women with deadline dates in 2020 and beyond.  

AAUW Career Development Grants

AAUW is the American Association of University Women. They began in 1881 and advocate for women’s and girl’s rights since. Career Development Grants range from $2,000 to $12,000. The grants are for women with a bachelor’s degree who want to re-enter the workforce, prep for or further a career. If you are a woman of color, it’s your first advanced degree or you are in a nontraditional field, you could get priority. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. And who earned their last degree before June 30, 2015. Funds are available for tuition, fees, books, supplies, local transportation and dependent care. 

Deadline: November 15

Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards

Soroptimist invests over 2.6 million in education grants to about 1,650 women each year. Some of the challenges these women face are poverty, domestic and sexual violence and addiction. The Live Your Dream Awards are grants for women who are the main bread winners in their families. As a recipient, you could use the cash to offset any costs related to higher education. Like books, childcare, tuition and transport. There are three levels of cash awards and the finalist may get up to $16,000.

Deadline: November 15

GoGirl! Grants

The Girlfriend Factor offers the GoGirl! Grants to help adult women access higher education. GoGirl! Grants are for females over the age of 25, in financial need and working towards an undergrad degree or trade certificate. Applicants also need to live and go to school in the Coachella Valley, CA. Before you apply, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In the past, 147 local women got over $500,000 in grants. 

Deadline: June 15, December 15

Women Techmakers Scholars Program

Google offers a Women Techmakers Scholars Program. You may know this as the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship Program. In spite of the name change, the program still works to create gender equality in the tech industry. It consists of an academic scholarship, retreat and online network. About 20 Women Techmakers Scholars in the US each get $10 K or $5,000 CAD for students in Canada. To be eligible, you need to be studying a computer focused major or one related to video gaming. 

Deadline: December 5

P.E.O. STAR Scholarship

P.E.O. is the Philanthropic Educational Organization. A member group, their mission is to help women pursue higher education. The STAR scholarship has, since 2009, helped exceptional high school senior women attend college. A non-renewable $2,500 award, the funds could help offset tuition, fees, books or necessary supplies. You may quality if you have a 3.0 GPA or above and plan to attend an accredited US or Canadian college. Applicants also need the vote of a local P.E.O. Chapter.  

Deadline: Varies

P.E.O. Scholar Awards

P.E.O. Scholar Awards are a one time merit award for women in doctoral level programs. These awards offset some of the cost of study and research. Eligible women are leaders in their field. Whether in university academics, science, medicine, law, global economics, history, literature, gov’t or the arts. Award amounts vary each year but the max you could get is $15,000. To apply, you must get a nomination and show a potential to make a positive impact.  

Deadline: Varies  

P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education

A need based grant, P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education is for women who put their degree on hold. It aims to help women go back to school to complete a college degree or certification that boosts their marketable skills. The max grant amount is $3,000 though lesser amounts may be available. If you qualify and get a grant, the money must go to education related expenses. Including childcare, mandatory uniforms and transport to and from class.  

Deadline: Varies  

Jeannette Rankin Foundation Award

The Jeannette Rankin Foundation (JRF) Awards are for low income women aged 35 and over. About 75% of JRF scholars are single moms, but you don’t have to be one to apply. You do need to be a US citizen or legal permanent resident. And you must be pursuing a technical / vocational associate or bachelor degree. Along with financial info, expect to submit references and transcripts. Grant amounts vary but since 2018 total more than $3 million.  

Deadline: February

Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation

Patsy Takemoto Mink was the first woman of color elected to the House of Representatives. The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation aims to carry on some of Mink’s goals. One of these is to make a college degree more accessible to low income mothers, especially single moms. While grant amounts vary, each year five women get up to $5,000 each. To qualify, you have to be 17 years or older and a mom of minor children. You must also be pursuing a first degree at an accredited US school and prove financial need.  

Deadline: August 1

Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP) Inc.

The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program, Inc. funds female survivors of intimate spousal abuse who seek higher education. Amounts range from $250 to $2,000 per school term. To qualify, you need to have a sponsor. A sponsor is a 501(c)3 charity (domestic violence victim services provider) that you’ve worked with for six months in a row. This person agrees to partner with WISP and you during your time in school. You also have to pursue your education at an accredited school and be separated from your abusive spouse for one year.

Deadline: Rolling 

Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarships

The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarships provides grants to women soldiers (past or present) and their children. The funds aim to offset costs related to higher education. There are two programs, each with their own specs. Community College and Certificate Program Legacy Scholarships award up to $1,000 each. And College, University, and Graduate Program Legacy Scholarships award up to $2,500 each. Both kinds take into account your GPA, community service record, letters of recommendation and need level.  

Deadline: July 15

Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA) Scholarships

The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting offers scholarships to women pursing an accounting degree. There are EFWA scholarships for undergrad, grad and post grad degree levels. You may apply for more than one scholarship as long as you meet the criteria. Within each category there are funds set aside for minority women, mothers returning to school and re-entry juniors and seniors. Amounts for these programs vary between $1,000 and $2,000 each. 

Deadline: April 30

Regents Health Care Scholarship

SUNY offers Regents Health Care Scholarships for medicine and dentistry. These awards pay up to $10,000 per year based upon income. They renew for up to four years of study if you continue to qualify. To be eligible you must be at the start or already enrolled in an approved program of study in medicine or dentistry in New York State. Applicants must be NY residents, US citizens, permanent residents or selected approved refugees. Preferred applicants are minority groups and those in financial need. Recipients must also agree to serve 12 months for each annual payment received.  

Deadline: January of the competition year