Finding Education Grant Money for Women

Sources for Women's College Gift Aid

Grants are a form of free gift aid. They can be confused with scholarships, but are typically awarded on need, versus merit scholarships. Many of the grants target under-represented populations, women chief among them. You’ll find special grants for women going to college for historically male-dominated fields, such as science, math, engineering and technology, and grants for at-risk women and minorities.

A few of the very big grant programs aimed at women students draw hundreds of applicants. These are ultra-competitive. But don’t let that psych you out of the contest. Your chances of winning grant money from one of the smaller and less well-trafficked grant programs is much better. Why? Applying for grant money takes time, effort and patience – three things many of your peers just don’t want to commit to. So don’t automatically assume you won’t qualify for a grant, even the biggies. They are worth making the effort.

  • The American Association of University Women AAUW is one of the most well-known organizations for its gift aid. The organization offers a number of scholarships, fellowships and grants in efforts to support the education of all kinds of women. Grants include the Community Action Grants and the Career Development Grants.

Sources for Women’s Grant Money

Grant money streams from a variety of sources. Typically you’ll discover that the federal government, and private and public organizations are common in the grant realm. But don’t discount what your home state may offer as well as some colleges and universities.

Community foundations are public organizations common in many states. Active in fund-raising and civic awareness and improvement, use these sources to locate grant money earmarked for a wide spectrum of individuals, including women pursuing educational opportunity.

  • Maine Community Foundation provides a remarkable number of grants to regional recipients including individuals and organizations. Look for money for teachers, filmmakers, writers and aspiring historians.

Minority Women Grants

If you think women in general have had a hard time of education then consider the challenges that have faced most minority women. They are in high demand in the STEM fields, or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, so look for plenty of grant money to stream from related sources.

  • The National Science Foundation and the Association for Women in Mathematics offer annual travel grants to women with economic need and the desire to attend educational events and conferences. These organizations support the educational pursuits of women in areas of study historically dominated by white males, especially aerospace engineering.

How to Search for College Grants for Women

Start with the Federal grants—Pell Grants, and FSEOG. Then explore any grants offered by your state government, local organizations, local businesses and your college or university.

A Few Grant Programs

  • PEO International is a not for profit organization that makes low-interest loans, scholarships and grants available to a range of women that need money for education. The organization’s PEO Program for Continuing Education is a traditional grant and available to women who did not complete college and now wish to return. Monies are awarded based on two factors: financial need for college money, and the need for additional education that enables the applicant to get a job that is necessary for family survival.
  • Zonta International’s Amelia Earhart Fellowship Program is specifically tailored to women engaged in PhD level studies in a field related to science and/or engineering. Annual award is $10,000.