Women's Scholarship in the US
Women are the majority in higher education: As of recent data, women make up approximately 57% of all college students in the U.S., compared to 43% of men. Women in the United States have access to a wide array of scholarships designed to support their educational pursuits and empower them to succeed in various fields. These scholarships play a crucial role in leveling the playing field, addressing historical disparities, and promoting gender equality in education and professional careers.
More About Scholarships
over $25 million is awarded annually through various scholarships and grants to encourage women to pursue careers in STEM. Over 30% of health-related scholarships target female applicants.
Women’s scholarships often go beyond financial support by fostering leadership, community engagement, and social responsibility. Many scholarship programs emphasize the importance of leadership potential, community service, and involvement in social causes, encouraging recipients to become leaders in their communities and advocates for positive change. Women with scholarships often incur less student loan debt. On average, women graduate with about $2,000 to $5,000 less in debt when they receive scholarships.
The top 20 scholarships for women are listed below:
1. AAUW Career Development Grants
- Eligibility: Women pursuing their first bachelor’s degree, women of color, and women returning to the workforce. Plan to enroll or are enrolled in one of the following fields of study:
- Education.
- Health and Medical Sciences.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
- Social Sciences.
- Award Amount: $2,000 to $12,000.
- Details: Offered by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), these grants are designed to help women advance their careers by providing financial support for undergraduate degrees or certificates. Priority is given to women of color, low-income women, and women pursuing non-traditional fields. Funds are available for tuition, fees, books, supplies, local transportation, and dependent care.
- Website: AAUW Career Development Grants
2. Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: Low-income women, aged 35 and older, pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.
- Award Amount: Varies.
- Details: This scholarship supports older women who are returning to college to pursue undergraduate education. It specifically targets low-income women who demonstrate a strong desire to complete their education and improve their lives.
- Website: Jeannette Rankin Fund
3. Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Low-income women, at least 17 years old, with dependent children, pursuing their first undergraduate degree.must be pursuing a degree/credential at an institution that does not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender, lgbtq+ status/identity, race/ethnicity, religion, disability, or immigration status.
- Award Amount: Up to $5,000.
- Details: Named after the first woman of color elected to Congress, this scholarship supports low-income women who are primary caregivers, enabling them to pursue their educational goals and secure better futures for their families. Awards are disbursed in two separate installments (one each semester) over the academic year and may be used for direct school expenses or for living expenses while you are enrolled in an educational program. Awardees will be selected based on:
- Website: Patsy Mink Foundation
4. The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)
- Eligibility: Survivors of intimate partner abuse who are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program.
- Award Amount: Varies based on need.
- Details: WISP is dedicated to helping women who have survived domestic violence achieve financial independence by funding their education. The scholarship considers each applicant’s specific needs and aims to support women who face significant financial barriers to education.
- Website: WISP
5. Scholarship for Women Studying Information Security (SWSIS)
- Eligibility: Female students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Information Security or a related field.
- Award Amount: Up to $10,000.
- Details: This scholarship is aimed at women entering the field of information security, a rapidly growing industry with a significant gender gap. It encourages more women to pursue careers in cybersecurity by offering financial support.
- Website: SWSIS
6. Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships
- Eligibility: Female students studying engineering, engineering technology, or computer science.
- Award Amount: $1,000 to $15,000.
- Details: SWE offers a variety of scholarships for women pursuing degrees in engineering and computer science. These scholarships are open to women at different stages of their education and are designed to encourage more women to enter these traditionally male-dominated fields. The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) supports women pursuing careers in engineering and related fields through scholarships. In 2023, SWE awarded over $1.5 million across more than 330 scholarships. This includes scholarships for students in India enrolled in SWE Affiliate schools or Washington Accord-accredited programs.
- Website: SWE Scholarships
7. Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA) Scholarship
- Eligibility: Female students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
- Award Amount: Varies.
- Details: This scholarship supports women pursuing careers in accounting, with the goal of increasing female representation in the profession. The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, financial need, and a commitment to a career in accounting.
- Website: EFWA
8. The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Women pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field.
- Award Amount: Varies.
- Details: Named after computer scientist Anita Borg, this scholarship is designed to support women in computing and technology fields. The scholarship aims to inspire and encourage women to pursue careers in technology, offering both financial support and opportunities for professional development.
- Website: Google Scholarship
9. The BHW Group Women in STEM Scholarship
- Eligibility: Female students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).
- Award Amount: $3,000.
- Details: This scholarship is designed to support women pursuing degrees in STEM fields. It is open to undergraduate students and encourages women to pursue careers in areas where they are underrepresented.
- Website: BHW Group
10. The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school senior women with a minimum 3.0 GPA, who plan to enroll in an accredited undergraduate program.
- Award Amount: $2,500.
- Details: The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship is a one-time award for exceptional high school senior women who demonstrate excellence in leadership, extracurricular activities, community service, academics, and potential for future success.
- Website: P.E.O. International
11. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Scholarships
- Eligibility: Female U.S. citizens pursuing a bachelor’s degree in various fields, including history, political science, and education.
- Award Amount: Varies.
- Details: DAR offers several scholarships for women pursuing undergraduate degrees in specific fields. The organization supports women who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to their chosen field of study.
- Website: DAR Scholarships
12. Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Freshman Scholarships
- Eligibility: Incoming freshman women pursuing degrees in engineering, technology, or computer science.
- Award Amount: $1,000 to $15,000.
- Details: This scholarship supports women entering their first year of college in an engineering or technology program. The SWE offers a variety of scholarships for women at different stages of their education, with a focus on increasing female representation in STEM fields.
- Website: SWE Scholarships
13. The Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG)
- Eligibility: Women from developing countries enrolled in a U.S. institution and pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies.
- Award Amount: Up to $15,000.
- Details: The MMEG provides financial assistance to women from developing countries who are pursuing education in the U.S. The goal is to help these women gain the skills and knowledge they need to improve the lives of women and children in their home countries.
- Website: MMEG
14. The HORIZONS Scholarship
- Eligibility: Female undergraduate students pursuing degrees related to national security or defense.
- Award Amount: Varies.
- Details: This scholarship, offered by Women in Defense, a National Defense Industrial Association affiliate, supports women pursuing degrees in fields related to national security and defense. The scholarship aims to encourage more women to enter these critical fields.
- Website: Women in Defense
15. Newcombe Scholarship for Mature Women Students
- Eligibility: Women aged 25 and older pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.
- Award Amount: Varies.
- Details: The Newcombe Foundation offers scholarships for mature women returning to school to complete their undergraduate degrees. The scholarship is designed to support women who have faced financial and personal challenges in their pursuit of education.
- Website: Newcombe Foundation
16. Women’s Energy Network (WEN) Scholarship
- Eligibility: Female undergraduate students pursuing degrees in energy-related fields.
- Award Amount: $2,000.
- Details: The WEN Scholarship supports women pursuing careers in the energy sector. The scholarship is open to women in undergraduate programs who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to pursuing a career in energy.
- Website: WEN
17. The Clare Boothe Luce Program
- Eligibility: Female undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, engineering, or mathematics.
- Award Amount: Varies.
- Details: The Clare Boothe Luce Program, established by the Huntington Foundation, is one of the largest sources of private funding for women in STEM fields. This program offers scholarships, fellowships, and grants to women who are pursuing careers in science, engineering, and mathematics. It aims to increase the number of women in these traditionally male-dominated fields by providing substantial financial support and professional development opportunities.The Clare Boothe Luce Program is all about increasing women's participation in STEM fields by tackling barriers and expanding opportunities. It supports higher education institutions with grants up to $750,000 to address and overcome challenges that deter women from pursuing and sticking with STEM careers.
- Website: Clare Boothe Luce Program
18. The AAW Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: Female undergraduate students pursuing degrees in a variety of fields, including business, STEM, and health sciences.
- Award Amount: Varies.
- Details: The AAW Foundation provides scholarships to women pursuing undergraduate degrees across various disciplines. These scholarships are designed to support women who exhibit academic excellence and financial need. The foundation’s goal is to empower women by reducing the financial barriers to obtaining higher education and supporting their career ambitions.
- Website: AAW Foundation
19. The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
- Eligibility: Female undergraduate students studying business or business-related fields.
- Award Amount: $2,000 to $8,000.
- Details: Sponsored by Zonta International, the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship supports women pursuing undergraduate or master’s degrees in business. This scholarship aims to encourage and support women who are interested in advancing their careers in the business world and achieving leadership roles. Recipients are selected based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to their chosen field.
- Website: Zonta International
20. The Advancing Women in Technology Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Female students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in technology-related fields.
- Award Amount: $3,000.
- Details: The Advancing Women in Technology Scholarship Program, sponsored by the Avanade Foundation, supports women who are pursuing degrees in technology. This scholarship is aimed at closing the gender gap in the technology sector by providing financial support, mentorship, and career development opportunities. The program encourages women to enter and excel in technology fields where they are underrepresented.
- Website: Avanade Scholarship