Scholarships for Women

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Unigo Author Dave Moniz Written by Dave Moniz
Unigo Editor Unigo Staff ✔️ Edited by Unigo Staff

There are a wide range of scholarships for women at all levels of study and all ages. Whether you are in high school, or ready to pursue a bachelors or graduate degree, there are a multitude of scholarships and grants available to make going back to school more affordable. Read on to learn more about this available financial aid.

List of Scholarships for Women

UNF Dawn Blackledge Scholarship

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Award Amount
$2,400 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Mar 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to students at the University of North Florida who are enrolled in the College of Computing, Engineering & Construction. Students must be members of the UNF chapter of the Society of Women Engineers, and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship

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Award Amount
$9,000 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
3 Awards
Scholarship Deadline
Jun 25 Deadline

This scholarship is open to women-identified students who are LGBTQ and demonstrate academic excellence, community service, and commitment to impacting LGBTQ issues. Students may be high school seniors or currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students.
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Transportation YOU Scholarship for High School Girls - Portland Chapter

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Award Amount
$2,000 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
3 Awards
Scholarship Deadline
Oct 25 Deadline

This scholarship is available for high school women in Oregon and southwest Washington who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and an interest in pursuing a career in transportation. Applicants must be between the ages of 13 and 18.
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Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship - Portland Chapter

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Award Amount
$3,500 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Oct 25 Deadline

This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate women who are majoring in a field related to transportation. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and reside in Oregon and southwest Washington
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Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship - Portland Chapter

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Award Amount
$3,500 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Oct 25 Deadline

This scholarship is available for U.S. graduate students who are majoring in a field related to transportation. Applicants must be female, must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and must reside in Oregon and southwest Washington.
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Beverley Swaim Staley Leadership Legacy Scholarship - Portland Chapter

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Award Amount
$4,000 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Oct 25 Deadline

This scholarship is available for graduate women in Oregon and southwest Washington who are majoring in a transportation-related field. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must express an interest in international issues arising in the transportation industry.
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Gail Achterman Leadership Scholarship - Portland Chapter

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Award Amount
$6,800 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Oct 25 Deadline

This scholarship is available for women in Oregon and southwest Washington who are majoring in transportation or a related field. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must demonstrate qualities of leadership.
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Alpha Kappa #4401/Joann Zaleski Endowment Scholarship

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Award Amount
$550 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. and international female undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of and attend college/university in Michigan. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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Worthy Women's Professional Studies Scholarship

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Award Amount
$2,500 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
3 Awards
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 1 Deadline

The Worthy Women's Professional Studies Scholarship is available for U.S. women over the age of 30 who are pursuing further education and professional studies.
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Anne Shen Smith Endowed Scholarship

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Award Amount
$1,250 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Mar 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to female U.S. college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are majoring in engineering or computer science. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; underrepresented groups will be given preference.
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Betty Lou Bailey SWE Region F Scholarship

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Award Amount
$2,000 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to female U.S. college sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students who are members of SWE and majoring in engineering or computer science. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; first preference is given to students attending school within the Region F boundaries, while second preference is given to students with a home address within the Region F boundaries.
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Brill Family Scholarship

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Award Amount
$2,000 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to female U.S. and international college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are majoring in aeronautical/aerospace engineering or biomedical engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and plan to enroll full time.
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Carol Stephens SWE Region F Scholarship

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Award Amount
$1,500 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. female college sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students who are majoring in engineering or computer science and are members of SWE. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; first preference will be given to students who attend schools within SWE Region F, and second preference will be given to students with home addresses within SWE Region F.
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Cummins Inc. Scholarship

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Award Amount
$1,000 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to female U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in selected engineering fields. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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IBM Linda Sanford Women's Technical Advancement Scholarship

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Award Amount
$1,250 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to women who are re-entry/non-traditional students majoring in computer engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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Lonnie Lee & Maria Elena Abernethy Scholarship - Undergraduate & Graduate Students

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Award Amount
$1,000 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to female U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are Native Americans majoring in engineering or computer science with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must reside in New Mexico and attend the University of New Mexico or New Mexico State University.
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Mary Gunther Memorial Scholarship - Sophomore/Junior/Senior Students

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Award Amount
$6,500 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
2 Awards
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to female college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are majoring in engineering (architectural and environmental preferred). Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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Mary Jones Berry Scholarship

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Award Amount
$1,250 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to female graduate students who are majoring in aeronautical/aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials science & engineering, or mechanical engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Preference is given to students attending VA Tech, Univ. of VA, Penn. State, GA Tech, and Purdue Univ.
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Mary V. Munger Scholarship

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Award Amount
$6,000 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
2 Awards
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are college juniors or seniors or re-entry/non-traditional students studying engineering or computer science. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be members of SWE.
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Roberta Banaszak Gleiter - Engineering Endeavour Scholarship

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Award Amount
$1,500 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. female undergraduate students who are majoring in aeronautical/aerospace engineering or chemical engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be members of SWE.
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Rochelle Nicolette Perry Memorial Scholarship

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Award Amount
$1,250 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to female sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students who are majoring in engineering or engineering technology and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must be members of SWE and attend an institution in SWE Region E or H.
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SWE Baltimore-Washington Section Scholarship

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Award Amount
$2,250 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. female undergraduate and graduate students majoring in engineering or computer science with grade point averages of 3.0 or higher. Students must be members of SWE and attend schools in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia.
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SWE Boston Section Scholarship

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Award Amount
$1,250 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to Massachusetts female juniors and seniors who are majoring in engineering or computer science. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher; preference is given to students with financial need and/or attending selected Massachusetts colleges/universities.
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SWE Central New Mexico - Reentry Scholarship

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Award Amount
$2,000 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to female U.S. students who are re-entering education at the sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate level to study engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, be members of SWE, and attend a New Mexico university.
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SWE Mid-Hudson Section Scholarship

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Award Amount
$1,250 Award Amount
Total Award Amount
1 Award
Scholarship Deadline
Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to female college sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students who are studying engineering or computer science. Students who reside and attend school in New York (zip codes 124, 125, 126) are given preference.
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Some scholarships are for women or color or need-based. Other scholarships may target a specific field to incentivize women to study it, including scholarships for women who are interested in pursuing careers in STEM, business, education, aviation, and nursing – just to name a few.

Yet other scholarship opportunities are available if you reside in a certain state or plan to attend a certain college or university. specific schools. You’ll also find scholarships if you are a woman serving or who has served in the United States Armed Forces. You may also be eligible for funding if your spouse, child, or parent has served in the military!

The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship is a great example. Applicants must be a woman who has served or is serving honorably in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, Army National Guard. Children of women who serve or have served in one of these branches, may also be eligible for awards.

Male vs Female Scholarships

Group of diverse, happy women friends laughing together.

Unless a scholarship has criteria that says otherwise, both men and women canapply. But some providers want to award scholarships that specifically support women pursuing higher education. Female scholarships thus restrict applicants to persons who identify as female.

To get this kind of financial help, you’ll compete with other women. Though there may be other rules about eligibility. These might include showing financial need, a specific GPA, SAT/ACT scores, background, geographic location, talent, or other factor.

Nonetheless, unlike student loans that do require repayment, scholarships generally do not need to be paid back and may help you get the education you seek affordably. You do need to respect the conditions of the scholarship so make sure to understand the requirements and expectations prior to applying and accepting any scholarship award.

Types of Scholarships Women Can Apply For

There are two kinds of scholarships that women might apply for. One is need-based, which is generally based on your household income and finances. Need-based grants and scholarships are often awarded to students who might otherwise not be able afford to goto school. Merit based scholarships are awarded based on a student’s grades, test scores, or other academic performance factors. Some scholarships and grants can be awarded based on both a student’s need and merit.

Within these broad categories, there are scholarships for females of certain age ranges. Many providers also offer awards to help underserved groups of women pursue a college or graduate level education. Others focus on supporting women in reaching a specific degree level or career path. We’ll walk you through a few to give you an idea of how to streamline your search for the perfect scholarships.

Grants for Women

A great source for funding your education are grants. Grants do not need to be repaid and are available from the federal government, states, and colleges and universities.

One of the most popular grants is the Pell Grant offered by the federal government. This is a need-based grant that can provide awards of up to $7,395 for 2024-25. In order to qualify for a Pell Grant, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”) and meet income requirements. The FAFSA is also important to unlock all kinds of other grants for women that you may be eligible for from your state or colleges and universities directly.

Speaking of grants from colleges and universities, many schools offer students money to make education more affordable but also encourage students to attend their school. Award amounts can also be based on student need but also merit-based factors.

How Can Women Get STEM Scholarships?

Smiling young woman leaning against a vibrant red wall.

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) scholarships may be available through technology companies, such as Google, associations, or foundations. . You may also find industry specific STEM scholarships when enrolled in full time study. Government organizations, such as various states, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Defense, also provide STEM grants and scholarships.

According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), women make up only 34% of the workforce in STEM fields. In computer science and engineering, the gender gap is even more significant. Many organizations recognize this gap and specifically want to help expand the number of women working in STEM fields. This means there are many STEM scholarships focused on women you can apply to!

Scholarships for Women in STEM

The Brookhaven Women in Science (BWIS) offers the Renate W. Chasman Scholarship. It consists of a one time $2,500 award. Applicants must be female graduate students attending an accredited institution. They must also be performing STEM research at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Since STEM comprises several fields, there are a number of other options. If you prefer statistics, try applying for the Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship. They offer a $1,000 award to women studying statistics. The scholarship was established in 1989 to encourage more women to enter statistically oriented professions. Eligible applicants must submit an essay, transcript and application form.

You might also find scholarships through engineering associations. The Society for Women Engineers (SWE) offers many engineering scholarships to women pursuing STEM fields. They often pair with a certain college or university with ABET accredited programs. There’s also the Houzz Women in Architecture Scholarship, which supports the next generation of female architects and architectural engineers.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN

College bound women have a range of scholarships to choose from. It is a good idea to consider your career and study goals when searching for different scholarships. This is because many providers want to pave the way for women to succeed in their industry.

Women in Public Finance Scholarship awards $3,000 scholarships to 10 eligible female students. Applicants need to have an interest in pursuing a public finance related career in finance, government, non-profit organizations, or law.

Scholarships for Female Grad Students

Joyful young woman laughing in a lush outdoor setting.

There are many graduate scholarships for women. It all depends on what you want to study. Are you a business minded woman looking for an MBA scholarship? Wondering about law school scholarships for women? Or, maybe you want to become a nurse practitioner? Use this to focus your search.

One to check out is the Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship program. It helps women pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management. The scholarship is also open to international female students.

Scholarships for Women Over 40 and 50

Many scholarships are for women who want to change or advance a career or reenter the workforce. Scholarships for women over 40 make it possible to return to school without taking out huge student loans.

One example is the Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Mid-life Women. It is for women age 35 and up living in the Greater Los Angeles area. You must be entering or continuing a program to learn a marketable skill in order to qualify for this scholarship. One that will lead to economic self sufficiency.

Another option might be the Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund. It provides scholarships for low income women ages 35 t and older across the United States. Their goal is to improve lives through post secondary education.

Scholarships for Women of Color

If you are a woman of color looking to further your education, there are many scholarships to consider.

One example is Orchard’s Scholarship for Women of Color in STEM, which provides awards of up to $2,500 to qualified applicants who are pursuing STEM fields. Another is the Women of Color Professional Developement Fund, offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which provides women, persons of color, non-binary, and transgendered who are MIT students with awards of up to $300 per year. The African-American Entrepreneurs Grant – Female Award provides black female entrepreneurs of grants of up to $1,000.

Scholarships for Single Moms

If you are a single mother, there are a number of scholarships to look into. The Ellen M. Cherry-Delawder Memorial Scholarship provides awards of up to $4,000 for single mothers pursing a business related field.

Many single moms with lower incomes may also be eligible for the Federal Supplemental Educatonal Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), which provides undergraduate students with awards of up to $4,000 per year. FSEOG is need-based and requires you to complete a FAFSA.

Scholarships for Female High School Students

Confident professional woman seated in modern office setting.

If you are a female high school student, there are scholarships available, even if you don’t yet know what you will major in just yet. One example is the 1,000 Dreams Scholarship Fund Recipients get money to pay for extracurricular activities, lessons, and conferences. Another is the P.E.O. Star Scholarship. It goes to females in their senior year of high school. You need an unweighted 3.0 GPA and leadership skills to apply.

What Makes Scholarships for Women Unique?

Scholarships may help female students succeed in school and in their careers. One study found that women are 50% less likely to get help from their parents to finance their studies than men. But women make up the majority of college and university students. As of Spring 2024, there were just under 17.8 million students enrolled in the U.S. colleges and universities, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NCSC). Of these, 9.8 million or 55% are female.

This isn’t always the case in the workforce. Women are still breaking ground in traditionally male dominated areas. As of 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Labor,44% of full time wage and salary workers were women. The numbers shift depending on the field of employment. The good news is women in the labor force are more educated than in the past 50 years. According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2022 women account for nearly 51% of the college educated workforce in the U.S. Women overtook men in this category in 2019.

Many scholarship providers recognize these trends. They want to help women fulfill their dreams. For instance, there are many scholarships for women in computer science and engineering, areas that women are breaking ground in.

The Women Techmakers Scholars program is offered through Google. tThe scholarship is in honor of Dr. Anita Borg. She spent her life trying to break down barriers – ones that keep women and persons of color from pursuing a tech focused career.

A Peek at Women in the Workforce

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the percentage of women employed by select occupations:

Career Path

Percentage of Women Employed

Registered Nurses

86%

Elementary school teachers

83%

Accountants and auditors

60%

Management

52%

Life, physical, and social science occupations

42%

Physicians and surgeons

38%

Chief executives

31%

Computer and mathematical occupations

27%

Software developers

20%

Architecture and engineering occupations

17%