Women make up a greater proportion of all students now than ever before. The financial burden is heavy for all students these days, but particularly for females, thanks to factors like the gender wage gap.
Thankfully, several scholarships for women allow female students to access quality education without having to worry about crippling student debt.
Best Scholarships for Female Students
1. The AAUW Fellowships (Deadline: November and December 2022, various dates)
Amount: $2,000 to $50,000
The AAUW (American Association of University Women) offers several fellowships and scholarships, making this one of the most popular funding options for aspiring female students. These scholarships for female students are available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
2. First Wings Awards (Deadline for fall: October 1, 2022)
Amount: Up to $6,000
This scholarship is open to female aviation students who are Student Pilot Members of the 99s. There are two awards per year—one in spring and the other in fall.
3. NSCA Women’s Scholarships (Deadline: October 15, 2022)
Amount: $2,000, $5,000
The National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation offers scholarships to students whose studies and research enhance the practical application of strength and conditioning.
4. ANSWER Scholarship (Deadline: March 1, 2024)
Amount: $2,500, $5,000
The ANSWER scholarship is awarded to mothers who want to complete a degree in nursing or other fields.
5. Worthy Women’s Scholarship (Deadline: December 5, 2022)
Amount: $2,500
This scholarship is for women aged 30 and over who wish to continue their education. Three awards are given each year based on the best personal essays submitted.
6. Mary Schonfield PA School Scholarship (Deadline: August 17, 2022)
Amount: $4,250
This scholarship for women is offered in memory of Mary Schonfield to medical students wishing to graduate from a Physician Assistant program.
7. Paliwal Club of 100 Steam Scholars Fund (Deadline: September 30, 2022)
Amount: Up to $1,500 per semester
These scholarships for girls are given to students with financial need across two categories: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) and Music.
8. Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship (Deadline: February 23, 2024)
Amount: $1,000
The ASA Committee on Women in Statistics and the Caucus for Women in Statistics jointly offer this scholarship for two types of students: one in the early stages of their MS or PhD, and another in the later stages of their studies in a statistics program.
9. Anna Louise Hoffman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Research (Deadline: February 15, 2024)
Amount: $1,000
This female scholarship from Iota Sigma Pi is awarded to a graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in chemistry research.
10. Pearl I. Young Scholarship (Deadline: February 15, 2024)
Amount: $2,500
The ND Space Grant Consortium established this award was established for female and non-binary graduate students of the University of North Dakota majoring in a STEM or STEM Education program.
11. WTS Portland Chapter Gail Achterman Leadership Scholarship (Deadline: October 25, 2022)
Amount: $5,400
This scholarship is offered to female graduate and undergraduate students in the transportation sector who have demonstrated leadership qualities.
12. GoGirl! Grants (Deadline: December 15, 2022)
Amount: Various
The Girl Friend Factor Association created these grants to support female students with clear career goals and a compelling vision for the future.
13. International Teacher Education Scholarship (Deadline: January 14, 2024)
Amount: $10,000
This scholarship for female students is given to seven non-US students who have completed their undergraduate studies, are eligible for a master’s program, and wish to pursue a career in teaching.
14. Minnie L. Maffett Scholarship (Deadline: March 31, 2024)
Amount: $5,000
This scholarship is offered to graduate students pursuing a health or medical science program.
15. Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards (Deadline: November 15, 2022)
Amount: Up to $16,000
Every year, these awards support higher education expenses of 1,700 female students around the world who financially support their families.
16. Lucile B. Kaufman Women’s Scholarship (Deadline: February 1, 2024)
Amount: Various
This scholarship for females is offered to students pursuing a degree in manufacturing, engineering, technology, or a related discipline.
17. Houzz Women in Architecture Scholarship (Deadline: March 31, 2024)
Amount: $2,500
This women scholarship is awarded to architecture students at the graduate and undergraduate level.
18. WMA Scholarships (Deadline: February 28, 2024)
Amount: $500 – $5,000
This WMA (Women’s Marine Association) scholarship is awarded to female students across nine different categories who have served, or are serving, in the US Marine Corps or Reserve.
19. WIIT Student Scholarships (Deadline: November 1, 2022)
Amount: $1,500
This scholarship is awarded to female graduate and undergraduate students studying international trade or related disciplines and with a demonstrated interest in the field.
20. Orangesoft Women in Technology Scholarship Program ’22 (Deadline: October 31, 2022)
Amount: $1,000
The Orangesoft scholarship is given to female students pursuing a STEM or other technology-oriented program who aspire to build a technology-based career.
21. (ISC)² Women in Information Security Scholarship (Deadline: February 20, 2024)
Amount: $1,000 – $5,000
This scholarship from the Center for Cyber Safety & Education is offered to students pursuing cybersecurity programs.
22. Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance Foundation Scholarship (Deadline: April 1, 2024)
Amount: $1,500
Female students in accounting and finance programs at both graduate and undergraduate levels are eligible for this scholarship.
23. AFWM Ford Emerging Voices Scholarship (Deadline: May 8, 2024)
Amount: $5,000
The Alliance for Women in Media (AFWM) Foundation and Ford Motors jointly offers this scholarship for brilliant graduate and undergraduate students who will provide quality journalistic content for AWFM.
24. FWSF (Financial Women of San Francisco) Scholarship (March 23, 2024)
Amount: $15,000
This scholarship is awarded to students from the San Francisco Bay Area with demonstrated community leadership and a strong academic history pursuing a graduate or undergraduate program in finance.
25. Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarships (Deadline: January 21, 2024)
Amount: Up to $3,000
These scholarships from Army Women’s Foundation are open to women pursuing a STEM program at the graduate, undergraduate, or certificate level. To qualify, you’ll need to be a veteran or currently serving member of the US Army or its affiliated organizations.
26. Catherine E. Philbin Public Health Scholarship (Deadline: March 1, 2024)
Amount: $500
This scholarship is offered by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Massachusetts, and is open to graduates and undergraduates who are legal residents of the state.
27. Chris Andersen WomenLead Scholarship (Deadline: April 30, 2024)
Amount: $3,000
This award is provided to graduate students attending a theological seminary or a similar institution. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate their strong faith and passion for Christian leadership and service.
28. CWGCS Fellowship on Women & Public Policy (Deadline: April 15, 2024)
Amount: $10,000
This scholarship focuses on public policy and is offered to female graduate students committed to positive social change. It is offered by Rockefeller College’s Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, which is part of the University at Albany.
29. Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship (Deadline: October 28, 2022)
Amount: $10,000
This scholarship is given to students, especially those from minority communities, studying transportation or related programs, such as logistics, planning, or finance at the graduate level.
30. Irene Adler Prize (Deadline: May 30, 2024)
Amount: $1,000
US and Canadian citizens are eligible to apply for the Irene Adler scholarship, which is awarded to graduate and undergraduate students in journalism, literature, and creative writing.
How to Qualify for Scholarships for Women
Scholarships for women require two main criteria: either impressive academic performance, extracurricular activities (or both). Additionally, you’ll also need to demonstrate practical and leadership skills.
Most selection committees ask for a personal essay — your opportunity to demonstrate your passion and set yourself apart from other candidates. Finally, some organizations might even require a video interview.
Remember to check the individual requirements for the scholarship you wish to apply for and prepare the strongest application you can.
Types of Scholarships Available for Female Students
Many graduate scholarships for women are classified by discipline, such as science, statistics, mathematics, journalism, medical science, or technology. There are also scholarships based on specific fields, such as STEM programs.
You can also find special scholarships for women based on financial need and income levels, for mothers supporting their families, and for working women who want to continue their education.
Things to Consider When Applying for Female Scholarships
The first thing you need to do is go through all of the information about the scholarship requirements and what you need to do to apply. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not sure you’ll be an ideal candidate – it’s always worth throwing your hat in the ring.
However, you should first apply for the scholarships you feel you are most closely aligned with in requirements, then consider the others.
It’s a good idea to apply for as many scholarships as possible, as long as you are eligible under the requirements. It’s always important to do your research as early as possible — check for available scholarships at the beginning of the year because many scholarships pass the deadline by mid-year.
How to Apply for Women Scholarships
Applying for scholarships for women is not overly difficult. Usually, you can find all relevant information and application requirements on the university website or organization offering the scholarship.
It’s important to provide comprehensive and accurate information correctly and submit it with all requested documents. Aim to submit the application well before the deadline – that way, if something comes up, you’ll still be able to get it in on time.
Tips for Winning Scholarships for Women
Here are some quick tips to enhance your chances of getting scholarships for women:
- Apply early: Starting early is important because scholarship application deadlines are non-negotiable. Avoid applying to multiple scholarships at the last minute – you want to give yourself plenty of time to prepare the strongest possible application.
- Apply to as many as you can: We always recommend applying to multiple grad schools — the same goes for scholarships. Apply for as many as possible to increase your chances of success.
- Prepare a stellar essay: Make sure you go through the eligibility requirements carefully and put particular effort into preparing your personal essay in particular, because a strong essay will make you stand out and can make all the difference.
What Makes Scholarships for Women Unique?
College scholarships for women address inequalities in the educational sector and the workplace. For example, female students may find it harder to get assistance from parents to fund their education.
Furthermore, the gender wage gap makes student loans an even bigger burden for female students than their male counterparts. Scholarships that are offered exclusively to women help to address such issues.
Final Thoughts
Bottom line? Scholarships for women are feminist scholarships because they go the distance in bridging inequalities. These days, you have a choice from a wide range of scholarships for women available.
Whether you’re pursuing a STEM-designated program or another field, or if you are a US citizen or an international student, you’ll find scholarship options that suit your history, passions, and career aspirations.
For more help with funding your studies, take a look at our guide to graduate school scholarships!
FAQs about Scholarships for Women
-
Do I Have to be in College to Get a Female Scholarship?
No. Though many scholarships are for college undergraduate or graduate students, some scholarships for women appeal to high school students as well.
-
What GPA Do I Need to Get a Female Scholarship?
Many scholarships ask for a minimum GPA of 3.0, but this is not a universal rule. Some organizations will accept candidates with a lower GPA if they demonstrate exceptional qualities in other areas. Finally, some awards don’t consider your academic record at all and focus on other attributes.
-
Are Scholarships for Women Taxable Income?
No. Scholarships are typically paid directly to an accredited university, so they won’t be taxed.
-
How Many Scholarships Can You Get?
Generally, there is no specific rule on the number of scholarships you can get, so you should apply to as many scholarships as you can. However, under some scholarship conditions, you won’t be eligible to receive the award if you’re already receiving another scholarship.
Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.
