Scholarships for Women
Looking for scholarships as an online female student? Continue reading for our comprehensive guide of opportunities that are specifically available to you!
Aug 26, 2016 | By Johanna Sorrentino
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), women accounted for the majority of college students in 2015. In fact, there were about 11.5 million female students compared with 8.7 million male students. However, even though men make up less of the college population, their ability to win scholarships is about the same as that of women, according to Mark Kantrowitz, author of the book "Secrets to Winning a Scholarship". That's not to say, however, that scholarships for women are not out there. In fact, according to a scholarship study by NerdScholar, there are four times as many scholarships specifically earmarked for women as there are for men. So, what are the online college scholarship opportunities available to you? Here is our comprehensive list of scholarships for women:
Although some scholarships are specific to ethnic background or field of study, the following scholarships are general enough to apply to most women looking for help with college funding.
Formerly known as the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, this organization offers scholarships to low-income women ages 35 and over.
This women's organization, founded in 1869, offers several educational scholarships to advance the careers of women. Its STAR scholarship awards $2,500 to high school seniors in the U.S. and Canada who meet certain age and academic requirements.
P.E.O. believes that the key to world peace is education, which is why it also offers scholarships to women, specifically ones who are international students pursuing a graduate-level education in the U.S. or Canada.
This organization offers scholarships for women who hold bachelor's degrees and are preparing to advance or change their careers.
AAU also offers scholarships for women pursuing a graduate or postdoctoral degree and who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
Although support has grown for programs that expose girls to the field of science, just 28 percent of the world's researchers are women, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. These scholarships aim to combat those figures by supporting women's entry into the sciences and also their continued education in their chosen field.
This industry organization offers this scholarship in the name of particle physicist M. Hildred Blewett. At Blewett's request, this scholarship focuses on women whose physics research careers were interrupted for family or other commitments.
This award recognizes outstanding achievement by a woman physicist early in her career, allowing her to give lectures in her field of physics.
This scholarship focuses on master's and doctoral students studying all scientific disciplines involving ocean and coastal areas.
This organization offers a scholarship in memory of Dorothy Skinner who was a scientist and advocate of women in science. The award recognizes women Ph.D. students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and show high potential for excellence in research. It provides travel support for women Ph.D. students in order for them to present their research.
This organization created this scholarship to help raise awareness to the contributions of women divers. Scientific diving is a key component of undersea exploration. Scholarships are offered to women studying dive medicine, marine conservation, marine biology, underwater archaeology, marine education, journalism, graphic arts or photography.
Of all the science fields, women are most underrepresented in the field of engineering. According to the National Girls Collaborative Project, only 19 percent of women studying science choose to focus on engineering. That's why scholarships such as these exist – to give minority engineers a leg up.
This organization offers scholarships for women who are studying engineering, computer science or a related field at an ABET-accredited institution.
Clare Boothe Luce, the widow of Henry R. Luce, bequested funding that would "encourage women to enter, study, graduate and teach" in science, mathematics and engineering. Grants are made directly to four-year, degree-granting institutions.
This program is for women pursuing an undergraduate or master's degree who are majoring in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Applications for the fall are open in January of the same year. Applicants are asked to write an essay of 500–800 words in length.
This industry organization offers scholarships to female undergraduates entering their junior year of a four-year ABET-accredited engineering program. Applicants will be asked to write a 500-word essay on their engineering career goals and aspirations.
Active members of Women in Aviation International are eligible to apply to several scholarships for women training to become aerospace engineers, such as the United Airlines Tech Ops Women in Aviation Scholarship. This program offers two scholarships of $1,500 each to women currently enrolled in an aerospace/aeronautical engineering program.
A 2014 Catalyst Census reported that women still hold only 4.2 percent of CEO positions at S&P 500 companies even though they make up nearly 50 percent of the global workforce. This is why many organizations with a focus on equality in the business world are offering scholarships with the aim of preparing women to bust through the glass ceiling.
This scholarship helps women pursue undergraduate and master's degrees in business management. Jane M. Klausman was a member of the Zonta Club, an international service organization that aims to advance the status of women. Applicants must first be nominated by their local Zonta Club.
These scholarships are for women pursuing their MBA at schools which host C200 Reachouts events. Candidates must display leadership skills, entrepreneurial spirit and integrity, as well as a commitment to giving back.
This organization works with specific businesses, such as the Blindsgalore, Soccerloo and 4MD, to offer financial aid that helps women pursue their careers in business environments. Scholarship applicants must enter an essay writing contest to be considered.
Despite a great need for workers in the tech industry, women only make up 26 percent of the computing workforce, according to the National Center for Women and Information Technology. Here are a few scholarships that can help fill the gap.
Formerly the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship Program, this scholarship is awarded to women who are planning to enter the computing and technology field. Applicants are determined based on the strength of their academic background and leadership skills.
In order to qualify for this scholarship, women undergraduates majoring in technical science must demonstrate character, conduct, integrity, academic achievement and scholastic aptitude, community involvement, and participation in extracurricular activities. Scholarship amounts vary.
Created in 2010, this scholarship program supports women beginning their careers in the tech field. Applicants are asked to submit a 500-word essay on a prompt related to the technology field.
This business offers scholarships for women enrolled in a Product Design, Interaction Design, UX Design or Computer Science degree program at the graduate or undergraduate level. Applicants are asked to write an essay about a female leader who inspires them.
This scholarship program aims to inspire women in the technology field. It is open to current undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields. Applicants are asked to submit a 30-second video that answers the question: "What is your dream career in tech and how do you plan to achieve it?"
If you are a woman pursuing an education, especially in a field that is underrepresented by women, look closely at the opportunities available to you. With a little research, self-reflection, and careful application writing, you may just score one of these scholarships that can put you on the path towards reaching your career goals.