You may be wondering where to look for scholarships for women over 40. Rest assured that you are not alone and we are here to help! Unlike men, there are many obstacles in women’s road to get their degree. Some women had to give up their dreams to get a degree to take care of their family, while some other had to nurse their children.
Being a wife and a mother is a difficult task indeed. It’s a full time job and it is often that women have fewer responsibilities after they are in their 40s. That is why there are many women who decide to pursue their degree when they have relatively free time.
Another good reason is to have better job opportunities. These days, most of the jobs in United States require an undergraduate degree. Therefore, getting a degree is definitely one of the best ways to achieve better career, which leads to better financial condition for their family. Last but not least, by having a degree, you increase your self esteem and confidence in your social life.
Scholarships for Women Over 40 Foundation
For many women over 40, pursuing new career paths or achieving educational aspirations is a significant desire. Often, these women have dedicated decades of their lives to raising children, managing household responsibilities, and even working outside the home. Consequently, their dreams of completing college may have been sidelined.
Scholarships specifically tailored for women over 40 offer a valuable opportunity to return to school without the burden of hefty loans. These scholarships provide free financial assistance, enabling women to reignite their professional ambitions. As their children grow older, women find themselves presented with a golden opportunity to prioritize self-care and pursue personal goals, ultimately laying the foundation for a future aligned with their aspirations.
AAUW Career Development
AAUW stands for the American Association of University Women, and they have been helping many women to get better education through various programs, including through grants and scholarships. The award amount varies greatly, from $2,000 to $12,000. You have to enroll in a 2-year or 4-year program at an accredited college, university or technical school. The fund you get can be used to cover your school tuition, books, supplies and other education-related expenses. Interestingly, you can use the money you get to cover your child care and local transportation, because these two are indirectly related to your education.
The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting Scholarships
http://www.efwa.org/
This foundation is focused on motivating women who are pursuing undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degree in accounting. The scholarships are available for women who provide main income for the family, regardless of their age. This means that women over 40 are also eligible to apply. There are two scholarship programs available, which are the Women in Need (WIN) scholarship and Women in Transition (WIT) scholarship.
The WIN scholarship will give you $2,000 per year for two years; while the WIT scholarship will provide $16,000 in the course of four years. There are several requirements that have to be fulfilled, to get complete information on this scholarship opportunity you should make a call to 937-424-3391 or visit their official site, available in our reference section below this post.
Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards Program
http://www.soroptimist.org/
This scholarship opportunity is available for women who are from Soroptimist’s member countries. This means that this scholarship is not exclusive for United States citizen. The organization is a big organization consisted of women professionals and businesswomen, which has bases in 28 countries including U.S, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Taiwan and Venezuela.
The award amount varies greatly, depending on the country you’re coming from, but the base amount is $5,000.
Federal Pell Grant
Many returning or older students might not realize they can apply for federal grants like the Pell Grant, regardless of their age. However, there are a few exceptions, such as if you’re in prison or have a certain criminal history. Generally, if you’re an undergraduate student working toward your first bachelor’s or professional degree, you could be eligible for Pell Grant funds.
Some students pursuing teacher certification after earning their bachelor’s degree may also qualify. The maximum amount you could receive for the 2023–24 school year is $7,395, depending on factors like your financial need, enrollment status, and whether you’re attending school full-time or part-time. Pell Grant recipients can receive the grant for up to 12 semesters, and the money might go directly to your school, to you, or a combination of both. To apply, you’ll need to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Go go! Grant
Go go! Grant is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in the Coachella Valley, California, through educational grants and emotional support. Since its inception in 2006, the organization has disbursed over $700,000 in grants to more than 180 women.
To qualify for these grants, applicants must be at least 25 years old. Also, they must show financial need, and possess a strong commitment to pursuing education for career advancement. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the organization’s website for further information. The deadlines for grant applications are December 15th and June 15th annually.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Another federal grant option that women over 40 may qualify for is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Unlike some grants, FSEOG is based on financial need rather than age. The goal is to assist low-income undergraduate students in covering the costs of higher education.
With over 3,800 participating postsecondary educational institutions, this grant prioritizes students with the greatest need, typically those with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFCs) and recipients of the Federal Pell Grant. Institutions apply annually for FSEOG allocation by submitting a Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) to the United States Department of Education.
The grant will spend the fund by using a formula, with institutions contributing 25 percent of the award amounts. To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available at studentaid.gov.
LEAP Grants
Another valuable resource that older students might not be aware of is the LEAP Grants program. These need-based grants offer an excellent opportunity to finance higher education while also gaining valuable work experience. Funded by the Federal government and administered by states, LEAP grants provide community service and work-study assistance to eligible postsecondary students.
Each state has a single agency responsible for managing the program, ensuring it meets specific criteria. To learn more about LEAP Grants and explore potential opportunities in your local area, visit the website https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/programs/leapgrants.html or conduct a simple online search.
I hope you get enough information about these scholarships for women over 40!
Reference :
- AAUW Career Development : aauw.org
- The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting Scholarships : efwa.org
- Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards Program : soroptimist.org
- Image : blog.riosalado.edu
- https://scholarshipsandgrants.us/women/over-40/
