Scholarships and grants for women who want to return to school
With the rising cost of tuition, many women become
disheartened about going back to college. Motherhood, careers, and other
aspects of life often get in the way of earning a degree. What many don’t
realize is that there’s an abundance of grants available for women who are returning
to college. Even if you already have a degree but want to achieve a higher
level of education, there are grants available. The great thing about grants is
that they are essentially free money and do not have to be paid back. A grant
is a monetary award gifted by various private, corporate, and government
organizations, including universities. Our goal is to offer you resources and
information on scholarships
and student grants for school.
Where to Start
The process for obtaining grants and scholarships for women returning to college is generally the same, but the starting point can vary depending on your individual circumstances. Many companies offer scholarships and grants for women returning back to school, so one of the first places you should look is your workplace (if applicable). Ask them if they offer grants for women or just grants in general. Other places to scour for grants are local charities, organizations within the fields you are interested in, state and federal governments, and universities and colleges that you are interested in attending. These are effective places to start. If you need additional assistance, our research tools and services can help make the search process easier.
Federal Government Grants
Go to FAFSA.com and fill out a FAFSA form. It stands for
Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Every woman seeking financial aid for
school should do this. It’s easy to complete and you’ll be notified within
weeks concerning what you do and do not qualify for.
Universities and Colleges
For the colleges that you’re interested in, call or set up
appointments with financial advisors on staff because they can usually provide
you with paperwork that will include more financial aid options that you can
explore. Continuing education for women is of the utmost importance to higher
education establishments.
Charities
There are many charities that offer scholarships and grants
for women returning back to school. Local government offices have been known to
be a place where you can obtain lists and other information about what charity
organizations exist in your area. Note: typically grants for women from
charities are grouped into two different categories – women under 25 and women
over 35.
Employers
Employers can be some of the biggest supporters of
continuing education for women. Simply by being employed at your current
company, you may qualify for their grant opportunities. Especially if you want
to further your education in the field in which you already work, employers
have a great interest in your pursuit of higher education.
Field-Specific Organizations
Even if an organization is not part of your local community
or you aren’t an employee, don’t let that stop you from contacting them.
Corporations and organizations that work within your desired field may offer
grants for women who are working towards their degree in a particular field.
Additional Thoughts
Approach this process from multiple angles to maximize the
potential of receiving a reward. Considering things like the career you hope to
get, the degree you want, the company you work for, life situations (such as
disabilities, being a single parent, etc.), extracurricular activities, the
state you live in, and your minority status may help you discover different
types of grants you qualify for.
There are many grants that rarely get
awarded because no one applies. Applying for such grants can greatly increase
your chances of receiving free money to return to college. The application
process varies from grant to grant, but many of them are easy to apply for. Instead
of leaving money on the table, applying for grants can open up opportunities
and bring you closer to achieving your educational goals.
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