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.