The importance of female education to society is obvious. An educated woman promotes gender equality, better economies, and much more.
If the only thing standing between you and going back to school is finances. You’re in the right place.
We’ve compiled the top graduate scholarships for women in the U.S. If you want to go to grad school but aren’t sure how to pay for it. Start here!
50 Graduate Scholarships For Women
1. The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
The PD Soros Fellowships for New Americans aim to help 30 immigrants and/or the children of immigrants to the US pursue graduate degrees in the U.S. Candidates must be naturalized US citizens or be granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
2. Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Graduate Scholarship
The NCAA awards $10,000 to 13 ethnic minorities and 13 female college graduates who will be entering their initial year of graduate studies.
The applicant must be seeking admission or have been accepted into a sports administration or program that will help the applicant obtain a career in intercollegiate athletics, such as athletics administrator, coach, athletic trainer or a career that provides a direct service to intercollegiate athletics.
3. Erin Aaberg Givans Memorial Scholarship
This $5,000 graduate scholarship for women is available to full-time students pursuing a Master’s degree in public policy, public administration or public health at a California University, who plan to pursue a career in the field of children’s health policy/ health advocacy in California. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in college (preference will go to 3.5 or better).
4. Women In Defense Scholarship
This scholarship is for those interested in a career in the areas of national security or defense. Applicant must be a female currently enrolled or expected to be enrolled at an accredited university or college by the next academic semester, either full-time or part-time.
Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.25.
AWWA and its members recognize the importance of investing in students as the future of the water industry. AWWA supports students by offering more than 17 scholarships.
6. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships provides yearly support of up to $42,000 per student for those who are pursuing or intend to pursue a master’s or doctoral-level degree in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology—this can include, but is not limited to, ocean and/or coastal: engineering, social science, marine education, marine stewardship, and resource management disciplines. Must have a 3.3 GPA or higher and maintain full-time student status
Google offers a number of graduate scholarships for women and travel scholarships, both aiming to support and inspire women pursuing careers in technology.
8. AAUW Research Publication Grant
This grant is open to women scholars conducting basic research in engineering, medicine, or the physical or biological sciences and who have a doctorate degree in one of those fields. The award is $10,000-$35,000.
9. Women Band Directors International Scholarship
This scholarship supports women enrolled in a university music curriculum pursuing a degree in music education with the intention of becoming a band director.
10. Kerri Castellini Women’s Leadership Scholarship
Candidates must show strong leadership skills, as demonstrated by past and present educational, professional, and volunteer experiences. Qualifying degrees include associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees, business school degrees, medical degrees, or law degrees. Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. The winner will earn a $1,000 scholarship towards her educational pursuits.
11. Future Teachers of America Scholarship
Students are eligible to apply if they are a high school, undergraduate, or graduate students with plans of becoming a teacher. To apply, write about why you are passionate about becoming a teacher. The award amount is up to $500.
12. AAUW Career Development Grants
Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education, health and medical sciences, or social sciences.
Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Funding is between $2,000–$12,000.
This scholarship aims to motivate talented students to follow their dreams and invest in higher education. All students are eligible to apply for this scholarship. To apply, you’ll need to write about your talents and how you practice be to as skilled as possible. The award amount is up to $500.
This scholarship supports and encourages women to study International Trade and Global Development. The $1,500 award will be based on the quality of the assigned essay and the applicant’s demonstrated interest in international trade.
15. Taylor Coleman’s “More than a Conqueror” Scholarship Award
This scholarship helps female undergraduate or graduate students who are sophomores or higher, are attending accredited two or four-year colleges full-time, have GPAs of at least 3.0, are majoring in science, health science, or creative arts, and are diagnosed with an autoimmune disease may apply for this scholarship. The award amount is up to $500.
16. Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship
The Foundation will offer five Education Support Awards of up to $5000 each to assist low-income women with children who are pursuing education or training.
Applicant must be a woman, at least 17 years of age; a mother with minor children; and pursuing a first professional/master’s/doctoral degree.
17. Paybotic Women in Finance and Technology Scholarship
This scholarship helps any female-identifying undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited US institution who is pursuing a STEM-related field may apply for this scholarship. The award amount is up to $2,500 per recipient.
18. WISE Scholarship
The WISE Scholarship is open to female Washington residents pursuing education in a STEM field. Washingtonian women interested in a career in a STEM field are welcome to apply for the $3,500 scholarship.
The Chronic Boss Scholarship seeks to offer graduate scholarships for women with autoimmune disorders who have preserved and succeeded.
This scholarship is geared towards women who have an entrepreneurial spirit, whether that is in launching an initiative, a campaign, a startup, a blog, starting a club, organizing a fundraiser, or other endeavor. The award amount is up to $1,000 per recipient.
20. National Pathfinder Scholarship
This award is open to women seeking undergraduate or graduate degrees. Undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well as students enrolled in a master’s degree program, are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
This scholarship supports college students who have an interest in insurance as a career/field of study. The program awards four $2,000 scholarships annually to selected recipients.
All applicants must have declared his/her major course work to be in the field of Insurance, Actuarial Science, Economics, Finance, Management, Mathematics, Risk Management, Statistics, or a Business-related field.
Applicants must have completed the equivalent of at least two (2) years of full-time college course-work, earned fifty percent (50%) of credit hours required for graduation, or have completed an Associate degree from an accredited educational institution. Must have a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.00.
22. Colorado Women’s Education Foundation Scholarship
The CWEF’s mission is to invest in women who are transforming their lives through education. Applicants must be a woman who is at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Colorado for at least 12 months before the application deadline.
Applicants need to be accepted and enrolled in accredited higher education institutions and be seeking vocational certifications or an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. The award amount is up to $2,000.
This scholarship is available for women students and early professionals pursuing a tech career in game development. Applicants to the WomenIn Scholarship must identify as women intending to pursue a career in the technical aspect of video games including art, animation, programming, and engineering. The award amount is up to $2,500.
The fund offers scholarships for women, preferably Jewish, who wish to pursue a graduate degree. Applicants must have a hometown or attend school in the Greater Philadelphia area, including New Jersey and Delaware. Award ranges between $2,000 – $8,000.
25. National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) Scholarships
Each year, NWSA in coordination with different NWSA caucuses offers multiple awards to students of all backgrounds. Applications will be accepted online during the application submission process.
26. Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship
This program provides one-year scholarships of $1,500 or $3,000 to several women graduating high school or already enrolled in college in any year of study, including graduate school.
Scholarships are paid directly to the recipient’s school and are applied toward tuition. Applicants must identify as a lesbian woman.
27. CREW Network Foundation College Scholarships
The CREW Network Foundation scholarship program supports female students as they pursue university-level education that will lead to careers in commercial real estate.
They grant 30 $5,000 academic scholarships annually. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be a citizen of the United States or Canada.
28. EFWA Graduate Scholarships
The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting awards several scholarships for women. Applicants must be female, US citizens, and attending accredited US schools pursuing an accounting degree.
29. ASPIRE HIGHER Today’s Woman Scholar Awards
The ASPIRE HIGHER Scholarship Program offers several scholarships helping students affected by dermatologic conditions. This award is for students who are mothers pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or vocational/technical degrees. The award amount is up to $10,000.
30. National Black Nurses Association Scholarship Program
The National Black Nurses Association offers various scholarships each year. Applicants must be a member of NBNA and a member of a local chapter (if one exists in your area). If a chapter does not exist within a 50-radius of your location you can join NBNA as a Direct Member.
Candidate must be currently enrolled in a nursing program (B.S.N., A.D., Diploma or L.P.N./ L.V.N. Masters, and Doctoral) and in good standing at the time of application. Applicant must have at least one full year of school remaining.
31. The Association for Women Geoscientists Chrysalis Scholarship
The Chrysalis Scholarship provides degree-completion funding for women geoscience graduate students whose education has been significantly interrupted by life circumstances.
32. Chicana Latina Foundation Scholarship Program
The Chicana Latina Foundation awards merit-based scholarships valued at $1500 to 30-40 powerful Latina students each year. Applicants must self-identify as a Chicana and/or Latina and be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or community college in California counties.
Graduate students must be enrolled graduate/professional students completing course/thesis/dissertation, or have been accepted into graduate/profession school; and a cumulative GPA of 2.7 for college coursework.
33. Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship
The scholarship is open to students at any educational level and field of study. The only application requirement is that students are women who intend to enter a technical or non-technical career that leverages technology to make the world a better place.
34. Financial Women of San Francisco Scholarship
The FWSF Scholarship Fund provides graduate and undergraduate scholarships to San Francisco Bay Area women pursuing careers in the fields of accounting, finance and /or the financial services industry. Must be enrolled at a college or university in the Bay Area (CA).
35. Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarships
This program is open to students that are pursuing, or plan to pursue, a degree with a focus on cybersecurity or information assurance. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.3. Must identify as a woman or nonbinary.
36. Society for Women Engineers Scholarships
SWE Scholarships support those who identify as a woman and pursue an ABET-accredited bachelor or graduate student program in preparation for careers in engineering, engineering technology, and computer science globally. Applicants must be planning to attend full time.
37. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Scholarships
The CHCI offers graduate scholarships for women that identify as Latino. Selection is based on leadership qualities and financial need. The award amount is up to $5,000 per recipient.
The AWMF/NCTA scholarship allows a female communications/media undergraduate or graduate student to create an original piece (essay, digital short, video, animation, multi-media or other concept chosen by the student) that will be featured in NCTA and AWMF media distribution channels. The recipient will also receive a scholarship of $5,000.
39. Ford Emerging Voices Scholarship
The “Emerging Voices” Scholarship asks scholarship applicants to create a video or audio piece, focusing on the importance of women’s voices in media. Winners receive one $5,000 scholarship made payable directly to the student’s educational institute in the name of Ford Motor Company Fund for the 2022 fall academic semester.
40. Loreen Arbus Foundation & AWMF Scholarship
The Loreen Arbus Foundation and the Alliance for Women in Media Scholarship provides a female communications/media undergraduate or graduate student with a scholarship to their educational institution for $2,500 and a ticket to attend an upcoming AWM event.
41. (ISC)² Graduate Scholarships
The (ISC)² Graduate Scholarship Program helps grad students that need funding to conduct special research projects or assistance with tuition and fees. You must be pursuing, or plan to pursue, a degree with a focus on cybersecurity or information assurance. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.3. to be considered. Up to 20 scholarships will be awarded. Each scholarship award will be between $1,000 – $5,000.
42. Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Scholar Awards
These scholarships are reserved for women who are nominated by a local chapter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization, who are citizens of the U.S. or Canada, and who are within two years of completing a doctoral degree. Must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university.
43. American Indian Graduate Center Aerospace Career Enhancement
The Aerospace Career Enhancement (ACE) Scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited institution within Washington state’s public higher education systems.
Applicants must have declared a major in engineering and other high-demand degrees that support professional and technical careers in the aerospace industry and be planning to enter a professional or technical career in the aerospace industry upon graduation.
The program will award two scholarships in the amount of $5,000 per academic year.
The American Physical Society (APS) awards fellowships for graduate work in science, with preference given to women and minority candidates.
45. Graduate Women in Science Fellowships
The Graduate Women In Science (GWIS) National Fellowship Program promotes knowledge in the natural and social sciences and encourages women’s academic and professional careers in the sciences.
Awards will be made to women who hold a degree from a recognized institution of higher learning, who demonstrate outstanding ability and promise in research and are performing hypothesis-driven research at any institution in the U.S. or abroad.
46. American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Scholarship
This graduate scholarship for women is open to nursing students who have not yet been licensed. The award is offered twice a year to cover tuition costs for one semester of nursing school.
47. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Fellowships
NASA’s Fellowships aimed to support master’s degree and PhD students who are pursuing work in the areas of applied physical sciences, including Earth systems research, heliophysics, planetary science, and astrophysics.
48. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
This award is open to women of any age, pursuing a business program with major field of specialization in accounting, economics, finance, business management, marketing, operations management, human resources management, international business, or entrepreneurship at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field. Online students are also eligible to apply if enrolled at an accredited university/college/institute.
49. Judith McManus Price Scholarship
The Judith McManus Price Scholarship is funded by the American Planning Association and offers financial support to minority women who are pursuing graduate degrees in urban planning and demonstrate financial need. The award amounts range from $2,000 to $4,000.
50. College Art Association Professional Development Fellowship
The College Art Association offers financial support to artists and art historians pursuing graduate degrees. The awards amount is up to $5,000. Applicants must be women in the second to last year of their graduate program.
Must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States and demonstrate outstanding artistic ability and a unique contribution to the visual arts.
51. Boom & Bucket’s Student Scholarship Program
This scholarship offers a $1,000 award each year to a student pursuing a heavy machinery-focused program. It’s available to both currently enrolled students and future students who are planning to attend a program within the next 12 months. The program can be at a college or a trade school anywhere in the United States or Canada.
To be considered, you must write a 500+ word essay or record a 2-minute video explaining who you are and what makes you excited about the heavy equipment space.
Getting Started
If going to grad school is what you want to do. Don’t let anything stop you. Including finances. We’ll keep this list updated for you. Make sure to check back for more graduate scholarships for women!
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