Search for federal grants, such as TRIO, for women that would otherwise never be able to attend college, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Anyone seeking federal financial aid for college must fill out a FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, by Jan. 31 annually. Applications can be found at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Search for state grants. Many individual states may offer grants, such as the CalGrant for California residents, available at http://www.csac.ca.go
Search for private foundations that may offer grants to women, such as American Association of University Women, which offers its members more than 200 fellowship and grant opportunities to promote "equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research."
Search for corporate grants such as Talbots Inc., which awarded 10 $15,000 scholarships and one $30,000 Nancy Talbot Scholarship Award in 2010.
Search for state universities, which sometimes offer scholarships to women, such as the Mildred B. Erickson Fellowship, which was "designed for nontraditional domestic students who have had to interrupt their degree studies . . . and can demonstrate financial need." The scholarship pays part of her tuition for up to three semesters at Michigan State University, according to the Women's Resource Center and online at http://wrc.msu.edu/erickson_fellowship.php.
Research grant databases online, such as FundsNet Women's Grants and Resources at www.fundsnetservices.com/women.htm. Some databases charge a monthly fee to use, and some are specific to women.