Women have many options for private grant funding for education. Career development grants are available from the American Association of University Women. The grants are worth up to $12,000 to women who hold degrees to continue their education or train in a different field. Executive Women International provides up to $2,500 in scholarships to adult students, such as single mothers, who face life challenges. Age proves to be an advantage when applying for the Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship. It provides $2,000 to low income women over the age of 35.
State departments of education offer many grant and scholarship opportunities. Though most are not specifically tailored toward women, they are a great source of financial aid. Connecticut residents can receive more than $8,000 a year from the CT Independent College Student Grant Program. Most states have similar programs for every type of student. Even if you don't want a traditional college degree, there may be a grant program that can assist you. Florida residents may qualify for the Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program. The grant helps students enrolled in certificate programs at community colleges.
There are several federal grants that women can also apply for. They are generally geared to assist low income students. The Pell Grant and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant are two of these. The amount of the award varies depending on many factors. If you attend school part time or for only one semester, the award may be reduced.
Grant applications are usually available on the web. Some can be completed via email or using an online form. Other grant benefactors require you to print and mail the application. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is also an important resource. The application is used to determine eligibility for both state and federal education aid programs.
Always remain mindful of deadlines when looking for grants and scholarships. You don't want to miss out on thousands of dollars because of a forgotten deadline. Additionally, a lot of grants are first-come, first-served so the earlier you apply, the better. Read the directions on the grant application carefully and follow them exactly. The application may contain some arbitrary instructions to ensure you can pay attention to directions. Online grant applications are especially prone to include unusual questions or requests.