Higher-Education Grants for Senior Women

Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Grant

• The ASIST grant, created by Executive Women International (EWI), is one of the leading higher-education grants designated specifically for female adult students. Awards are administered through local area chapters of EWI, so senior women wishing to apply must live in an area with a participating EWI chapter (see Resources for a list of participating chapters) and submit an application that includes an essay and recommendation form and communicates clear career goals.

  Connie Ross, ASIST Corporate Liaison
  Executive Women International
  515 South 700 East
  Salt Lake City, UT 84102
  (801) 355-2800
  executivewomen.org/

Jeanette Rankin Foundation Women’s Education Fund

• The Jeanette Rankin Foundation administers higher-education grants for low-income women ages 35 and older, which includes senior women as well as other adult students. Applicants must be seeking their first college degree, either an associate’s, technical, vocational or bachelor’s degree. Interested senior women can download the application online (see Resources) or obtain one through written request.

  Jeannette Rankin Foundation
  1 Huntington Rd.
  Athens, GA 30606
  (706) 208-1211
  rankinfoundation.org/
  [email protected]

American Business Women’s Association Scholarships

• The American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) also provides higher-education grants to women of any age who successfully complete the application and review process. Like the EWI grants, ABWA grants are administered through local chapters, so senior women wishing to apply must live within the jurisdiction of an ABWA chapter and contact their local office for details on scholarship opportunities and application processes.

  American Business Women's Association
  9100 Ward Parkway
  PO Box 8728
  Kansas City, MO 64114
  (816) 361-6621
  abwa.org/

Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Career Advancement Scholarships

• The Business and Professional Women’s Foundation routinely offers several higher-education grants to adult students through their Career Advancement Scholarships. The foundation updates scholarship availability annually, so senior women interested in seeking a funding should contact the national office for information on this year's Career Advancement Scholarship application process.

  Business and Professional Women's Foundation
  1900 M St. NW
  Washington, DC 20036
  (202) 293-1100
  bpwusa.org/

International Fellowship of University Women (IFUW)

• The IFUW and affiliate foundations offer multiple higher-education grants to women of any age enrolled in a variety of higher education programs. IFUW funding is reserved for post-graduate research fellowships for adult students in doctoral programs, while affiliate funding may be available for any age or education level.

  International Fellowship of University Women
  10 rue du Lac
  CH-1207
  Geneva, Switzerland
  011 (+41) 22 731 23 80
  ifuw.org/

Federal Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA)

• Federal Student Aid is administered through the office of the Department of Education. Senior women interested in applying for federal need-based higher-education grants or loans can fill out and submit online the FAFSA application (see Resources). Many institutional scholarships also require that applications submit the FAFSA application, which determines financial need.

Institutional Awards

• Senior women may also be eligible for a range of awards designated for female students, adult students, non-traditional students or other special student populations offered by individual institutions. Contact the institution’s financial aid office to inquire about any funds that may exist for assisting senior women in returning to college and completing a degree or participating in continuing education.