Women who want to achieve higher education and who may also face financial disadvantages can take advantage of women education grants. There are many sources to obtain financial aid grants and scholarships. The government is the largest provider of education grants to women, but private organizations, corporations, unions, universities and colleges also provide education grants to women as well.
Finding Grant Opportunities
The financial aid office at the university or college you are interested in attending is the best resource for finding financial aid and women education grant opportunities. The school may also offer their own educational grants. A financial aid counselor can direct students with their search and finding the most appropriate financial aid. However, it is up to each individual to aggressively search out the opportunities that are most relevant to their education and areas of interests. Grants for women’s education are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Most grants are either based upon financial needs and/or merit.
The school’s website generally has links to current federal, state and private education grants opportunities to help students in their grant search efforts. The most popular women education grants are Pell Grants. Students must demonstrate a financial need by providing financial information and meeting other requirements. For more information about Pell Grants, students can visit the government’s website and apply online at: (https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/fafsa?locale=en_US). There are also additional grant opportunities available to students of military families, minorities, disabled women, vocational grants for nursing, health care, medicine, science, teaching, math, law and other areas of studies.
Grants are free and do not have to be paid back to the grantor. The exception to this may be if the applicant fails to complete a course or fails to maintain the required academic standards. The amount of awards varies and may depend on the student’s financial needs, area of study and academic standing. Grants are available for persons who are returning to college after raising a family or have been displaced. The Emerge Scholarship Fund is one such organization that provides funds for women who have experienced interruptions in their college education and want to finish their degrees.
One of the largest donors of educational funds is the American Association of University Women, which offers scholarships and fellowships through its five programs to graduate women though its non-profit and corporate donors. By providing more than $4.3 million, the organization is able to help women with their studies. The Harry. S. Truman Foundation offers merit based scholarships for persons who are interested in public service. There are other numerous organizations that provide grants to women for their education as well.
Usage of Education Grant Funds
Grant funds must be use for educational expenses which may include tuition, books, living expenses and other educational related expenses. Education grants for women are paid directly to the college or university, and excess amounts are refunded directly to grantee. Grants are limited, and three is a lot of competition so it is advisable that students submit applications early. There is no limit to the number of education grants for women that one can apply for. Since there is no guarantee that the grant will be approved, most applicants apply to multiple grants to secure grant funds for their education.
Grantors recognize women’s talents and abilities, and they are interested in rewarding their efforts by providing grants. Women education grants give a variety of women from different social, ethnic and economic backgrounds the opportunity to pursue higher education and further their goals. Without the grants, many women may not be able to reach their potentials. Grants play an important role in educating women.