A Complete Guide to Scholarships For Women

Women comprise a majority of students at most colleges but they remain underrepresented in many high-paying fields. An abundance of scholarships and grants geared toward female students might help narrow this gap, especially those that are specific to certain areas of study, such as engineering or science.

Regardless of what field of study you want to pursue, if you are a woman seeking for ways to fund your education, you will probably find plenty of choices when choosing scholarships. Below you will find information to help you sort through your options with a comprehensive list of scholarships and grants for women and tips on how to apply and where to get started.

It can take some searching to find the scholarships that seem to be most worthwhile for you.

If you are currently in high school, mine the career center and school library for specialty resources and guides that can help you narrow down the universe of options to a manageable list. Career counselors and college financial aid officers often can direct you to specific websites, scholarship sources and information that might not be obvious via online search. Once you are accepted to a college, be sure to ask its financial aid staff about additional scholarships for current students. You can also check out the U.S. Department of Labor Grant Information page for more resources and additional scholarship options.

To maximize the amount of money you can get from scholarships you will have to apply for multiple awards. Be organized, strategic and smart.

First, create a list or chart of the best bets, the deadlines for those scholarship applications, and the unique criteria for each. Prioritize them according to how much each organization gives to students like you. Spend the most time, effort and creativity on the richest scholarships, and pace your energy and time for the others accordingly.

To maximize your time get all your paperwork in order ahead of time. That means gathering transcripts, test scores, achievement awards, references and letters of recommendation.

Don't forget to build in reminders on your calendar about deadlines, giving yourself plenty of time to complete the applications, write essays, edit the essays, and to have someone else proofread them. Don't wait until the last minute: websites sometimes crash under the crush of applicants rushing for the deadline.

Remember that the bigger the prize, the greater the competition. Expect that many other well-qualified students will also be going for the same scholarships. Sometimes, the details make all the difference. Make sure that you have complied with all the technical requirements of the application; have a friend or teacher edit and proof your essay and cover letter; and polish your writing to make a strong first – and lasting – impression.

Letters of recommendation can be a tipping factor. While you can't put words on other people's letters, you can work with your recommenders to craft a truthful and positive message about what you've done and where you are headed.

First, line up several potential recommenders. Ask them only for recommendations for scholarships relevant to your experience with them. For instance, ask science instructors for recommendations for science scholarships, and nonprofit leaders for letters relating to your volunteer experience with their organizations. The better the match, the most sincere and relevant the letter.

Additional tips for eliciting warm, on-point recommendations:

• Ask early. Many recommenders receive numerous requests.
• Help them help you. Provide details about what the scholarship is for, what the decision criteria are, and why you believe you are a good candidate.
• Include dates and details that help your recommender be specific. For example, in your request, remind your recommender that you were a camp counselor in the summer of 2019 and that she had asked you to be the lead counselor and volleyball coach for the summer of 2020.
• Include highlights of your career goals.
• Add your complete contact information.

Scholarships are a start, but you'll find many additional sources of funds to cover tuition, living expenses, and fees.

College grants typically are based on financial need more than on academic performance or extracurricular activities. Just like there are many different types of scholarships, there is also a slew of grants. Grants are given from the Federal and State governments, public and private organizations, and professional organizations. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for college grants.

Tuition reimbursement by employers. Many companies will pay for some or all of their employees' college studies if the subjects are directly related to the employees' jobs. Before you commit to a college program, check with your company's benefits department to make sure you understand all the conditions for tuition reimbursement.

Tax credits, under some circumstances, can lower your college bills. For instance, the American Opportunity Credit can offset up to $2,500 in college expenses for some students. The Lifetime Learning Credit can provide some students with a $2,000 credit, which can be used for post-secondary education and for classes to improve job skills. Student loan Interest deductions might offset some of the cost of student loans. As with all tax credits, be sure to check with a tax professional so that you claim all that you can without counting on credits that are not relevant to your situation.

Review your monthly budget and spending for ways to save money. Some common student expenses, such as credit cards, car insurance and loans, and renters insurance, should be reviewed for cost-saving measures. You can improve your credit and keep credit card spending on budget with a secured or student credit card; refinance your current auto loan or estimate a new payment; discuss student and good driver discounts with your current car insurance company or shop around for new car insurance and renters insurance to find savings.

Mark Kantrowitz is a nationally-recognized expert on student financial aid, scholarships and student loans offers. Here are some tips from Mark on how to succeed in your scholarship applications.

Source: American Progress, Whitehouse.gov