March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the strides women have made in education. Over the years, they have overcome significant barriers to not only attend college but also create institutions that welcome diverse student bodies. However,
challenges remain, including financial hurdles and shifting policies that impact access to education.
Fortunately, numerous private organizations continue to support women through scholarships that help make higher education more accessible. Below are several scholarships designed to assist students in achieving their academic goals.
Jeanette Rankin Foundation
Since 1978, the Jeanette Rankin Foundation has awarded over 1,800 grants totaling more than $5.2 million to women and nonbinary students. The foundation offers three main scholarships:
National Scholar Grant: Available to students aged 35 and older who demonstrate financial need.
Emerge Scholar Grant: For students in Georgia and Montana aged 25 and older.
National Tribal College Scholar Grant: Open to students aged 25 and older attending a tribal college.
Applications typically open in the winter and require two letters of recommendation.
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
SWE has been financially supporting female students since 1956. Today, the organization awards more than 250 scholarships annually, totaling over $1 million, to students pursuing careers in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Scholarships vary based on school year and location
Awards are primarily merit-based, though some are need-based on a case-by-case basis.
Girl Up
Girl Up offers scholarships to female students, including cisgender and transgender individuals, to support them in fields where women are underrepresented.
Each scholarship provides $2,500 per recipient
Applications typically open in the fall
Scholarship funds go directly to the recipient’s college or university.
Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA)
EFWA provides scholarships, mentorship, and resources to female students pursuing accounting degrees.
Scholarships are available for associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students.
The application opens in January and closes on March 30.
Students may apply for multiple scholarships if they meet eligibility requirements.
The Sunflower Initiative
Since 2010, The Sunflower Initiative has supported female students attending historically women’s colleges. Eligible applicants include:
Graduating high school seniors
Students returning to college after a gap year
Women who started college but left before completing their first semester
Dual enrollment students who took college courses while in high school
Applications open in November and close in early February. Competitive applicants typically have a GPA of 3.7 or higher and strong standardized test scores.
Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a college or university.
Beyond these programs, many professional societies and associations offer scholarships to support women and nonbinary students in higher education. If you or someone you know is seeking financial assistance for college, explore these opportunities and
apply before their deadlines. Education should be accessible to all, regardless of gender identity or socioeconomic status.
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