Many women over 40 find themselves ready for a career advancement or for a career in an entirely different field. It’s not uncommon for a lot of women to spend their 20s and 30s raising children at home or having a more flexible job to fit with busy schedules, and by the time they are in their 40s they are ready to focus on themselves and their professional goals. Or, for the woman who has spent her years climbing up the corporate ladder, she may be ready to advance her position even further and pursue an advanced degree beyond what she already attained. Regardless of your circumstances, there are many scholarships available for women over 40 in order to assist you with your financial needs in order to make obtaining higher education a breeze. Whether you are going to college for the first time or for the first time in a while, we have the scholarships for you.
Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Midlife Women
The Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Midlife Women was founded by the National Council of Jewish Women- Los Angeles for mature women who are looking to continue their education or re-enter college in order to learn a marketable skill. The NCJW/LA Scholarship Program was created to help people who are trying to improve their lives after some sort of challenge or setback. Many of their scholarship recipients have been victims of domestic violence, single mothers and fathers, or even first generation college students. Since the Scholarship Program was started in 1987, it has provided more than 260 scholarships totaling over $340,000.
In order to qualify for this award, you must be attending school in the Greater Los Angeles and you must be over the age of 35. This Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Midlife Women is only for residents in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Ventura Counties and can be granted whether you are single or married, with or without children, and no matter what year of schooling your are in. It is a $1,000 scholarship and is sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women- Los Angeles. In order to be considered for this award, you must submit an essay about your goals and how you intend to achieve them as well as provide proof of financial need. To find more information about The Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Midlife Women, or to begin the application process, visit their official website.
The AARP Foundation Women’s Scholarship Program
The AARP Foundation was founded to help assist senior citizens in various aspects of their lives in order to be their most successful selves. It does this by providing direct assistance, such as food, clothing, and shelter, legal advocacy, standing up for older individuals in the court systems, and by raising awareness of the challenges and circumstances that senior adults face in our society. The AARP Foundation Women’s Scholarship Program was created in order to help women ages 50 and up in order to take back their power and contribute to the financial and educational stability of their family. It’s purpose is to provide opportunities for funding education, training, and skills upgrades that can help low-income women gain better employment as well as higher positions in their current career situations.
In order to qualify for The AARP Foundation Women’s Scholarship Program, you must be a woman that is age 50 or over by the time the application period begins. You must be pursuing a technical or vocational education, or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. You must be enrolled in said school and it has to be an accredited institution by the U.S. Department of Education. You must demonstrate significant financial need as determined by the Federal Poverty Guidelines. To find more information about The AARP Foundation Women’s Scholarship Program, or to begin the application process, visit their official website.
The AAUW Career Development Grants Program
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) originally designed their career development grants to encourage and support women to continue their education or pursue career advancement. If you are a woman looking to make a career change, then this is the perfect scholarship for you. In order to be eligible for The AAUW Career Development Grants Program, you must already hold a bachelor’s degree and be looking to pursue a field of study that is different than your original degree. You must be planning to participate in courses that will apply to career advancement, a certification program, or another professional degree. These awards vary in amounts and can be applied for tuition, books, fees, and supplies. In order to find out more information about The AAUW Career Development Grants Program, as well as other unique opportunities, check out their official website.