Top 10 Scholarships for Women

College costs have increased more than 25% in the last decade. Yikes! And rising tuition fees can put higher education out of reach — especially for female students — dashing any hope of becoming a girl boss. 

Enter scholarships. 

Securing a college scholarship can make or break a woman’s path to higher education. Scholarships for women increase access to higher education while reducing the financial burden placed on students. Win-win.

Here are 10 scholarships dedicated to financially empowering women and girls.

Number 1: Women in Architecture Scholarship 

Award: $2,500

Deadline: March 31, 2021

How to apply: Submit an application to the Women in Architecture Scholarship

Eligibility: Students pursuing architecture or architectural engineering

For all the ladies who want to work in the architectural field, we have a scholarship for you! The Women in Architecture scholarship sponsored by Houzz is committed to supporting and encouraging female architecture students as they pursue their educational endeavors and enter the world of residential design. Students studying architecture or architectural engineering are eligible to apply.

Number 2: MPOWER Financing Women in STEM Scholarship

Award: $500-$3,000

Deadline: July 20, 2021

How to apply: Submit an application to the MPOWER Financing Women in STEM Scholarship

Eligibility: International or DACA students pursuing a STEM degree

Here’s an opportunity for women in STEM! The MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship awards three international or DACA female students who are studying STEM in the United States or Canada. Applicants must submit an essay. Two honorable mentions will receive $1,000 and $500, and one grand prize winner will receive $3,000 for educational expenses.

Number 3: Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarships

Award: $1,000-$2,500

Deadline: January 2, 2022

How to apply: Submit an application to the Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarships

Eligibility: Students who are soldiers, veterans, or their lineal descendants

The Army Women’s Foundation provides financial assistance to women pursuing higher education through community college, an undergraduate or graduate college, or a certificate program. Applicants must be an active soldier, veteran, or a lineal descendant.

Number 4: Amber Huber Memorial Scholarship

Award: Varies

Deadline: February 1, 2022

How to apply: Submit an application to the Amber Huber Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors attending Byron High School in Illinois

This Memorial Scholarship honors the life of Amber Huber, a former student of Byron High School in Illinois. Applicants must be graduating female seniors who participated in track and/or cheerleading for at least three seasons. Applicants must also show high academic achievement, including a minimum 2.0 GPA. To apply, submit a statement answering why you’re the best candidate for the award. For more information about Amber Huber and the scholarship, visit the website. The scholarship amount varies and is renewable for up to four years.

Number 5: KnowBe4 Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship 

Award: $10,000

Deadline: February 22, 2022

How to apply: Submit an application to the KnowBe4 Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship

Eligibility: Students pursuing cybersecurity or information assurance

Interested in securing a scholarship and an internship? The KnowBe4 Women in Cybersecurity scholarship provides women in the cybersecurity field with $10,000 toward tuition, fees, and books, as well as a paid internship at the KnowBe4 corporate office in Clearwater, Florida. Female students are eligible if they are pursuing or plan to pursue a degree with a focus on cybersecurity or information assurance.

Number 6: Jeannette Rankin Scholarship 

Award: $2,000

Deadline: February 26, 2022

How to apply: Submit an application to the Jeannette Rankin Scholarship

Eligibility: Women age 35 or older

The Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund aims to make higher education accessible to older women who are returning to college or enrolling for the first time. The scholarship is awarded to women who have a vision of how higher education will benefit themselves, their household, and their community. Applicants must be women, aged 35 and older, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and from a low-income household.

Number 7: Red Thread Foundation Scholarship

Award: $1,000

Deadline: February 26, 2022

How to apply: Submit an application to the Red Thread Foundation Scholarship

Eligibility: International students

Are you a woman with an international background? You’re in luck — the Red Thread Foundation for Women offers an annual scholarship open to immigrants, first-gen students, and foreign students. Applicants must submit two essays, several short-answer prompts, and two letters of recommendation. No GPA needed.

Number 8: General Federation of Women’s Clubs Massachusetts Scholarships

Award: Varies

Deadline: March 1, 2022

How to apply: Submit applications to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Massachusetts Scholarships

Eligibility: Students residing in Massachusetts

Are you a legal resident of Massachusetts? The General Federation of Women’s Clubs in Massachusetts offers 12 scholarship opportunities for local women. The eligibility criteria and award amount vary. For instance, the Nichols for Notes Music Scholarship is available to artistic high school seniors and the Women’s Italian Club of Boston Scholarship is available to Italian undergraduates. Check the website for more information, including the separate application forms for each scholarship.

Number 9: Women's Overseas Service League

Award: $500-$1,000

Deadline: March 1, 2022

How to apply: Print an application to the Women's Overseas Service League and submit it by mail

Eligibility: Students pursuing careers in the military or other public services

Women's Overseas Service League scholarship assistance may be granted to women who are committed to advancement in military or other public service careers; have demonstrated such commitment through life experiences; and have successfully completed a minimum of 12 semester or 18 quarter hours of study with any higher-education institution in a program leading to an academic degree, associate degree, or higher.

Number 10: Alabama Golf Association Women’s Scholarship Fund

Award: $20,000

Deadline: March 2, 2022

How to apply: Submit an application to the Alabama Golf Association Women’s Scholarship Fund

Eligibility: Students residing in Alabama with an interest in golf

Are you a lady golfer in Alabama? Then this is the scholarship for you. The AGA scholarship was created to assist exceptional young women in higher education. Applicants must reside in the state of Alabama and show an interest in golf. This academic scholarship offers a total of $20,000 over four years — that’s $2,500 per semester.