Getting back to school can be hard enough for most people, but women and minorities often have unique challenges that can make completing an education even harder. This can include discrimination, poverty, and just general disenfranchisement. Government assistance programs. like the Pell Grant, can help, but they’re really just the beginning. Continue on to get the scoop on more fabulous financing options.
Women and other minorities often face additional hardship when attempting to graduate, including financial strain. Funding programs, like SWE Scholarships and UNCF, meet these additional needs and empower special populations to make their dreams come true with money for school. Learn about these and other options that may help you get paid to go to school later on in the post.
Grants for Women and Other Minorities Help Special Populations Thrive!
The Big List of Scholarships and Grants
Women, people of color, people who are disabled, and other minority groups who need support have a long list of options available for funding education. Each program on this list is unique, so we encourage you to look them over carefully and check qualification requirements. If you think you qualify, you should apply!
- SWE Scholarships offer hundreds of program options for women pursuing careers in engineering or computer science. Last year, SWE awarded over $715,000 in 233 scholarship programs.
- Women Techmakers offers a full one-year scholarship to women interested in web development, Android development, or full stack programming development through the Udacity Nanodegree program.
- Zonta International awards $2,000 to up to 32 U.S. recipients and $8,000 to up to six international students each year. This scholarship is open to all women who want to pursue a business-related college program.
- The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers women scholarships by state. Amounts range from around $1000 to $10,000 depending on the location and the program you choose.
- The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) provides the most financial aid to minorities each year than any other group, offering scholarships to over 10,000 students with a total spend of over $100 million. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 and plan to be a full-time student during the award period.
- The Hispanic Scholarship Fund awards between $500 and $5,000 to multiple students each year, based on need. Qualified students must maintain a minimum GPA and plan to attend an accredited four-year school full time during the award year. Open to undergraduate and undergraduate students.
- The Asians and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Foundation (APIASF) serves these specific populations. Grants and scholarships are available for any student attending U.S. accredited colleges. Numbers are limited, though the organization gives out thousands of dollars every year.
- The Asian Pacific Fund has a significant scholarship fund available for students meeting requirements across a number of programs each year. Amounts start at around $1000 and rise to up to $5000 per award year, and students can receive money for multiple years. Each scholarship program has its own eligibility criteria.
- The American Indian College Fund is available to U.S. citizens (or Canadians eligible under the Jay Treaty) who are registered members of tribes recognized at the state or federal level. If you have a registered grandparent, you are also considered eligible.
Regardless of your genetic background, your gender, your health status, or your skin color, you deserve an education. These resources are here for a reason – to help you achieve your dreams even in the face of hardship. The time is now to claim what’s yours, further your education, and move your career to the next level.
