Scholarship opportunities for students majoring in gender studies may pose a challenge to find, yet the pool of available funding is expanding within this relatively recent academic discipline. Gender studies programs typically extend upon the liberal arts to cultivate a profound comprehension of how gender dynamics shape the societal experiences of individuals.
Students pursuing degrees in gender studies actively participate in vibrant class debates concerning intricate matters of injustice, inequity, and suppression across the evolution of feminism. Educational institutions are increasingly prioritizing gender studies curricula to empower future generations with the social consciousness necessary to instigate constructive change.
If you possess a fervent dedication to enhancing the well-being of individuals, the following scholarships provide excellent opportunities to alleviate the financial burden of your gender studies education.
Scholarships For Students With A Passion For Gender Studies
The Abbie Jane Bakony Scholarship:
The Abbie Jane Bakony Scholarship, with a deadline of May 22nd, is established to commemorate the life of a CIA agent and real estate broker who revealed her identity as a lesbian at the age of 70. Offered by the University of Oregon, this scholarship awards $1,200 annually to two deserving freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who are pursuing majors in Women’s and Gender Studies.
Application submissions require three copies of the application form, an unofficial transcript, two faculty recommendations, a writing sample, and an essay of up to 1,000 words detailing the impact of gender studies on their intellectual growth.
The Andrea O’Donnell Memorial Scholarship:
The Andrea O’Donnell Memorial Scholarship, introduced by San Diego State University to honor a cherished former student activist, offers an annual award of $1,000. It is available to both full-time and part-time undergraduate students currently enrolled in Women’s Studies programs.
Applicants must have finished at least six major credits, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7, exhibit a dedication to community activism, actively engage in volunteer work, and aspire to careers supporting women’s empowerment. The deadline for application submission is April 9th.
Scholarship By Betty Janette Maynard:
The Betty Janette Maynard Scholarships, with an application deadline of April 20th, provide financial support of up to $5,000 per year for a duration of two years. These scholarships are granted at Southern Methodist University in memory of Betty Janette Maynard, a former sociology professor and a notable activist on campus.
Maynard was known for her advocacy for women to pursue their aspirations. Eligible candidates are required to have a declared major in Women’s and Gender Studies, maintain at least junior standing, uphold a strong academic performance, exhibit Maynard’s spirit of activism, and submit a 500-word essay outlining their future objectives.
The annual Cassandra Voss Women’s and Gender Studies:
The annual Cassandra Voss Women’s and Gender Studies Award, with a deadline of March 1st, is bestowed upon one or two students enrolled in the Women’s and Gender Studies program at St. Norbert College.
The award amount is $1,000. To qualify, candidates must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, demonstrate leadership within the college or local community, embody the Norbertine dedication to social justice, and display unmet financial need. Priority consideration will be given to senior students.
The Danielle Vacca Scholarship:
The Danielle Vacca Scholarship was established by the University of Utah in memory of a former student who tragically lost her life in a car accident involving a drunk driver. This scholarship offers $2,500 per semester for three semesters to junior or senior students pursuing a major in Gender Studies.
Applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, be enrolled full-time throughout the scholarship duration, and confirm their U.S. citizenship or legal residency. Preference is given to candidates who have experienced the loss of a family member due to a drunk driving incident. The application deadline is August 7th.
The Eleanor M. Carlson Trust Scholarship:
The Eleanor M. Carlson Trust Scholarship, with a deadline of May 1st, is offered annually at the University of Rhode Island. It grants a minimum of $2,000 to undergraduate students enrolled in Gender and Women’s Studies programs.
To qualify, applicants must be Rhode Island residents, have completed 24 credits or more, demonstrate strong academic performance, display financial need, and engage in community or campus service. Priority is given to single mothers with one or more dependent children.
The Janet K. Schnorr Memorial Scholarship:
The Janet K. Schnorr Memorial Scholarship, with a deadline of January 31st, is one of the two undergraduate scholarships in gender studies offered at Northern Arizona University. It awards $1,000 annually to full-time students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Women’s and Gender Studies.
Eligible candidates must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours, maintained a GPA of at least 3.0, submit two letters of recommendation, and furnish a one-page personal statement demonstrating their dedication to exploring gender-related topics.
The Jen O’Hare Memorial Scholarship:
The Jen O’Hare Memorial Scholarship, is awarded annually in the amount of $1,500 to an undergraduate student enrolled in California State University, Chico’s Bachelor of Arts program in Multicultural and Gender Studies. Successful candidates must demonstrate strong academic performance, maintain full-time enrollment with 12 or more units per term, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, exhibit notable accomplishments in academic or community involvement, and submit two letters of recommendation along with their online application.
The Judy Mann DiStefano Memorial Scholarship:
The Judy Mann DiStefano Memorial Scholarship, with a deadline of April 26th, offers $2,000 annually. It aims to support exceptional undergraduate or graduate students enrolled full-time in the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program at Oregon State University. Qualifying applicants should demonstrate financial need, sustain a GPA of at least 3.0, engage in community activism, uphold feminist principles, and submit two recommendations. Preference is given to candidates with a passion for women’s history.
The Loren Frankel Memorial Scholarship:
The Loren Frankel Memorial Scholarship, established in 2005 following the untimely death of a promising psychology professor in a car accident, is offered by the American Men’s Studies Association (AMSA) to college students across the country engaged in gender studies.
This scholarship awards $500 to recipients who submit a project or paper proposal of one to two pages, aiming to advance the field of men’s studies significantly. Preference is given to applicants addressing topics related to adolescent sexuality or male heterosexual identity.
Scholarship By Louise Greene And Smith:
The Louise Greene and Elizabeth Smith Scholarship, administered by the University of Montana’s College of Humanities and Sciences, offers an $800 award annually to two undergraduate students demonstrating merit in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
Applicants must provide proof of involvement in WGSS-related activism, two letters of recommendation, a current transcript displaying a minimum GPA of 3.0, and a 350-word essay outlining their career aspirations. Students have until April 15th to turn in their application.
Scholarship By Valere Scott:
The Valere Scott Scholarship Fund, with an annual disbursement of $1,000, was created at Western Kentucky University to provide financial assistance to full-time students majoring in Gender & Women’s Studies, registered for an average 12 credit hours every semester. Eligible candidates should be at the sophomore level or above, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8, exhibit academic achievement, engage in community service related to women’s advocacy, and submit a 500-word essay outlining their career goals. The application deadline for this scholarship is March 25th.
The NWASA Scholarship:
The NWSA Lesbian Caucus Award, with a deadline of May 15th, is an annual offering by the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA). This award grants $500 to graduate students majoring in gender studies who are actively engaged in research for their master’s thesis or Ph.D. dissertation focusing on the study of lesbian, bisexual, queer, or transgender women.
Eligible applicants are required to be NWSA members, enrolled in an accredited graduate school in the United States, maintain satisfactory academic performance, demonstrate research proficiency, and obtain two letters of recommendation in support of their application.
Scholarship By Muriel And Irene Goldman:
The Muriel and Irene Goldman Scholarship, established in 1998, supports one or two full-time undergraduate students enrolled in Ball State University’s Women’s and Gender Studies program, pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Eligible applicants must be in their junior or senior year, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, exhibit financial need, and show dedication to promoting social justice for women. Recipients will be selected regardless of gender, race, age, or religious affiliation. Applications are due by April 1st.
Conclusion:
If you aspire to pursue careers such as human services director, women’s health worker, social worker, journalist, professor, sociologist, public health educator, or government official, a foundation in gender studies will be advantageous. Yet, obtaining this foundation entails committing to at least four years of post-secondary education, which can be financially daunting given the current exorbitant tuition rates. Unlike loans, scholarships offer a non-repayable source of funding, making them a valuable resource for alleviating the financial strain on gender studies students. By seeking out and applying for various scholarships tailored to gender studies majors, you can secure the necessary funds to support your education in addressing critical social issues affecting both men and women.
