Scholarships for women in US universities encompass various fields including STEM, business, arts, humanities, graduate studies, and those specifically designed for women of color.
The number of women attending colleges and universities has reached record levels. In 2020, women comprised 58% of undergraduate enrollment, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Projections from the NCES indicate that by 2030, approximately 2.4 million more women than men are expected to enroll.
This shift in demographics has been evolving over decades, leading to a rise in college scholarships specifically targeted towards women to align with this trend.
Below, you can explore some of the prominent grants, fellowships, and scholarships available for women across different disciplines.
In 2019, women comprised just 34% of the STEM workforce, despite constituting around 48% of the overall workforce.
The gender disparity is most pronounced in STEM fields heavily reliant on mathematics, engineering, and leadership roles, as revealed by a study in Labour Economics. Although STEM has traditionally been dominated by men, scholarships targeting women in STEM are instrumental in redressing this imbalance.
Scholarships For Women In US Universities
Scholarship Opportunity For Female Students In STEM Fields
Despite comprising 48% of the overall workforce, women hold only 27% of positions in STEM fields. Over the last five decades, initiatives aimed at boosting female representation in STEM have shown some success, but it’s crucial not to slacken these efforts. Presently, there’s a heightened push to encourage women to enter STEM fields.
The Young Women in STEM Scholarship seeks to support the next generation of female STEM professionals, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Eligible applicants include female high school seniors and undergraduate students from low-income households pursuing STEM degrees.
To apply, candidates must respond to a set of short essay prompts regarding their personal backgrounds and future aspirations.
Scholarship For Women In Technology Offered By Palantir
The Women In Technology Scholarship North America accepts applications from undergraduate or Masters students currently attending accredited colleges or universities in the United States, Canada, or Mexico for both the current (2023-24) and upcoming (2024-25) academic years.
Applicants must be freshmen, sophomores, or juniors pursuing or intending to pursue a major in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related technical field, and must identify as women. Previous recipients of the Palantir scholarship are ineligible.
Scholarship Named In Honor Of Virginia Heinlein
The scholarship essay competition for the upcoming academic year (2024 – 2025) is currently accepting submissions. Similar to the previous year, we will grant four scholarships worth $4,000 each to undergraduates enrolled in accredited 4-year institutions.
The “Virginia Heinlein Memorial Scholarship” is specifically designated for female students pursuing studies in engineering, mathematics, biology, or physical sciences. Meanwhile, the Robert A. Heinlein, Dr. Yoji Kondo, and Dr. Jerry Pournelle scholarships are open to applicants of any gender. Winners will be revealed on July 7, 2024.
Scholarship For Women In Mathematics By Learner Education
To qualify for this scholarship, candidates need to be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program focused on mathematics or a related field at a 4-year, 2-year, vocational, or technical institution in the USA.
Alternatively, they can be a high school senior about to graduate with intentions to pursue studies in mathematics or related areas. Additionally, applicants must hold US citizenship or have permanent legal residency status.
Scholarship Offered By BHW
This grant is open to female students enrolled in a STEM-related undergraduate or master’s program at a U.S. institution of higher education. Submissions must be made by April 15, 2023, with a prize of $3,000.
The Agnes E. Vaghi Scholarship Fund
Female Italian American undergraduate students studying Italian, English, literature, or journalism are eligible for this scholarship. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a GPA of at least 3.5. Application deadline is March 1, 2023, and the award is $2,500.
Scholarships for women in US universities
The P.E.O. Star Scholarship
This scholarship targets graduating high school students intending to enroll in a university in either the United States or Canada. Eligible candidates need to exhibit outstanding academic performance, leadership qualities, involvement in community service, and promise for future success. Only U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Qualification Criteria
- To be considered for a STAR Scholarship, a female candidate must meet the following criteria:
- Be endorsed by a local chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood
- Hold citizenship or legal permanent residency in the United States or Canada
- Maintain a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Demonstrate outstanding performance in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service, and potential for future success
- Intend to enroll in a fully or partially accredited postsecondary educational institution in the United States or Canada for the fall semester following high school graduation
- Applications from candidates meeting these eligibility standards will be assessed impartially, without regard to race, age, national origin, religious beliefs, disability, or affiliation with P.E.O.
Scholarship By Irene and Daisy MacGregor
The Irene and Daisy MacGregor Memorial Scholarship is granted to two students demonstrating exceptional academic achievement and integrity, who are enrolled in or are actively pursuing an authorized program leading to a medical doctor degree at an accredited medical school.
The scholarship does not apply to pre-med, veterinary, or physician assistant programs. Continuation of the scholarship is contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.25.
Additionally, this scholarship is open to individuals accepted into or currently enrolled in an authorized graduate program for psychiatric nursing at accredited medical schools, colleges, or universities. Priority may be given to female applicants “if equally qualified.”
Scholarship By The Haffizulla Family
The Haffizulla Family Scholarship Fund, established by Dr. Farzanna Haffizulla during her presidency in 2014-15, aims to support young leaders committed to disease prevention and national health. Dr. Haffizulla, in her tenure as AMWA President, also initiated the Preventive Medicine Task Force to advance health, fitness, and wellness nationwide.
This scholarship, offering up to two awards of $1,000 each, will be presented annually during AMWA’s awards luncheon at the annual meeting.
Applications for the scholarship must be completed and submitted by January 19, 2024, and applicants must have actively participated in AMWA’s student division for at least two years and maintained good standing membership.
Scholarship Fund In Honor of Ena Harris Berger
This scholarship, provided by the education department at Central Washington University, is available to female freshmen or transfer students who are single. Candidates should maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, with a particular preference given to Native American applicants. The scholarship carries an award of $693.
Scholarship By Loretta J. Belval
This scholarship is available to female seniors in high school residing in Grafton, Mendon, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, or Uxbridge, Massachusetts, aiming for a future in teaching or education. The award is $1,500.
Scholarship For Indiana’s Future Educators
This scholarship, offered by the Indiana Women’s Education Foundation, Inc., is designated for female student teachers demonstrating financial need.
Eligible candidates must be at least 21 years old, female, and have resided in Indiana for at least one year prior to applying.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Recipients and alternates will receive notification by mail, and scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the recipient’s educational institution.
Conclusion
Scholarships for women in US universities pursuing STEM and medical studies have the potential to expand avenues for their advancement in these areas. Providing MBA scholarships specifically for women can equip them with the necessary skills for taking on leadership positions. There’s been an increasing trend in the availability of scholarships targeting women of color across both graduate and undergraduate programs. Opportunities in the form of graduate scholarships, grants, and fellowships are abundant for women across a wide array of fields.
