Scholarships for Women

Even today, women face a unique set of struggles in both academia and the workforce. While female college students have recently begun to outnumber their male peers, making up more than 56% of current college students, they are still underrepresented in many fields. STEM jobs, for example, are often male-dominated, especially when it comes to high-paying jobs in engineering or computer science.

Additionally, female students owe a disproportionate amount of the national student loan debt, collectively owing $929 billion, which is nearly two-thirds of the total student debt in the US.

This uneven distribution of student loans places even more of a burden on female students when considering the wage gap. On average, women make significantly less money than their male counterparts, for women with a college education make an average of about only 74 cents for every even dollar that men with a college education earn. In high-paying fields, the wage gap is even more prominent, with men sometimes earning up to 43% more than women. 

Many factors contribute to the persisting wage gap, including the fact that women are underrepresented in leadership positions, which are often high-paying roles. For every 100 men promoted to manager positions, only 79 women are. Gender bias plays a large role in this discrepancy, and men are more likely to be hired for entry-level work, resulting in fewer women being considered for promotions.

Fortunately, scholarships for women can help close the gap in both employment and wages, encouraging women to pursue male-dominated fields, such as STEM, and supporting women as they seek high-paying jobs. Scholarships can help reduce or eliminate the need for student loans, making it easier for female students to complete their degrees. Furthermore, women scholarships help make it more feasible for female graduate students to partake and excel in their college education, helping them break into high-paying, male-dominated fields. 

To make your search for scholarship funds easier, we’ve created this list of scholarships for women at all levels of education. You can start applying by clicking one of the opportunities above! This list is a great place to start if you’re looking for scholarships, but you can find even more exclusive scholarships on Bold.org.

Why is there still a wage gap?

While women are becoming increasingly educated, they often make less money due to a continuation of underrepresentation in high-paying jobs and leadership positions. Only 79 women are promoted to manager positions for every 100 men that are, partially because women are less likely to be hired for entry-level work, which results in fewer women for an organization to promote when the time comes. 

Additionally, many jobs are still gendered, and female-dominated jobs are much more likely to be low-paying. Out of the 30 lowest-paying jobs in the United States, 23 are female-dominated. In comparison, of the 30 highest-paying jobs, 26 are male-dominated. It can be difficult for women to break into male-dominated fields, which perpetuates the gender gap further through generations.

How important are scholarships for women in closing the gender gap?

The gender gap persists in both employment and wages, but scholarships can be part of the solution for these students. Scholarships for women will provide opportunities for female students looking to get the most out of their education by pursuing careers in male-dominated fields, such as STEM, and helping women strive for high-paying jobs. Though women are becoming even more educated than men, many jobs are more out of reach due to the lack of female representation in these industries. 

Our exclusive scholarships for women are designed to support you and other women toward their goals in and out of the classroom and past oppressive societal gender barriers.

How to Qualify for Scholarships for Women

To begin applying for Bold.org's scholarships for women, simply create your free profile on Bold.org by clicking on any of the many scholarships above. From there, you can filter different categories to find scholarships that you are eligible for.

The main qualification for female scholarships is to identify as a woman. There are many different scholarships for women that only have the gender requirement. With that being said, different scholarships have different requirements that take race, education level, career path, and whether you demonstrate financial aid into account. Make sure that in applying for scholarships, you pay attention to the requirements outside of being a female student.

Types of Scholarships Available for Female Students

Some scholarships are specialized to encourage women pursuing different careers. Women are being encouraged to go into fields that are generally male-dominated, such as STEM fields. Women engineers and computer science majors are in high demand.

There are other specific scholarships for female students, including scholarships for women interested in or currently in medical school, those interested in different arts, etc. At the same time, there are scholarships tailored to women of different educational levels. Some scholarships are open to high schoolers, undergraduate and graduate students, while others are specifically for female high school seniors, graduate students, or women enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited university.

How to Find Scholarships for Women

Once you have created your free Bold.org profile, you can start to find scholarships that you are eligible for. By choosing the "Women" category, you will be provided with a list of scholarships specifically for women.

Check the eligibility requirements and descriptions of the scholarship you are looking to apply for to see if you are among the eligible applicants. Examples of some of these varying scholarship opportunities are included in the above list of scholarships for women.

When to Start Applying for Scholarships

It is never too early for high school students and college students alike to begin applying for scholarships, since Bold.org provides many scholarships for female students at every level of education. You don't need to wait until college to begin looking for financial assistance through scholarships or elsewhere. Scholarships aren't reserved for high school seniors, so you can begin applying to scholarships for women at any point in high school.

At the same time, it’s never too late for students enrolled in college to apply for women scholarships. Whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, there are college scholarships open specifically for women. There are plenty of scholarships to apply to in college, so go to Bold.org for even more scholarship opportunities and send any further questions to contact@bold.org. The sooner you apply, the more you money you can make to help avoid student loans.

What to Consider When Applying for Scholarships

You won't win every scholarship you apply for, but that's okay! The more you apply for scholarships, the more likely you are to win. It can seem difficult to win scholarships when there are many other students applying for the same chances, but don't be discouraged. There are ways to improve your chances at winning scholarships for women.

As you seek to increase your chances of winning scholarships for women, remember that there are many scholarship opportunities on Bold.org. To help your chances of winning women scholarships, continue down to read our tips for winning scholarships.

How to Apply for Women Scholarships

Applying for scholarships on Bold.org takes only a few simple steps. Start by creating your free Bold.org profile. Clicking on any of the listed scholarships will lead you to where you can create an account and begin accessing Bold.org's hundreds of scholarships for women.

From there, you can begin to browse the scholarship opportunities on Bold.org. Use features such as filters to help you sort through scholarships for women that apply to your interests and future career paths. The bookmark feature helps you set aside scholarships you are interested in to come back to later.

Once you've found scholarships that work for you, begin applying. The scholarship application processes are set up specifically to make applying as easy as possible so that you can apply for many scholarships.

Tips for Winning Scholarships for Women

Some students choose not to apply for as many scholarships as they could because they don't believe they have a good chance of winning. However, if you use these tips while applying for scholarships, you can increase your odds of earning a scholarship.

Apply for scholarships for women as early as possible

Bold.org is posting new scholarships consistently, giving countless opportunities that come and go within a few months. Therefore, the sooner you begin applying, the more scholarships would be available for you over time. This way, you can apply for as many scholarships as you want without worrying about submitting applications all at one time of the year.

Apply to as many scholarships as you can

Many of the scholarships for women have applications that don't require many materials for application. Therefore, many students apply to these scholarships. It can be hard to stand out in every application, making it important for you to apply to plenty of scholarships. The more scholarships you apply for, the more likely you are to win one. Applying to many scholarships increases your probability of acquiring scholarship money.

Apply to scholarships with more eligibility requirements

An additional way to increase your chances of winning a scholarship is to apply to scholarships that have more eligibility requirements. These scholarships are therefore open to fewer female students. The fewer eligible applicants there are, the less competition there is for the scholarship, increasing your odds of being selected.

Put effort into your essays

There are many scholarships for female students that require short essays. In order to make your application stand out, eligible applicants are advised to put time into their answers. Take time to think about what you are going to write, and once you write your essay, proofread what you've written to eliminate spelling and grammar errors. Whether you are a female high school student or a student at an accredited college, it is important you put effort into your essay, for a good essay can make the difference between winning and being overlooked.

Increase the strength of your Bold.org profile

Another way to increase your chances for winning scholarships for women is to make your profile on Bold.org strong. Donors look for profiles that are fully filled out, with detailed descriptions. The more thoroughly you fill in your Bold profile and the more Bold Points you have, the more likely you are to attract the attention of those deciding on scholarship winners.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Women

Bold.org's scholarships are set up in a user-friendly way in order to help you apply for scholarships right for you. However, there are parts of the process that can be confusing or overwhelming. In the section below, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions female students have about scholarships for women.

Where can I find scholarships for black women?

Bold.org is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, highlighting opportunities for black students in the scholarship list 15 Exclusive Scholarships for Black Students. There is a lack of representation of black women in STEM jobs as well as high ranking leadership positions. Despite making up 7.4% of the U.S. population, only 1.4% of leadership positions are held by black women. It is important to support the black women pursuing higher education in order to change current statistics.

Where can I find scholarships for Hispanic women?

The exclusive list of Scholarships for Hispanic Students on Bold.org provides opportunities for Hispanic women to apply for specialized scholarships. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic stress across the nation, particularly affecting hispanic workers. For example, in April of 2020, the unemployment rate for white workers was 14.2%, while the unemployment rate for Hispanic workers was 18.9%. This discrepancy can be changed as Hispanic people are given equal opportunities. Scholarships for Hispanic women can help fund their education and encourage them to continue pursuing their future goals.

Where can I find scholarships for Asian women?

Asian women can find scholarships on Bold.org using the search category and the category filter to find various scholarships. Examples of Bold.org's scholarships for Asian women include the Advancing Social Justice for Asians Scholarship and the Asian American / Pacific Islander Scholarship. It's important for Asian American women to pursue their ambitions in order to create a more equal society. Scholarships can help give financial aid to those seeking to further their education.

Where can I find scholarships for female graduate students?

Female graduate students interested in applying for scholarships on Bold.org are encouraged to use the education filter on the scholarship search page. By selecting the graduate student filter, you get a filtered list of scholarships tailored specifically to female graduate students. This list includes scholarships meant just for graduate students as well as scholarships for any education level.

Where can I find scholarships for women in STEM?

In an effort to help reduce the gender gap in technological fields and to encourage women in STEM to continue their education, there are many STEM scholarships for women. The “Fight for Equality” Women in STEM Scholarship and the Boosting Women in STEM Scholarship are two great scholarships for women in STEM, and there are even more scholarships for STEM students on Bold.org. 

There are also more specific categories that depend on more individualized STEM fields. Some of the specific STEM major categories include civil engineering, environment, and Stem, diversity and inclusion. Use these STEM filters to find scholarships for female students going into or currently studying science, technology, engineering, and/or math.

While women scholars face many obstacles while pursuing their careers, there are many opportunities and resources to help female students reach their goals. The scholarships above are just a starting point for your scholarship journey, and they can help you pursue your field of choice without financial stress.

How can I improve my chances of winning scholarships?

There are many ways to help make your application stand out when apply to scholarships for women. Take time planning, writing, and reviewing your essay, if one is required. Fill out your Bold.org profile and earn Bold Points to make your application to stand out. The more scholarships you apply to, the more likely you are to win one, so apply generously and put effort into your application in order to give yourself a good chance of being one of the scholarship recipients.

How many scholarships can you get?

On Bold.org there are no limits when it comes to how many scholarships you can win. This gives even more of a reason to apply to numerous scholarships, for there isn't a maximum you can win on Bold.org. Accumulating scholarships can help those pursuing advanced degrees increase their chances of graduating with limited student loans.

Are scholarships taxable income?

Any money earned in scholarships at Bold.org is sent directly to your accredited university and is therefore not considered taxable income. If you are a high school student, the scholarship money will be held in an account until you are enrolled.

What are the easiest scholarships to get?

If you’re looking for easy scholarships to apply to, no-essay scholarships are a great place to start. There are many no-essay scholarships that you can apply to with just a few clicks after making a Bold.org profile, making the process very quick and simple. To increase your chances of winning, consider applying to no-essay scholarships with limited eligibility, such as the Newsette No-Essay Leadership Scholarship for Women listed above.

Where can I get free scholarships?

Searching for scholarship funds and other forms of financial aid for college can feel overwhelming, but on Bold.org you can find scholarships that fit your profile and needs, and they are all free to apply to. Simply make a unique and personalized profile and you can use the filters to search for scholarships based on your career goals, personal identity, passions, and more. You can also choose whether you want to apply to no-essay scholarships, all free of charge.

What GPA do I need to get a scholarship?

Most scholarships on Bold.org are very flexible and you don’t need any specific GPA to be considered. The scholarships listed above are open to female students regardless of GPA, so you don’t need to worry about meeting a certain requirement. Many other scholarships on Bold.org are also open to all GPAs, and the few scholarships that do have a GPA requirement will include it in the scholarship description.

Do I have to be in college to get a scholarship?

While some scholarships have limited eligibility, many are open to both high school and college students, often including graduate students, too. The list above includes scholarships exclusively for high school students as well as scholarships open to women at any level of education. The Women in Music Scholarship is even open to women who are no longer students but still have student loans to pay off. Requirements for the level of schooling are included in the eligibility list for each scholarship, but on Bold.org you can find scholarships open to you regardless of your level of study.

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I am so grateful for the opportunities Bold.org has provided me to help fund my college education. The options are endless, and their commitment to helping and profiling successful students is remarkable.

My college education has and continues to be the most formative experience of my life, and the support and advocacy offered on Bold.org is the greatest recognition I can receive as a student.

Soleil GaylordJournalism Scholarship Winner