Scholarships and grants for single moms, women returning to school in their 30s, 40s and 50s, and women in STEM and business. Every award here is real and links to its official page.
Each card shows what the sponsor's official page said on November 7, 2026. We only show amounts and deadlines the sponsor publishes. Filter by what fits you:
Cash awardVerified Nov 7, 2026
Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women
Soroptimist International of the Americas
MomsSingle momsOver 30, 40, 50
Who can applyWomen who provide the primary financial support for their families and are working toward more education or training.
What it givesAwards can go toward any cost of getting an education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation. Soroptimist says it gives more than $3.6 million a year to over 2,500 women.
Good to knowLocal Soroptimist clubs also give club-level awards in their own communities.
TimingApplications run August through November each year, per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026. Open now.
Who can applyLow-income mothers of minor children, 17 or older, enrolled full time at a U.S. nonprofit accredited school in a program above any degree they already hold (vocational through doctoral). For 2026-27, family income had to be under $27,320 for a family of three.
What it givesIn 2026, five awards of up to $5,000 each, per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026. Paid in two installments and usable for school or living expenses.
Good to knowThe foundation contacts awardees only and doesn't grant deadline extensions.
TimingThe 2026-27 cycle closed in August 2026. The foundation says 2027-28 details will be posted in May 2027.
Who can applyWomen 35 or older with financial need, in a technical or vocational program, a first associate's degree or a first bachelor's degree at an accredited nonprofit U.S. school.
What it givesUp to $3,000 a year for non-tuition costs, paid to you directly and renewable for up to five years, per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026.
Good to knowStart with the foundation's eligibility survey, and give recommenders three to four weeks.
TimingThe 2026-27 cycle opened in October 2026 and closes in February 2027, per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026.
Who can applyStudents in engineering, engineering technology and computer science: undergraduates entering sophomore year or later, graduate students, and incoming first-year students. SWE's named awards include reentry scholarships.
What it givesSWE doesn't list amounts on its main page; individual awards vary.
Good to knowRead each round's eligibility rules on SWE's site before you apply.
TimingCollegiate and graduate round: opens in December 2026, closes in February 2027. First-year round: opens in February, closes in March 2027. Per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026.
Who can applyWomen aged 18 to 35 showing leadership in a business-related field of study or industry, entrepreneurial spirit and work on issues affecting women and girls or climate justice.
What it gives10 international awards of US$5,000 each plus a one-year Zonta membership, per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026.
Good to knowApply through a local Zonta club, which sets its own deadline. Age limit 35.
Who can applyStudent parents from low-income backgrounds at colleges that hold a CCAMPIS grant. The grant goes to the college, not to you.
What it givesCampus-based child care, and in some cases before- and after-class support, so low-income parents can stay in school. Programs often use a sliding fee scale.
Good to knowNot every college has one. Ask the financial aid office or student parent center.
TimingColleges apply; the latest competition closed in May 2026.
Who can applyAdults looking to train for a better job. When funds are used for training, American Job Centers must give priority to people on public assistance and other low-income individuals.
What it givesJob search help and training opportunities through local American Job Centers. Services vary by state.
Good to knowServices and eligibility vary by state. Ask which training programs the funds can pay for.
TimingYear-round, at your local American Job Center.
Who can applyEmployees whose employer has a written educational assistance program.
What it givesUp to $5,250 a year tax-free for tuition, fees, books and supplies, plus payments on your own qualified student loans, which the 2026 IRS guide says is now permanent.
Good to knowSome employers require you to stay for a period after.
The FAFSA works differently for women returning to school
If you were born before January 1, 2004, or you have children who get more than half their support from you, the 2027-28 FAFSA counts you as an independent student. That means your parents' income doesn't count, which often means more aid.
Pell Grants have no age limit. The maximum for 2026-27 is $7,395, per the Department of Education.
Yes. Examples include Soroptimist's Live Your Dream Awards for women who support their families, the Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant for women 35 and older, and SWE and Zonta awards for women in engineering and STEM.
Can older women get scholarships?
Yes. Most scholarships have no upper age limit, Pell Grants have none, and the Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant is only for women 35 or older.
What is the easiest scholarship for women to get?
There's no shortcut, and anything that promises an easy or guaranteed award is a warning sign. The most reliable money for most returning students is the Pell Grant, which you get by filing the free FAFSA.
Do I have to pay back a grant?
Generally no. The Department of Education says a Pell Grant, unlike a loan, doesn't have to be repaid except in certain circumstances.
