It's not too late, and you're not too old. Most scholarships have no upper age limit, and some of the best awards are written for women who are coming back to school.
By age
What to look at first
WomenOver 30
You're an independent student on the FAFSA, so parents' income doesn't count
Pell Grants if you don't have a bachelor's degree yet
Live Your Dream Awards if you support your family
SWE scholarships, including reentry awards, for engineering and computing
WomenOver 40
The Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant (35 and older): up to $3,000 a year, renewable
Employer tuition help, up to $5,250 a year tax-free
WIOA training funds through an American Job Center
Patsy Mink award if you're a low-income mother of minor children
WomenOver 50
Pell Grants have no age limit
Rankin's grant is open to women 35 and up, with no upper limit stated
WIOA training for a career change, with priority for low-income adults
Ask public colleges near you whether they offer reduced tuition for older residents
Verified awards
Awards for women going back to school
GrantVerified Nov 7, 2026
Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant
Jeannette Rankin Foundation
Over 30, 40, 50Single momsMoms
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.
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 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.
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.
A short email with awards for women that are opening or closing soon, each rechecked at the source.
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Questions
Questions women ask us
Are there scholarships for women over 40?
Yes. The Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant is only for women 35 and older, and gives up to $3,000 a year, renewable for up to five years, per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026. Most other scholarships, and Pell Grants, have no upper age limit.
Can a 50-year-old woman get a Pell Grant?
Yes, if she has financial need and hasn't earned a bachelor's degree. The Department of Education doesn't set an age limit for Pell.
Am I an independent student on the FAFSA if I'm over 24?
On the 2027-28 FAFSA, being born before January 1, 2004 is one of the questions that makes you independent, so your parents' information isn't needed.