It’s no surprise that college is expensive. But did you know that student loan debt disproportionately affects women? According to the American Association of University Women, women hold $929 billion in student loans, nearly two-thirds of the nation’s total education debt. On average, women graduate owing almost $22,000 more in student loans than men. 

If you’re heading to college in the fall or are thinking about going back to school, you should know that there are multiple college grants for women. By applying for multiple awards, you can lower your education costs and reduce your need for student loans. 

Best College Grants for Women

Unlike student loans, college grants are a type of gift aid. As long as you meet the issuing organization’s criteria, they don’t have to be repaid. 

There are many different college grants for women. You may qualify based on your professional interests, income, or for your background. 

Here are 10 of the best grants we found for women: 

1. Graduate School - American Association of American Women’s Career Development Grants 

If you currently have a bachelor’s degree and are planning to advance your career, change career paths, or reenter the workforce, you may qualify for up to $12,000 in career development grants from the American Association of University Women (AAUW). 

To qualify, you must be planning to pursue a degree in education, health and medical sciences, or the social sciences. 

For more information, visit the AAUW website. 

2. Graduate School - American Medical Women’s Association’s Medical Education Scholarships

If you are currently enrolled in medical school, you could get up to $5,000 through the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) scholarship program. To qualify, you must be a member of the AMWA, complete an essay, submit your financial information, and provide one letter of recommendation. 

For more information or to download the application, visit the AMWA website. 

3. Association for Women in Mathematics’s Alice T. Schafer Mathematics Prize

If you are interested in a career in mathematics, you may be eligible for the Alice T. Schafer Mathematics Prize. Recipients can get up to $1,000, and a runner-up will receive $250. To qualify, you must be nominated by another person and be enrolled in an undergraduate program at the time of your nomination. 

For more information on the nomination procedures, visit the Association for Women in Mathematics website. 

4. Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting’s Women in Need Scholarship

The Education Foundation for Women in Accounting’s Women in Need Scholarship is available to women who are the primary income provider for their household. To qualify, you must be in your sophomore year and major in accounting. If eligible, you can receive up to $2,000. As long as you maintain a 3.0 GPA, the scholarship is renewable for a second year. 

Visit the Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting website for more information about the scholarship and other potential awards. 

5. ExpoMarketing’s Women in Business Scholarship Program

Women who are currently in an undergraduate program can qualify for up to $1,000 through the ExpoMarketing Women in Business Scholarship Award. To qualify, you must be pursuing a career in business and be currently enrolled. 

Visit ExpoMarketing to apply. 

6. Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

If you are 35 or older and getting an undergraduate degree or trade credential, you may be eligible for the Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund. Award amounts vary each year, but are renewable for up to five years. 

There are income restrictions. Your income must fall within the following guidelines: 

You can apply online through the Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund website. 

7. Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Grant

If you are a mom and have a low-income, you may qualify for the Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation grant. Eligible women can receive up to $5,000 to pursue your degree. To qualify, you must be at least 17 and be a mother with minor children. Your income must meet the following restrictions: 

• Family size of two: Your income cannot exceed $20,000
• Family size of three: Your income cannot exceed $24,000
• Family size of four: Your income cannot exceed $28,000
  
  

Visit the Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation website for more information or to complete the application. 

8. Pell Grant

For low-income women, the federal Pell Grant program can be an excellent way to finance some of your education. The grant isn’t limited to women, but it was created to help low-income individuals with exceptional financial need get their degrees. 

If you qualify for the Pell Grant, you can receive up to $6,495 for the 2021-2022 financial aid year. The grant can be used not only for tuition, but also your room and board and textbooks. 

To apply for the Pell Grant, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

9. Women’s Independence Scholarship Program Award

The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program is designed to give financial aid to women who identify as a survivor of intimate partner abuse. Eligible women can receive up to $2,000 to pay for undergraduate degrees, and those going to graduate school can get up to $1,000. 

To qualify, you must be physically separated from the abuser for at least one year, and be sponsored by a non-profit agency that provides support services to survivors of partner abuse. 

For more information and to apply, visit the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program website. 

10. TEACH Grant

While not exclusively for women, the TEACH Grant can be a valuable tool for women pursuing careers in education. It is a federal program that gives you a grant in exchange for a four-year commitment to teach in a high-need field at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational services agency that serves students from low-income families. 

If you qualify, you can receive up to $4,000 per year to complete your degree. However, the grant is converted into a loan if you don’t complete your service commitment. 

To find out if you are eligible, contact your school’s financial aid office. 

Finding Grants and Scholarships

Using scholarships and grants to reduce your college expenses is a smart way to limit your student loan debt. There are thousands of grants and scholarships available, and some are specifically designed for women in certain career paths. You can search for available opportunities with the Juno Scholarship Database, or with The College Board’s scholarship search tool. 

Juno can help you to find a student loan or refinance a loan at the most competitive possible rate. We get groups of buyers together and negotiate on their behalf with lenders to save them money on private student loans and private student loan refinance loans. 

Join Juno today to find out more about your options for affordable private student loans to help fund your degree.