30 Scholarships for Women to Apply to in 2024

Whether in high school or medical school, it is costly for anyone to further their education, but scholarships help offset some of these costs. For female-identifying students looking for a way to narrow down their scholarship search, you might be interested in looking for scholarships for women. 

Lucky for you, we have gathered a list of 30 scholarships for women and female-identifying students to help fund your college education. Most scholarships are open to undergraduate and graduate students, but some are available for graduating female high school seniors. For female students attending an accredited college or institution, these scholarships can help them cover the cost of tuition, books and help them achieve their educational goals. 

30 Best Scholarships for Women and Female Students

For anyone pursuing a college education, it can be a costly endeavor. Whether a female graduating high school senior or a graduate student looking for financial aid opportunities, these 30 scholarships for women can help relieve the stress of achieving a college education.

Scholarship Institute’s Annual Women’s Leadership Scholarship 

You can apply for this recurring scholarship by submitting a brief essay if you’re a female-identifying student with exceptional leadership qualities. In your response, explain how you’ve been a leader and what you hope to accomplish in the future with your skills and college education. 

• Amount: $500
• Next Application Deadline: July 1, 2024
• Next Winner Announced: July 31, 2024

Barbie Dream House Scholarship

If you’re a fan of the popular Barbie movie, you can apply for this unique scholarship opportunity. Interested applicants should write about their Barbie Dream House, including its location, appearance, and fabulous features, in 600 words or less. 

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: October 1, 2023
• Winner Announced: October 27, 2023

“The Summer I Turned Pretty” Fan Scholarship 

If you’re a fan of this influential Amazon Prime series, consider applying for this scholarship by the nearest rolling deadline date (up until Fall 2024). Interested female students must write an essay explaining why they’re Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah using specific moments from the show. 

• Amount: $500
• Next Application Deadline: September 20, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: August 15, 2024

400 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship

Women and female-identifying students who refine their Bold.org profiles and have at least 400 Bold Points can apply for this recurring scholarship. Applicants are encouraged to make their profiles earnest, determined, and moving. 

• Amount: $4,000 ($2,000 each)
• Next Application Deadline: October 1, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: December 1, 2023

Bold.org No-Essay Community Scholarship 

This annual scholarship awards students who recognize the value of the community around them. Female students can apply by working on their Bold.org profiles and inviting friends to join the platform; applicants who ask the most and apply by the soonest rolling deadline date have higher chances of winning. 

• Amount: $5,000
• Next Application Deadline: October 1, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: December 1, 2023

WayUp Dream Job No-Essay Scholarship 

If you’re a female student graduating between 2020 and 2026 and want to find jobs and internships, consider applying for this annual scholarship. Applicants will automatically receive access to the WayUp platform to find work opportunities, and those who engage with and use it have an advantage during the review phase. 

• Amount: $1,000
• Next Application Deadline: October 1, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: August 1, 2024

“Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship 

This annual scholarship awards students with the “boldest” profile on Bold.org. Female-identifying students are eligible to apply, regardless of their GPA, education level, or field of study, and should get started by the nearest rolling deadline date. 

• Amount: $25,161
• Next Application Deadline: October 1, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: December 1, 2023

VNutrition and Wellness’ Annual LGBTQ+ Vitality Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support LBGTQ+ students pursuing higher education, including high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students. Interested female-identifying students and women can apply by submitting a 400–600 word essay about their plans to impact society with their education positively. 

• Amount: $500
• Next Application Deadline: July 1, 2024
• Next Winner Announced: July 31, 2024

Laura Thorne Memorial Scholarship 

This annual scholarship is for high school seniors or undergraduates with a special education major, volunteer or community service experience, cancer-related background, and Pennsylvania residency. If you’re a female student who wants to apply, write about your experience with cancer and why you’re pursuing a career in special education. 

• Amount: $500
• Next Application Deadline: November 1, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: December 1, 2023

Bold.org No-Essay Top Friend Scholarship

This scholarship is for students who are outstanding friends. It will award one applicant with the “boldest” profile who has been invited by a friend to join Bold.org, similar to other Bold.org open scholarships. Female students should apply by the earliest rolling deadline. 

• Amount: $5,000
• Next Application Deadline: October 1, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: December 1, 2023

Fall Favs: A Starbucks Stan Scholarship

This scholarship is for women and female students who love Starbucks’ fall-inspired drinks. Anyone can apply by writing about their favorite Starbucks fall-inspired beverage and how it’s become a character in their fall narrative. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and by the soonest rolling deadline date. 

• Amount: $500
• Next Application Deadline: September 20, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: August 15, 2024

Future Dentists Scholarship

Female students pursuing a career in dentistry can apply for this scholarship regardless of their education level. Eligible applicants must submit a 400–600 word essay about what inspired them to pursue their career and how the scholarship will help them achieve their goals. 

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: January 31, 2024
• Winner Announced: February 29, 2024

The GIST Women’s Sports Business Scholarship

If you’re interested in the business side of women’s sports, apply for this annual scholarship by the soonest rolling deadline date. Applicants will automatically receive a free subscription to The GIST Sports Business newsletter and should read, engage with, and share it to increase their chances of winning. 

• Amount: $1,000
• Next Application Deadline: October 1, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: August 2, 2024

Harry Potter and the Sorting Hat Scholarship

If you’re a female-identifying student and a Harry Potter super fan, you can apply for this scholarship by submitting a brief essay. In your response, explain which Hogwarts house you would be sorted in and why you’re the perfect fit. 

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: October 31, 2023
• Winner Announced: November 21, 2023

Chris Jackson Computer Science Education Scholarship

Female-identifying undergraduate university students pursuing STEM/computer science can apply for this annual scholarship by submitting a 300–500 word essay. In your response, discuss what led to you pursuing a computer science degree, your goals or dream job, and why you deserve to win the scholarship. 

• Amount: $5,000
• Next Application Deadline: October 1, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: November 1, 2023

Joanne Pransky Celebration of Women in Robotics

Female-identifying high school or two to four-year undergraduate students pursuing a career in robotics can apply for this scholarship. If interested, write about the challenges of opportunities of robotics in the near future in a 500–1000 word essay. 

• Amount: $3,000 (3 winners, $1,000 each)
• Application Deadline: February 29, 2024
• Winner Announced: March 31, 2024

Clevenger Women in Foster Care Award

This scholarship is for female-identifying high school, trade school, undergraduate, or graduate students with foster care experience. Eligible applicants must write a 400–600 essay about how they plan to use their skills to make a difference in their community or career field. 

• Amount: $1,000 (2 winners, $500 each)
• Application Deadline: November 15, 2023
• Winner Announced: December 15, 2023

William Griggs Memorial Scholarship for Science and Math

This scholarship honors the life and legacy of William Griggs by awarding female students pursuing a career in math or science. To apply, write a brief essay about yourself and your plans to contribute to the math or science field. 

• Amount: $2,500
• Application Deadline: June 20, 2024
• Winner Announced: July 20, 2024

Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship

To encourage diversity and inclusion in the computer science field, this scholarship will award LGBTQIA+ students, young women, or BIPOC applicants majoring in computer science. To apply, write about your computer science and non-computer science goals and how you might combine them in the future. 

• Amount: $10,000 (4 winners, $1,000 to $5,000 each)
• Application Deadline: January 15, 2024
• Winner Announced: February 15, 2024

Scholarship for Women Golfers

Women and female-identifying high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students who play golf are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. Eligible applicants should write an essay answering why they play golf and some challenges they’ve overcome as a female golfer. 

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: December 1, 2023
• Winner Announced: December 31, 2023

Hester Richardson Powell Memorial Service Scholarship

This scholarship, offered in memory of Hester Richardson Powell, is for African American female high school seniors with at least a 2.7 GPA. To apply, write a 400–600 word essay about how you’ve demonstrated resilience to inspire someone else. 

• Amount: $2,500 (5 winners, $500 each)
• Application Deadline: February 28, 2024
• Winner Announced: March 28, 2024

SulawithSula

You can apply for this scholarship if you’re a female-identifying high school senior or undergraduate freshman who plays volleyball. Eligible applicants must write about what the sport has taught them, what they’ve overcome, and how they plan on using that experience in college. 

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: November 7, 2023
• Winner Announced: December 7, 2023

Dr. Jade Education Scholarship

This scholarship is for Black/African American women in graduate school who also work full-time. If you want to apply, write a 400–600 word essay about the life of your dreams and what it looks like. 

• Amount: $500 (2 winners, $200 or $300 each)
• Application Deadline: January 1, 2024
• Winner Announced: February 1, 2024

Cuervo Rincon Scholarship of Excellence for Latinas

If you’re a female-identifying Hispanic/Latina undergraduate student with a 3.8 GPA or higher, apply for this scholarship by submitting a brief essay. In your response, describe yourself, how you’ve made a positive impact and plan to continue in the future, and how the scholarship will help you attend college. 

• Amount: $5,000 (5 winners, $1,000 each)
• Application Deadline: October 15, 2023
• Winner Announced: November 15, 2023

Reach For Your Future Scholarship

Women in their high school junior or senior years from Alabama who demonstrate financial need can apply for this scholarship to help pay for higher education or an undergraduate degree. Eligible students can apply by writing an essay about what pursuing higher education means to them and how the scholarship will help them pursue their career goals.  

• Amount: $3,000 (3 winners, $800 to $1,200 each)
• Application Deadline: February 29, 2024
• Winner Announced: March 31, 2024

Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship

This scholarship is for students grappling with the loss of a loved one, whether a family member, legal guardian, or someone close to them, and in need of financial support. Eligible female students can apply by writing about how their loss has caused them to focus on what matters most and what they hope to achieve. 

• Amount: $10,000
• Application Deadline: July 20, 2024
• Winner Announced: August 20, 2024

Across Cultures “Expand Your Horizons” Scholarship

If you’re a female-identifying student who wants to learn about other cultures and is open to sharing yours, consider applying for this scholarship. The winner can use the funds to help them continue on their path to travel and learn. 

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: April 28, 2024
• Winner Announced: April 30, 2024

Doña Lupita Immigrant Scholarship

Immigrant single mothers or the children of an immigrant single mother can apply for this annual scholarship. Eligible applicants must submit an essay about themselves and the values they hope to instill in their children (or the ones their single parent taught them). 

• Amount: $2,000
• Next Application Deadline: November 12, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: December 12, 2023

Dylan’s Journey Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support high school, undergraduate, and graduate students with a learning disability, such as ADHD, NF, or Dyslexia. Female students who wish to apply can submit a video or essay about their experience with their learning disability, what motivates them to pursue higher education, and why they deserve to win. 

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: March 21, 2024
• Winner Announced: April 21, 2024

Trudgers Fund

You can apply for this biannual scholarship if you’re a high school senior or undergraduate student who has overcome addiction and is now sober. Eligible female students can apply by writing a brief essay about their experiences with addiction and how they plan on using their education to help others. 

• Amount: $1,000
• Next Application Deadline: November 1, 2023
• Next Winner Announced: December 1, 2023

About Scholarships for Women

It can be expensive to invest in your education, and scholarships can be a helpful way of offsetting these costs for female college students. And you can never go wrong when you’re supporting female students who are often underrepresented in their chosen major.

Covering the cost of this investment by having your parents help or taking out loans is not always an option for prospective female students. That’s why financial awards like educational scholarships are so important and helpful for allowing female students to go to college with as little debt after graduation. Most scholarships support and aid women pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree by attending higher education.

What are Scholarships for Women?

Scholarships for women are a form of financial aid given to incoming or current college students attending an accredited college. Scholarships for women are only for female students enrolled in a community college or two- or four-year institute. For some scholarships for women, female high school juniors or seniors can apply for future aid in attending college, while some are for college students to aid them during their current journey of pursuing higher education.

What Qualifies Someone for a Women Scholarship?

Scholarships for women are scholarships that are only open to women or female-identifying applicants. All scholarships have specific requirements that applicants must meet to be considered for the award, which can usually be found in the scholarship description or the prompt of the essay entry if there is a writing component. 

Types of Scholarships for Women

Scholarships for women come in a variety of types. There are academic-based, merit-based, athletic-based, identity-based, and more. Some scholarships for women are specifically for high school seniors, while others are for undergraduate or graduate students. Scholarship funds help pay college tuition or cover the cost of textbooks so female students can pursue a college degree without the added stress of paying for everything out of pocket.

Merit-Based Scholarships

These scholarships are based solely on your proven academic ability. These can be decided on the applicant’s grade-point average (GPA), standardized test scores (ACT, SAT, AP exams, etc.), or other academic scores.

Colleges may have academic merit-based scholarships for female students who are part of their incoming class, so they’ll receive these scores when they apply. But other organizations have academic scholarships, so you must also submit these scores. 

If you accept recurring award money from an academic scholarship from a college you are enrolled in, you may have to meet a minimum GPA requirement to keep getting the money each year or semester. 

Athletic Scholarships

Athletic scholarships are based on a student’s athletic ability, usually within a given sport. Often, coaches from interested schools will scout female students performing well during their sport’s season and decide whether or not to make an offer.  

The conditions for accepting award money from an athletic scholarship will likely be that you must pay for the college women’s or co-ed sports team of the school sponsoring the scholarship. This will be a considerable time commitment, so consider if you can handle a college course load alongside time on the court or field.  

Identity/Student-Specific Scholarships

Student-specific or identity scholarships base qualifications on the applicant’s identity and are only open to people within those groups. Scholarships that are only open to women applicants are already identity-based programs. But, other identity-based scholarships are available to women or female-identifying applicants. For example, there are scholarships for black women or women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

These scholarships seek to help female students from disadvantaged backgrounds and marginalized communities by giving awards to female students who share the same characteristics, whether offered in memory of someone else or to encourage more diversity in a particular field. 

Major/Career-Specific Scholarships

Major-based scholarships are financial awards only available to female students who have declared a particular major. These scholarships can be as broad as only STEM majors or foreign language majors or as specific as only open to neuroscience majors. 

Female graduate students may also earn scholarships for the departments that they are studying under rather than a declared major.

How to Find Scholarships for Women

Looking for women’s scholarships can be long and challenging, especially if you need help finding where to look. Still, many resources are available to help students look for scholarships and specific types, such as scholarships for women. 

The internet is the best place to start if you need help looking for scholarships for women. It can be overwhelming when you first begin looking just because of the massive number of online scholarships, but using the internet can also help you find the best scholarships for you and keep them organized. 

For example, Bold.org collects and showcases scholarships for women and female-identifying students. Bold.org is especially helpful because you can filter out scholarships you know you won’t qualify for. You can also bookmark scholarships you don’t qualify for now but potentially later in the coming semesters. 

If you’re already in college or a graduate program, your advisor or other female students within your major or degree program are also great resources to find scholarships. Consulting with your advisor is always a good idea, as their job is to help you succeed. If they can’t help you with applications or places to look for scholarships, they can refer you to another administrator or school resource for help. 

Another good place to look for scholarships is local businesses or organizations that women lead to see if they sponsor scholarships for female students who are women. This is an excellent idea if you live in a city where the college has a significant presence, even off-campus. 

How to Apply for Scholarships for Women: A Step-by-Step Guide

When you’re ready to start applying for scholarships, we recommend using Bold.org to streamline the application process. Here’s how to get started: 

Step 1: Self-Reflect 

Before you start your applications, consider your unique strengths, experiences, and goals as a woman. Write down anything you want to showcase which will guide you in finding scholarships that resonate with your values. 

Step 2: Visit Bold.org 

After you self-reflect, head to Bold.org to sign up for a free account and create a profile. This platform offers hundreds of scholarships for students of all grade levels, including several dedicated to women across various fields. 

Step 3: Search for Open Scholarships

You can Bold.org’s curated scholarships for women page or search through all the available opportunities. Try experimenting with the filter and search tool, using different keywords and values to find the best scholarships based on your background and educational goals. 

Step 4: Read the Details and Eligibility Criteria

Each scholarship has specific requirements, so ensure you meet them before applying. Some opportunities might be for female students pursuing STEM fields, while others might be for women of a specific heritage or background. Once you confirm you’re eligible, it’s time to start preparing your applications. 

Step 5: Work on Your Applications

When applying, highlight your experiences or challenges as a woman and how they’ve shaped your educational journey. Showcase your dedication, resilience, and vision for the future, whether in an essay, video or throughout your Bold.org profile. 

Step 6: Proofread and Submit

Once you’ve finished the first draft of your application, review it for any errors or inconsistencies. Depending on each scholarship opportunity, ensure you have all the required parts, documents, or recommendations. When you’re ready, submit it and wait to hear back. 

Step 7: Stay Organized and Persistent

Keep track of the scholarships you’ve applied for, their deadlines, and any follow-up steps, if required. If you win, Bold.org will automatically apply the funding to your school’s tuition, making it easy to get financial help. But if you don’t succeed, stay positive and confident! You can keep applying to refine your approach, and eventually, your dedication will pay off. 

Tips for Winning Scholarships for Women

So now you have a good idea of where to look for scholarships, but now you have to get selected to win. There is no way to guarantee that you’ll win all the scholarships that you apply for, but there are ways that you can increase your chances. Here are some helpful tips to consider: 

Tip 1: Embrace Your Unique Perspective

As a woman or female-identifying student, you bring a unique set of experiences and challenges to the table. Use these to your advantage by showing how they’ve shaped your educational journey and aspirations–this personal touch can make your applications stand out. 

Tip 2: Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

While you should apply for as many scholarships as possible, focus on the ones that align with your qualifications and passions. A well-tailored application can increase your chances of success, so prioritize the opportunities that resonate most with you. Still, applying for several scholarships automatically increases your chances of winning, so ensure you have a good mix of opportunities. 

Tip 3: Craft a Captivating Essay

If you apply for scholarships that require a written component, ensure it’s clear, engaging, and adequately answers the prompt. Avoid creating one generic essay; instead, write unique narratives for each scholarship committee that weave in personal anecdotes that showcase your determination and individuality. 

Tip 4: Look for Niche Scholarships

In addition to looking for scholarships for women, branch out and look for other opportunities you may qualify for. For example, you can search for programs based on your major, future career, education level, or personal background. 

Tip 5: Don’t Overlook Smaller Awards

While significant scholarships are more attractive than the ones only worth a few hundred bucks, remember that every penny counts. Smaller awards might have fewer applicants, increasing your chances of winning, and can add up if you apply for several. 

Tip 6: Stay Updated with Bold.org

Regularly check Bold.org for new scholarship opportunities, which often updates with new programs daily. Most scholarships typically prioritize and favor applicants who apply early, so try to get your applications in as soon as possible before everyone else. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Women

Still have scholarship questions? Here are some common questions that you may have. 

Is there a scholarship for being a female?

Yes, there are dozens of scholarships for female students. You can find these opportunities on scholarship platforms like Bold.org or by researching them independently. Your school or financial aid office may know of or offer other opportunities for female students, so be sure to check their website or speak with an advisor. 

Which scholarship is the easiest to get? 

The difficulty of obtaining a scholarship for women will vary, and there’s not necessarily an “easy” scholarship that will apply to everyone. However, female students can find several easy scholarship opportunities, such as no-essay scholarships or ones with minimal application requirements. 

Are scholarships for women legit?

Yes, scholarships for women pursuing higher education are legit. There are scams out there, so it is essential to be careful when applying for scholarships, especially if you are doing so online. An excellent way to avoid these scams is to use reputable sites like Bold.org, which only has legit scholarships for women. 

What’s the best way to apply for scholarships for women?

Bold.org is the best way to apply for scholarships. You can find and filter the scholarships you apply for, as well as keep track of these scholarships after you use them. Bold.org also makes it easy to apply scholarship funding to your tuition, eliminating paperwork and hassle. 

How can I improve my chances of winning scholarships for women?

To boost your chances of winning a scholarship, target scholarships with smaller amounts and specific applicant criteria. Ensure you thoroughly answer the provided essay prompts, adhere to the application requirements, and meet all eligibility criteria. Apply as early as possible and distinguish your applications; don’t just copy and paste the same one. 

How many scholarships for women can you get?

You can apply for and accept as many scholarships for women applicants as you want. Undergraduate and graduate students can pursue as many scholarships as possible to pay for the cost of their education. However, some scholarships may require you to reapply annually for each year you’re enrolled. 

Are scholarships for women taxable income?

Scholarships aren’t usually taxable if used for qualifying educational expenses at an accredited institution, such as tuition, textbooks, and lab fees. However, funds spent on non-educational expenses, such as housing and general living costs, may be considered taxable. For more information, refer to the IRS scholarship guidelines.