Top Scholarships for Women to Apply for This Year

Imagine walking into your dream college with a financial cushion that eases the stress of tuition and textbooks. Scholarships for women can turn this vision into reality, offering a range of opportunities tailored just for you. Whether you’re a high school senior ready to take on college life, an undergraduate aiming to minimize student debt, or a graduate student pushing the boundaries of your field, there’s a scholarship designed to support your journey.

These scholarships aren’t just about financial aid—they’re about empowering you to reach your full potential. They can help you focus on your studies, explore new interests, and excel in your chosen field without the constant worry of how to cover costs.

After an in-depth analysis of different scholarship opportunities, we gathered a list of scholarships for women to help fund your college education. We chose to highlight scholarships from Bold.org because it is a reputable platform known for its commitment to supporting students. From merit-based awards to those supporting specific identities or career goals, these opportunities can provide the boost you need to make college more affordable and less stressful. Let’s dive into how these scholarships can open doors and make your academic dreams more achievable.

Applying for scholarships can help you make college more affordable. Apply today to maximize your scholarship awards!

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 are for young women finishing high school, while others are for undergraduate or graduate students. Let’s take a closer look at the types of scholarships available for women pursuing college.

Merit-Based Scholarships

These scholarships reward academic excellence. They’re usually based on factors like GPA, standardized test scores (ACT, SAT, AP exams), or other academic achievements. Some colleges offer merit-based scholarships to women in their incoming classes, while other organizations may require you to submit your scores separately.

Keep in mind that if you receive a recurring academic scholarship from your college, you might need to maintain a minimum GPA to continue receiving funds.

Browse these merit-based scholarships today!

Athletic Scholarships

Athletic scholarships are often awarded based on your skills in a particular sport. Coaches from interested schools often scout talented female athletes during the sports season and might offer scholarships based on their performance.

If you accept an athletic scholarship, be prepared for a significant time commitment, including playing for the college’s sports team. So consider if you can handle a college course load alongside time on the court or field.

Identity/Student-Specific Scholarships

These scholarships are for specific groups based on identity. While there are scholarships just for women, there are also those targeted at women from particular backgrounds, such as black women or women from disadvantaged communities. These scholarships aim to support female students from marginalized communities, often to promote diversity and inclusion.

Major/Career-Specific Scholarships

Major-based scholarships are available for women studying specific fields. They can range from broad categories like STEM majors to more specific ones like neuroscience. For graduate students, some scholarships are tied to the department rather than a declared major.

Female graduate students interested in pursuing master’s degrees should browse these master’s degree scholarships to reduce grad school costs!

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 women find scholarships for college.

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 because of the massive number of online scholarships, but using the internet can also help you find the best scholarships for you. 

For example, Bold.org has many 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. It allows you to filter out scholarships you don’t qualify for and save ones you might apply to in the future.

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. They might know about scholarships or refer you to other helpful contacts.

Another good place to look for scholarships is local businesses or organizations that women lead to see if they sponsor scholarships for female students. 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 searching and applying for scholarships, we recommend using Bold.org to help you get the process started. Here’s how: 

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 that 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 many 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, a video, or through 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 use Bold.org and win scholarships on the platform, 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 and refining your approach. Remember, your dedication will pay off. 

Tips for Winning Scholarships for Women

Here are some tips to improve your chances of winning scholarships:

Tip 1: Embrace Your Unique Perspective

As a woman, 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. Even 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 win many.

Tip 6: Stay Updated with Bold.org

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Women

Is There a Scholarship for Being a Female?

Yes, there are dozens of scholarships for female students looking to obtain a college degree. 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 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 scholarship programs or ones with minimal application requirements to help them earn scholarship money.

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 legitimate, vetted scholarships for female college students. 

What’s the Best Resource for Applying for Women’s Scholarships?

Bold.org is the best resource for applying for college 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, like, for example, a scholarship looking to support university women pursuing graduate school with a degree in computer science. 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 Can You Get?

You can apply for and accept as many scholarships for women applicants as you want. High school seniors, 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. Be sure to read the description and criteria thoroughly.

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.

Are you planning on pursuing a bachelor’s degree? Apply for these undergraduate scholarships today!