For women who are well past what would be considered the usual age for attending college, the challenges in terms of beginning or completing their higher education may be numerous. Juggling family commitments may be difficult, but financial constraints may be even more of an issue. Scholarships for women over 40, however, can enable many women to reach their ultimate scholastic and occupational goals.
The very first thing you need to do is to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In order to receive any monies for school, whether through scholarships, grants or loans, you must have a FAFSA on file.
For many women, particularly those over 40, college education may have necessarily ended with no thought, desire, or plan to attend graduate school. For many occupations, a lack of graduate school experience may keep you from advancing or even being hired outright. Fortunately there are scholarships designed to assist women in this sort of situation, and thousands of dollars are awarded annually by various scholarly organizations dedicated to helping women further their education. Whether your educational or career path involves engineering or history, for example, you may find scholarships that support your endeavors.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers scholarships for women over 40. To qualify for a scholarship you must be enrolled in an accredited institution, be pursuing a technical certificate, associate degree, or bachelor's degree and have a true financial need due to low income. When awarding these scholarships, priority is given to individuals who have been out of the workforce at least 5 years and to people in a low-paying job with no career opportunities. Other factors they consider include personal circumstances and achievements, educational background, career goals, challenges in life you have had to face and the impact of your education on your life and your community.
There are still other scholarship opportunities. The Brill Family Scholarship is awarded to women majoring in engineering. To qualify you must have completed your freshman year and have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA. The Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) also offers a variety of scholarships that range in value from $1,000 to $7,000.
Many women often let their age or circumstances impede their goal of achieving a higher education. It is virtually never too late, however, to move past such feelings and make a legitimate attempt. With diligence, opportunities to receive financial assistance may be nearer than imagined.
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