Empowering Futures: A Comprehensive Guide to Master's Scholarships for Women

Graduate school represents a transformative journey, offering opportunities to deepen expertise and unlock career potential. However, the financial burden of advanced education can be a significant barrier, particularly for women who often face systemic economic and social inequalities. Scholarships designed specifically for women pursuing master's degrees play a crucial role in leveling the playing field and enabling them to achieve their academic and professional aspirations.

The Importance of Scholarships for Women in Graduate Education

Many female graduate students face exceptional difficulty attaining advanced degrees and entering the workforce; these difficulties can be financial, personal, or related to the gender-based inequality women continue to face in society. Women face many unique difficulties in their pursuit of higher education. Though female college students outnumber their male peers, making up more than 56% of current college students, they are still underrepresented in many fields. Moreover, female students owe a disproportionate amount of the national student loan debt, collectively owing $929 billion - nearly two-thirds of the total student debt in the US. This inequality is exacerbated by systemic economic sexism, like the wage gap between men and women. In high-paying fields, men can sometimes earn up to 43% more than women. Though these numbers are troubling, financial aid is available to support women pursuing graduate degrees by lessening the financial burden of higher education. Unlike student loans, scholarship awards are a form of gift aid, meaning they don't have to be paid back and are free money that can offset the costs of higher education, including graduate school. Though a gender gap persists in both employment and wages, financial assistance from scholarships can provide opportunities for female graduate students pursuing careers in male-dominated fields, such as STEM fields, and can help women strive for high-paying jobs. Younger women can also take advantage of scholarship opportunities! Whether an applicant is a female undergraduate college student or part of another group, such as female high school seniors, there are plenty of scholarships available.

Understanding Graduate Scholarships for Women

Graduate scholarships for women are a form of financial aid available to university women who are pursuing a graduate degree. In some cases, these scholarships can be available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Many scholarships for university women serve to break down the barriers faced by women pursuing a graduate program. In particular, financial aid can help women enter a variety of male-dominated fields, as costs can often prevent female college students from being able to achieve their personal and professional goals. These scholarships may be exclusive to women in graduate school, but graduate students can apply for other scholarships for which they are eligible as well, regardless of whether it is specific to those attending graduate school. For instance, a scholarship may be open to female high school seniors as well as those pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. In this case, the scholarship is not explicitly for graduate school students alone, but would still be open to women pursuing a graduate degree.

Types of Graduate Scholarships for Women

Graduate scholarships for women can be categorized by field, type of degree program, school, age, and identity. All university women should look into scholarships more specifically geared to their strengths and identities; the narrower the applicant pool, the better one's chance of winning!

STEM Scholarships: These scholarships support women pursuing graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. They address the underrepresentation of women in these crucial areas and encourage their contributions to innovation and research.

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Scholarships for Women of Color: Recognizing the intersectional challenges faced by women of color, these scholarships provide financial assistance to break cycles of poverty and enable access to higher education. They aim to address disparities in employment rates, education outcomes, and wages.

Women of color face many hurdles related to their race/ethnicity as well as their gender. There are significant divides in employment rates, education outcomes, and wages between white women and women of color. Students of color are most likely to take out loans, with 84.3% of Black Bachelor’s degree students taking out loans for the 2015-2016 year, followed by 83.0% of Alaska Native and American Indian/Native American students and 72.2% of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students. Student loan disparities are made even worse due to the racial wage gap that disadvantages Black and Latinx workers, a discrepancy impacted by the underemployment of workers of color. Scholarships can help break women of color out of cycles of poverty and allow them to pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees to achieve their career goals.

Scholarships for Black Women: These scholarships address the specific barriers faced by Black women due to the intersection of racism and sexism. They provide essential financial support to level the playing field and encourage their participation in high-paying fields.

Though they are women of color, Black women face many more specific barriers to success brought on by the unique oppression faced by Black people, as well as the intersection of racism and sexism they face in everyday life. With these difficulties in mind, financial assistance becomes more essential than ever to help level the playing field for marginalized individuals. The disparity in education between white and Black adults combined with the disparities between men and women place Black women at a particular disadvantage in reaching professional and personal goals. These circumstances also contribute to the underrepresentation of Black workers in high-paying fields, such as management, STEM, and law, and which can be discouraging for any black women looking to join a graduate program. Black female graduate students should also consider Bold.org's scholarships for Black students.

Location-Based Scholarships: Some scholarships are specifically for women who attend a particular college or university or who live in a certain state.

Finding the Right Scholarship Opportunities

Finding scholarships is just one part of the grad school journey. Scout College Search Use Scout College Search to explore grad programs that match your interests, career goals, and budget. Scholarships by Major Not all scholarships are general. Some are designed for specific fields like engineering, education, or public health. Scholarships for Adults Going back to school after some time in the workforce? Scholarships for Women Women pursuing graduate degrees in male-dominated fields-or any field-can find support through scholarships for women. Scholarships by State Some scholarships are location-based.

Online Scholarship Databases

Start with trusted sources like Scholly Scholarships and your school’s financial aid office. Use filters to narrow by degree type, major, and eligibility. Hot tip! Most scholarships have deadlines between January and May, but some are open year-round. Grad school is a big move-and scholarships can make it way more doable. Whether you're diving into a master’s program, switching careers, or leveling up your expertise, there’s funding out there with your name on it. Start early, stay organized, and don’t be afraid to apply for more than one. You’ve got this-and Sallie’s here to help every step of the way.

Bold.org: This platform offers a wide range of exclusive scholarships for female students in graduate programs seeking financial aid. These scholarships provide financial assistance to encourage women enrolled in graduate schools already, as well as female undergraduate students who are considering graduate school.
University Financial Aid Offices: Contacting the university’s financial aid or scholarship office for additional info is the best way to find out what graduate school scholarships are available.
GoGrad.org: This website lists more narrowly focused scholarships for grad students.

Female graduate students can find scholarships by searching the Bold.org scholarships page by education level and selecting "Graduate." Next, filter the category to "Women" and make sure you are looking only at available scholarship opportunities by toggling the status to "Open." There are many scholarships available to both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as some exclusively offered to individuals in graduate school. Students can also look at specific scholarship groups geared to their strengths and identities. There are also scholarships that are exclusively available to applicants who demonstrate financial need.

Tips for Narrowing Your Search

Make a list of nouns that describe you-things like Latina, engineering major, Nebraska resident, child of a teacher, adopted. Once you’ve got 5-10, choose one you think will yield the best results and search for scholarships for that descriptor. While there are plenty of awards available to all candidates who meet certain criteria, there are also many specific graduate school scholarships for women. Below, you will find a list of some of the best graduate school scholarships for women. By applying to as many as you may qualify for, it’s possible to maximize your financial aid and make college that much more affordable.

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How to Apply for Graduate Scholarships

These tips can help as you get ready to apply for graduate student scholarships. There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out! Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay-different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.

Application Requirements

The exact application and eligibility requirements vary with each scholarship program, so it's important to look over the scholarship description before applying. Scholarships generally require some type of submission to apply and may include additional materials like transcripts or work samples. Some graduate scholarships require students to be pursuing a particular field of study or studying in a particular graduate program. Additionally, some scholarships require a minimum GPA or a submission of a transcript, so students should also be mindful that academic performance can be a factor in graduate school scholarships for women. Every scholarship is different and requires some time and effort, so always check the exact requirements of the scholarship for which you are applying to make sure you've met all qualifications to be considered.

Strategies for a Successful Application

Always reference the application and eligibility requirements of the graduate scholarships for women in which you are interested to make sure you are a good fit and better your chances of success. Check these materials before beginning your essay or application so that you don't waste any time on opportunities you don't qualify for. There are scholarships specific to female graduate students who wish to enter a specific field while there are others open to all students. For instance, one scholarships may be awarded only to a graduate student studying computer science, while another may be for women engineers pursuing a bachelor's degree. Scholarships are typically awarded based on a writing sample or demonstration of interest. There are also women's graduate scholarships that are only available to applicants who demonstrate financial need or who have a particular identity. Narrow, specific scholarships will likely have smaller application pools than scholarships for all women or those for all graduate students. The fewer eligible applicants there are, the more likely you'll be to win! Since there's less competition for narrow scholarships, students should consider scholarships with many criteria, such as scholarships specifically for people with particular identities, financial and educational backgrounds, or fields of interest. There are also scholarships exclusively available to students who attend a particular college or university or who live in a certain state. Though many graduate scholarships for women are only awarded one time, there are also many opportunities that are awarded annually. Female students can apply for these scholarships each year of graduate school for additional chances to earn financial support.

Another way to increase your chances of winning scholarships for women is to make your profile on Bold.org strong. Donors look for profiles that are fully filled out, with detailed descriptions. The more thoroughly you fill in your Bold.org profile and the more bold points you have, the more likely you are to attract the attention of those deciding on scholarship winners. Moreover, some scholarships (including several on this list) are only available to applicants with a minimum number of bold points.

Tips for Standing Out on Your Application

If you want to rise to the top in a sea of scholarship applicants, pay attention to the details and customize each scholarship application. A general rule of thumb is to highlight what sets you apart as well as how your background and future goals align with the values of the scholarship committee. Carefully answer each section, from listing your extracurriculars to writing a thoughtful essay, to submit a top-notch application. Here are specific strategies to stand out in each section of your applications:

Beef up your extracurriculars: Don’t just list your extracurriculars. Explain what you learned and how you grew from your participation. For example, if you were president of your sorority as an undergrad, don’t just list your title. Instead, list the specific philanthropic events you organized and how those relate to your master’s degree and to the scholarship committee’s values.
The more scholarships, the merrier: Like graduate school applications, receiving scholarships is a numbers game. Unlike graduate school applications, applying doesn’t stop once you’re in a graduate program. One of the biggest mistakes students make is only applying at the beginning of their degree. Instead, set aside time each semester to apply for scholarships. You’ll have more experience with each semester too, making you a more competitive candidate.
Apply to scholarships with more eligibility requirements: While it’s great to apply to as many scholarships as you can, prioritize the ones with more eligibility requirements. The more specific the eligibility requirements, the fewer qualified applicants there will be and the better chance you have of getting the scholarship. For example, winning a scholarship for Jewish women from Cleveland, Ohio, who are getting their master’s in engineering will be less competitive than winning a scholarship for all women in the United States going into a STEM field.
Collect stellar letters of recommendation: A common misconception is that your letters of recommendation are out of your control. This could not be further from the truth. When someone agrees to write you a letter of recommendation, give them a brief overview of the values of the scholarship committee and the experience you have that relates to these values and your professional goals. This makes it easy for your recommenders to incorporate specific accomplishments in their letters.
Wow with your essay: Your essay shouldn’t just tell the scholarship committee why you’re the right choice. It should paint a picture of how the scholarship would contribute to your education, local community, and academic discipline. If you tell the story of the day you fell in love with education and decided to get your master’s, your essay will stand out more than if you just reiterate a laundry list of extracurriculars.
Turn your application in as early as possible: Try to be the first in line for turning in your scholarship applications, especially for ones with rolling acceptance. Even for those that don’t have rolling acceptance, submitting your application before the deadline demonstrates initiative. A great tip to make sure you turn applications in on time is to mark the due dates in your calendar and set up notifications or reminders for application due dates.
Apply locally and regionally: Local and regional scholarships will be easier to get than national or international scholarships because the pool of applicants is smaller. With these applications, highlight your ties to your local community. Consider writing an essay about how your community has impacted you or how you give back to your city or region.

Notable Scholarship Programs for Women

Here are some examples of scholarship programs designed to support women in their graduate studies:

AAUW American Fellowships: This program provides funding and resources to women pursuing doctoral degrees. It’s awarded based on academic merit, commitment to helping girls and women, and dissertation originality and impact. The award amount ranges from $8,000 to $50,000.
AAUW Career Development Grants: This scholarship is for women with a bachelor’s degree who are applying for a master’s or different bachelor’s degree in the fields of education, STEM, social sciences, or health and medical sciences. Award amounts vary from $2,000 to $20,000 and must be used toward educational expenses, living expenses, dependent care, and/or travel to meetings, conferences, and seminars.
AAUW International Fellowships: If you’re not a US citizen but want to attend graduate school in the states, this fellowship might be for you. It provides $20,000 to $50,000 in aid for female international graduate students. To apply, your bachelor’s degree must be from a college or university in the United States and you must return to your home country after earning your master’s degree.
AAUW Selected Professions Fellowships: This $20,000 fellowship is designed to provide funding to women pursuing master’s degrees in fields with low female participation. To apply, your graduate degree should be in computer science, engineering, architecture, or mathematics. Women of color may also be pursuing degrees in medicine, business administration, or law.
Amelia Earhart Fellowship: If you’re pursuing a doctoral program in aerospace engineering or space sciences, consider this $10,000 scholarship. You must be enrolled in a full-time doctoral program or hold a master’s in an aerospace-applied field at the time of your application. Applicants who are members of Zonta (or are related to a member) are ineligible.
AWMF Ford Emerging Voices Scholarship: This $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a female graduate or undergraduate student working toward a degree in media. Candidates must create a video or audio piece about why women’s voices in media are important. The winner also receives mentorship from a board member of the Alliance for Women in Media.
AWMF Ford Empowering America Scholarship: This $5,000 scholarship is intended to aid one student pursuing a career as talent in cable, television, radio, or digital media. To apply, candidates profile or interview a female role model who serves as a leader in their community. The selected candidate will also have the opportunity to conduct interviews for the Faces of Ford Fund program.
AWSCPA Scholarships: Each year, four female students working toward an undergraduate or master’s degree in accounting are awarded this $5,000 scholarship. To be considered, you should show significant leadership skills, academic achievement, and future career interests in accounting.
Newsette No-Essay Leadership Scholarship for Women: The $1,000 Newsette No-Essay Leadership Scholarship for Women will be awarded to applicants who get the most out of The Newsette; the next deadline is August 1, 2022.
The GIST Women’s Sports Business Scholarship: The GIST Women’s Sports Business Scholarship, an exclusive $1,000 scholarship for applicants who get the most out of The GIST. Students applying within earlier application windows will have a greater chance of winning the award; the next deadline is August 1, 2022.
Taking Up Space Scholarship: This $500 scholarship seeks to empower and encourage women who are pursuing careers in male-dominated fields and paving the way for the next generation of women. Any first-generation female student with 400+ Bold points who is an underrepresented minority (such as BIPOC or LGBTQ+ students) and pursuing a male-dominated field (such as STEM, software development, or the trades) may apply for this scholarship by July 1, 2022.
Women’s History Scholarship: The $500 Women’s History Scholarship seeks to support female students so they can complete their degrees and go on to promising careers. Any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who identifies as female may apply for this scholarship by July 31, 2022.
Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship: This $500 scholarship is open to female students at any educational level and field of study who intend to enter a technical or non-technical career that leverages technology to make the world a better place. The deadline is October 31, 2022.

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