For black women age 50 years and older, returning to school can pose a significant financial challenge. Fortunately, there are many grants and scholarships specifically focused on this segment of the population.
Business and Professional Women’s Foundation
The Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation seeks to provide financial assistance to women age 25 and older who wish to attend school, by maintaining a database of scholarships for this category of women. BPW Foundation is particularly focused on women who are transitioning out of the military. In 2006, the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation received matching funds to establish a scholarship fund.
Scholarships BPW Foundation 2012 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 293-1100 bpwfoundation.org
Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Education Support Award
The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation was established in 2003. Named for the first woman of color to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, the Foundation seeks to offer low-income women with children the opportunity to return to school. Five Education Support Awards are awarded annually, in amounts up to $2,000, to assist women in their pursuit of educational or training goals.
Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation P.O. Box 479 Honolulu, Hawaii 96809 patsyminkfoundation.org/
Women’s independence Scholarship Program, Inc.
The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program, Inc. reaches out specifically to women involved with domestic violence and abuse. Whether women have been victims of domestic violence, or are working in the field of domestic violence to provide assistance and support to victims, they can qualify for an annual scholarship of $2,000. The organization is dedicated to offering support beyond financial assistance, in its vision to end domestic violence.
Women’s Independence Scholarship Program, Inc. 4900 Randall Parkway, Suite H Wilmington, NC 28403 (901) 397-7742 wispinc.org/
American Association of University Women Foundation
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Foundation offers support in many areas, including fellowships, grants and scholarships to women nationwide. Besides financial assistance for school, other areas of support include educational resources and legal assistance regarding sex discrimination in higher education, just to name two. Five different fellowship and grant programs offer financial assistance to women who are either pursuing degrees or who desire to impact their communities.
AAUW 2201 N. Dodge Street Iowa City, IA 52243-4030 (319) 337-1716 aauw.org
References
Writer Bio
Laurel Harper began writing and editing professionally in 1989 and her work has appeared in various publications. Currently, Harper is an online adjunct business professor. She earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from Wharton, a Master of Business Administration from Eastern University and is pursuing a Doctor of Instructional Technology at Duquesne University.