You might find you need to go back to school later in life.
Additional education gives you an advantage over the competition. Additionally, the grades and info on your resume can give you the confidence to go after the job you feel you deserve. Women over the age of 50 have watched the role of women change in their lifetime and may find the need to continue their education. Additionally, they have accumulated the life experience not often found in traditional students. There are scholarships that address the specific needs and circumstances of a woman over 50 years old.
Age Specific Scholarships
The Talbots Charitable Foundation awards scholarships to women seeking an undergraduate degree who earned their high school diploma or GED at least 10 years ago. The Jeanette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to low-income women 35 and older. The University of Wisconsin offers the Alma Baron Second Chance for Women scholarship for female applicants who are more than 45 years old. The AARP Foundation offers scholarships for women over the age of 40 and is funded by Wal-Mart.
Organizational Scholarships
The American Association of University Women offers several fellowships, scholarships, grants and awards for women of all ages and all walks of life. Check the local chapters of organizations like the American Association of University Women, as well as the national headquarters for all available scholarships. Also, look for scholarships from organizations within the field you are in. For example, the Association for Women in Science awards scholarships for women pursuing a degree in biology, chemistry, and physics.
Women in Transition
Many women face transitions in their lives that leave them to fend for themselves. A divorce, an empty nest or a job loss can make it so that a woman looks to extend her education to take care of herself and or her children. Each chapter of the Executive Women International offers a Adult Students in Scholastic Transition Scholarship. Each year, 12 scholarships are awarded to women who are going through a transition in their lives. Candidates can also be single parents, women just entering the work force or displaced workers. Tuition money can also be also be used for childcare and other necessary expenses.
At 50 years old, it is possible that a woman could be making a life transition as a result of an abusive relationship. The Women's Independence Scholarship Program, Inc. provides scholarships to women survivors of intimate partner violence. Finally, the Philanthropic Educational Organization Program for Continuing Education provides need-based grants for women who are returning to school to support themselves after their education has been interrupted.
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