Free Money For College-Bound Women Is Out There

Are you a female undergrad pursuing a degree in science, mathematics, engineering or video-game design and need extra cash to help pay that high tuition price? Who doesn't need help with tuition, right?

The first place to start is your own college or university's campus: Many schools offer grants and scholarships specific to the school.  After you do that, also check out this list of eight scholarships from national organizations that we've compiled for you.

Note that most of the deadlines have passed for this year. The due dates for applications are mostly between October and April for the following year. But this is your chance to get organized  -- get prepared! -- a year in advance! If you are not college-bound yourself but now of a young lady in high school interested in majoring in science, engineering, math, and/or technology, this is an invaluable list to forward on.

1.) AWIS Educational Foundation

Amount: Awards range from $500-$1,000.

Deadline: January 23

The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) offers both predoctoral and undergraduate grants. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors majoring in any kind of science are welcome to apply. There are a few special awards, including the Kirsten R. Lorentzen award for a sophomore or junior undergrad majoring in physics or geosciences. Send all application materials to .

2.) Alice T. Schaefer Prize Association for Women in Mathematics

Amount: Varies

Deadline: October 1

Sponsored by the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM), this award is for a female undergraduate excelling in mathematics. Criteria include the value of the nominees' participation in courses and special programs, demonstration of dedication to the field, ability to work independently, and also performance in mathematical contests. You need a letter of nomination addressing all of these things, and have five copies sent to the address on the website, as they do not accept emailed nominations.

3.) Society of Women Engineers Freshmen Scholarships

Amount: Awards range in price from $1,000 to $5,000 per year.

If you are a woman entering your first year of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university, then you need to apply to one (or more) of the sixteen scholarships that SWE offers. Awards range in price from $1,000 to $5,000 per year and some are renewable for all four years.

4.) The Vanguard Women in Information Technology Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $8,000

Vanguard offers merit-based scholarships of up to $8,000 for females who are majoring in computer science, computer engineering, web design, or any other IT-related major. Applicants must be going into their senior year of college and must be enrolled as full-time students at an accredited four-year university or college. Over the years Vanguard has given over $140,000 to female students in need. Check back to the site in August to apply for the 2010 program.

5.) The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship

Amount: Winners will receive a $10,000 award and finalists will receive $1,000 awards.

Dr. Anita Borg (1949-2003) was an activist in her adult life, trying to break down the barriers that keep women and minorities from getting involved in computing and technology fields. Her work inspired countless women to enter these professions. This award has been set up in her honor. Applicants must be female, entering their senior year of study, and must keep a cumulative 3.5 GPA on the 4.0 scale. Applicants have already been picked for this year, but all are encouraged to apply for next year's award.

6.) The Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) G.I.R.L. Scholarship

Amount: The winner will receive up to $10,000 to fund college tuition and other expenses.

Deadline: April 24

If you are an undergrad female pursuing video game design or another related field, you need to apply to this award! "There are a significant number of women who are gamers, but not enough working in the video game field," said Torrie Dorrell, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. With the help of this award, the hope is that more young women will enter the field of designing video games, instead of just playing them.

7.) Renate W. Chasman Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: April 1

If you are a female enrolled in an undergraduate program after a break in your education, you need to look into this award. Applicants must be working towards a degree in the natural sciences, engineering or mathematics, and must be a junior or senior. Please note that only residents of Long Island in New York State will be considered.

8.) The AAUW Fellowships and Grants

Amount: $5,000 to $12,000

Deadline: January 10

These generous fellowships are granted to female undergrad and graduate students who are majoring in programs that are traditionally dominated by men. These programs include architecture, computer/information sciences, engineering, and mathematics/statistics. Other fellowships are offered to female students of color in business administration, law, and medicine.


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Devin McDonald is an editorial intern and weekly blogger for Under The Microscope.

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smo June 06, 2009 162.84.254.84	This is terrific information that I'm forwarding to some high school students.

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