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Where to Net Scholarships for Women at All Levels of Higher Education

By U.S. News & World Report

March 8 marks the annual observation of International Women’s Day. Since the first International Women’s Day in 1911, one of those enduring achievements has been the effort to increase the number of women graduating from college.

To keep that effort going, The Scholarship Coach has rounded up a variety of scholarships geared toward girls and women. Whether you’re a high school student, a college undergrad or a woman returning to school after some time off, these programs can help you achieve your dream of a degree.

Check out [additional college scholarships geared toward women.]

The Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund is the national education fund of the American Business Women’s Association, and it offers nearly a dozen annual scholarships and essay contests. The organization’s awards range from $2,000 all the way up to the $10,000 National President’s Scholarship, offered to a college upperclasswoman studying political science.

Whatever your major or grade level, the SBMEF scholarship listing should be one of the first places you check. These lucrative awards are open for application through May 15.

Another women-in-business organization, Executive Women International, also sponsors a sizable scholarship. The Executive Women International Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors in more than two dozen cities with EWI chapters, and winners on the local chapter level are also entered into the corporate-level competition for awards up to $5,000.

Learn about [unique college scholarship programs for women.]

Deadlines vary and only one student per high school is allowed to apply. High school sophomores and juniors should take note of this one now so they’re ready for upcoming award cycles.

High school juniors and seniors may also want to look into the national scholarship competition from Girls Inc., an education and mentoring organization for girls ages six to 18.

The scholarship program has awarded more than $4.2 million since it was founded in 1993 by a bequest from pioneering aviator Lucile Miller Wright. Last year, Girls Inc. awarded 28 scholarships to college-bound women in fields ranging from STEM to social work.

Applicants must be members of a local Girls Inc. chapter, which are located in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Check out the national website to find a chapter near you.

The programs above are available for women regardless of major or field of study. If you’re in college, or you know what you’re planning to study when you get there, a quick online search for scholarships for women in your is also a good idea. Companies, advocacy groups and women’s professional organizations all tend to offer subject-specific scholarships to national or regional applicants.

Get [in-depth tips and advice on paying for college.]

For women pursuing a career in a financial field, the Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting offers an array of scholarships at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels. Available awards include the $2,000 Institute of Management Accountants scholarship, which includes complimentary CMA exam registration; and the Laurels Fund, which provides Ph.D. accounting students with up to $5,000.

If you hope to work in media, check out scholarship options from the Alliance for Women in Media. The Emerging Voices program offers a $2,500 scholarship plus the opportunity to become a blogger for the Alliance’s website, and the Empowering America competition provides a $3,000 award for the most compelling and unique video celebrating American women.

These are just a few of the specific scholarships available to women in college, so make sure you research your areas of expertise, from aviation to video games. With a little work now, your next International Women’s Day celebration may be a prelude to college graduation.

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Where to Net Scholarships for Women at All Levels of Higher Education originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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