Best Scholarships for Minority Women in Online Degree Programs

This is our guide to the best scholarships for minority women in online degree programs. We’ll also discuss the best steps and useful tips in applying for these scholarships. You’ll get useful information about the resources and services for minority women, too.

Online degree scholarships for women play critical roles in their college education.

Related Articles:

• Understanding the Application Process for Minority Scholarships in Online Education
• Affordable Online Colleges for Minority Students: Top Choices and Resources
• Best Online Colleges with Support for Minority Students
• How Minority Students Can Maximize Financial Aid for Online Learning
• How Online Colleges Support Minority Students: A Breakdown of Essential Services
• Top Scholarships for Minority Students Attending Low-Cost Online Universities

Provide vital financial support for college costs.

Many minority women face significant financial barriers in their college education. These are usually due to their low-income backgrounds or single-mother status. Scholarships can cover a significant part of their cost of attendance.

Enable minority women to pursue their studies with more focus.

With less financial pressure, it’s possible to focus more on your studies. You can spend more time studying and less time worrying about paying for tuition. Better academic performance and progress follow.

Think about the numbers of minority women in higher education, too. Only 21% of Black women and 20% of Latinas earn an undergraduate degree by the age of 29. In contrast, 39% of white women achieve it.

Indeed, scholarships for minority women can boost enrollment and graduation rates. By providing financial support, scholarships bridge the opportunity gap.

In this guide, we’ll discuss both general and specialized scholarships for minority women. Choose the best ones for your needs or, better yet, apply to the programs where you’re eligible.

General Scholarships for Minority Women

The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

This is among the best scholarships for women in online colleges for many reasons. First, these are unrestricted non-tuition grants. Second, these are based on demonstrated financial need. 

There are three grants available to students who identify as women or nonbinary:

• National Grant for students at least 35 years old across the US
• Emerge Grant – Georgia & Montana for students 25 years or older residing in these states
• Tribal Scholar Grant for students 25 years or older and attending a Tribal College

Applicants to these grants must be pursuing the following:

• Technical or vocational education, or
• First associate’s degree, or
• First bachelor’s degree

Applications are assessed based on academic and career goals, among others. Required application materials include an essay, letters of recommendation, and an application form. The application period is from  November 11, 2024, to February 16, 2025.

AAUW Career Development Grants

The Career Development Grants support women pursuing STEM and social sciences education. Grant awards vary from $8,000 for non-degree programs to $20,000 for degree programs.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Either a woman or identify as a woman
• Enrolled or planning to enroll in any eligible degree (second bachelor’s or first master’s) or non-degree program (specialized training or professional certification)
• US citizen or permanent resident

Preference will be provided to first-generation and single-parent household applicants. The deadline for application is on November 15, 2024.

Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Diversity Scholarship

Full-time students who identify as women and minority students can apply for the $3,000 scholarship. The funds are only applicable to tuition, fees, and course-related expenses.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Must be a US citizen
• Enrolled in a graduate program in an eligible STEM field (e.g., aerospace engineering, astronomy, or biometry/biometrics)

Application requirements include:

• Personal statement and summary of relevant work experience
• Synopsis of financial need
• Completed online application
• Current official transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
• Resume

The application deadline is on November 30, 2024.

Specialized Scholarships for Women of Color

Mildred C. Hanson SIOR Memorial Scholarship

The Millie Fund grants two scholarships, each worth $8,000, to aspiring real estate, business, and finance professionals. Eligibility requirements include:

• Female student
• Citizens of the US or Canada
• Either an undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited college
• At least a junior in an undergraduate program
• Plan on pursuing a career in commercial real estate

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Interest in the commercial real estate industry
• Academic performance and extracurricular activities
• Economic situation or need
• Recommendations

Scholarship funds can be used for college-related costs.

UNCF Healthcare Workforce Diversity Program

The program offers excellent scholarships for women of color pursuing healthcare education. At least 800 Black individuals will take part in the comprehensive HBCU pipeline program. This is a partnership between UNCF and AbbVie.

Scholars receive financial support as well as academic and career support. Eligibility requirements include:

• Open to high school graduates and college freshmen and sophomores
• Either US citizen or permanent resident
• Must be African American
• Enrolled in a healthcare-related STEM program (associate’s, bachelor’s, and certification) at an accredited US college
• With demonstrated financial need (FAFSA required)

Up to $5,000 a year in scholarships available. Applications are accepted between December 7, 2024, and January 31, 2025.

James W. Stoudt Memorial Scholarship

The Pennsylvania Bar Association awards the annual Stoudt Memorial Scholarship. Up to three $3,000 scholarships are available. Applications are due December 1, 2024.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Must be a Black, Hispanic or Native American student
• Enrolled in one of the nine accredited law schools in Pennsylvania (University of Pennsylvania School of Law or Temple University Beasley School of Law)
• Demonstrates good academic standing (at least 2.5 GPA)
• With demonstrated financial need

Applicants must complete the application process and submit other required documents. These include letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

Scholarships for First-Generation Learners

Dorrance Scholarship Program

This is among the best scholarships for first-generation learners for many reasons. First, it offers up to $12,000 in scholarships per academic year for four years. Second, it offers not only financial support but also academic support and enrichment experiences.

These include an innovation experience and international travel. Scholars work with dedicated advisors for tutoring and other support services.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Arizona resident
• Current graduating senior, either in a traditional school or home school
• Will be a first-gen college student in their family
• With at least 3.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted)
• Have at least 1110 SAT, 22 ACT, or 72 CLT test scores
• Demonstrate financial need

The Phase I deadline for all applicants is on February 5, 2025 (4:59 PM Arizona Standard Time).

Florida First Generation Matching Grant Program

The FGMG Program supports undergraduate first-gen students who meet these criteria.

• US citizen and Florida resident; eligible noncitizens are also welcome upon consideration
• First-gen student
• Enrolled for at least six credits in a degree program
• Haven’t earned a bachelor’s degree yet
• Demonstrate significant financial need

Application requirements include:

• Completed FAFSA form
• Completed scholarship application form (e.g., PHSC Foundation at the Pasco-Hernando State College​)

Check with your college for the specific deadline. But it usually coincides with the college’s financial aid application deadlines including FAFSA.

First-gen scholarships play crucial roles in the college journey of college students. First, these cover direct and indirect college costs that ease the financial burden. With less financial stress, students can focus on their studies. 

Second, these provide validation and encouragement for their dreams. With systemic barriers in their way, first-gen students thrive with extensive support. Dedicated student support services are common in these programs.

If you’re a first-generation student, these scholarships can break the cycle of poverty. These are only a few examples, so it’s best to widen your net.

Scholarships for Single Mothers

Live Your Dream- Utah Single Mother Scholarship

Live Your Dream offers among the best scholarships for single mothers because of the extensive support. The nonprofit also provides holiday support, care boxes, and back-to-school supplies. There are also family and community events that strengthen bonds among single mothers.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Be a single mother (separated, divorced, or widowed)
• Be the custodial parent with physical custody
• At least one dependent child
• Only adult in the household or live with parents or relatives
• Utah resident (But may attend online out-of-state programs) 
• Enrolled in an accredited college and other education programs
• Demonstrate financial need (FAFSA required)

The application deadline is on November 1, 2024. Up to $3,000 is available for each recipient.

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund

Eligibility requirements include:

• Either an Arkansas resident or live in Bowie County, Texas
• A single parent
• With a high school diploma or GED
• Haven’t earned a bachelor’s degree
• Household income not more than 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.

The application period is between November 1 and December 1, 2024.

Look beyond scholarship programs, too. Many colleges offer support services for single mothers. These include childcare aid, career services, and mentorship programs.

How to Apply for Scholarships: Tips and Best Practices

Accessing financial aid for minority women in online programs isn’t easy. While finding them is easy, getting the money is another story. This is because the best scholarship programs usually have selective or competitive criteria. Even need-based programs consider other factors in the selection process.

With that being said, here are effective scholarship tips for online degree seekers.

• Choose from among affordable online degrees for women first. Affordable tuition and fees mean less scholarship money needed to cover them. You can use the excess for indirect costs.
• Start early in your scholarship search. Create your scholarship calendar with eligibility requirements, application documents, and deadlines. Use both physical and digital calendars to cover your bases.
• Create organized folders of your scholarship documents, both hard and soft copies. Create a checklist for each scholarship program. Check every document as you complete it.
• Perform detailed research on scholarships. Focus on the eligibility requirements and application documents. Many of the application documents demand third-party involvement. So, it makes sense to prepare in advance. Letters of recommendation are an example.
• Follow instructions to the letter. Scholarship applications aren’t the proper venue for non-conformity. Check that your application documents are complete and accurate. Ensure that these are in the proper format and with the recommended substance. Check that these have been submitted to the right office and person.
• Always meet the deadline. Better yet, submit before the deadline so you have time to correct mistakes if allowed.
• Keep copies of every single application document submitted.
• Create a compelling personal statement and/or answers to essays with prompt questions. Highlight your strengths and tell your story. Make a tailored statement for each application, too.
• Submit strong letters of recommendation. Choose people who can give insights into your character and journey.

Applying to scholarship programs demands persistence and patience, too. You will face rejections along the way because it’s part of the process. But keep on applying. Sooner or later, you’ll qualify for scholarships for minority women.

Resources and Support for Minority Women in Online Degree Programs

Here are useful resources and support services that you should look into ASAP. The more resources and support on your side, the easier it is to overcome the challenges in your college journey.

Joining communities for minority women in higher education comes with benefits, too. Networking opportunities, community-building activities, and camaraderie are a few.

For more financial aid opportunities

• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
• The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

For networking and professional development opportunities

• National Coalition of 100 Black Women
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• Latinas in Tech
• Society of Women Engineers

For online-specific support

• Online Learning Consortium
• Women Employed
• Lean In Circles
• National Organization for Women

For mentorship programs and community activities

• Black Girls CODE
• National Latina Business Women Association
• Women of Color in STEM

Your online college likely also offers student support services that can address your needs as a minority student. Tutoring, academic advising, and career advising services are useful. Check out mental health and wellness services, too.

Conclusion: Earning Scholarships for Minority Women

In conclusion, always be on the lookout for college scholarships for minority students. You’ll agree that these will cut your out-of-pocket college expenses. Aside from tuition and fees, you can use them for indirect expenses.

Don’t limit yourself to the scholarships featured above, either. You must look beyond and explore more options. The more scholarships you receive, the better your finances and the better your academics. You’re one step closer to achieving your college dreams despite your challenges.