Best Scholarships for Women in 2025

Women pursuing higher education have historically faced financial, cultural, and institutional barriers. While progress has been made, challenges still remain, especially for women breaking into male-dominated industries, supporting families while in school, or returning to education later in life. Scholarships for women do more than offset the cost of tuition. They celebrate leadership, encourage representation in underrepresented fields, and help build the next generation of changemakers.

Whether you are a graduating high school senior, a STEM student, a mother supporting a family, or a woman pursuing graduate-level research, there are scholarships designed specifically for you. Below, we’ve compiled some of the top scholarships for women in 2025 and beyond.

Scholarships for Women With Upcoming Deadlines

P.E.O. STAR Scholarship

• Award Amount: $2,500
• Deadline: October 15, 2025
• Who It’s For: Graduating high school women excelling in academics, leadership, and service.

This competitive scholarship recognizes well-rounded young women preparing to enter college. With an emphasis on leadership and community service, it celebrates students who have made a strong impact during high school and are ready to continue that momentum at the next level.

Girls Make Games Scholarship Fund

• Award Amount: $10,000 (spread across four years)
• Deadline: May 1, 2025
• Who It’s For: Women and non-binary students pursuing careers in gaming.

Launched to create pathways for women in the video game industry, this scholarship not only provides funding but also offers mentorship, internship opportunities, and career development support. It’s ideal for students passionate about technology and creative storytelling.

STEM Scholarship for Women (Mensa Foundation)

• Award Amount: $7,000
• Deadline: January 15, 2026
• Who It’s For: Women and transgender women studying STEM.

As part of Mensa’s mission to support intellectual achievement, this scholarship highlights the importance of women in STEM. It’s aimed at students pursuing fields like science, engineering, or technology where gender equity is still lacking.

YWCA Elgin Youth Leadership Award & Scholarship

• Award Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: March 6, 2025
• Who It’s For: Female high school seniors in School District U-46 (Illinois).

This local award empowers young women leaders who embody the YWCA’s mission of advancing equity and community service. It’s a strong option for students who have combined academics with volunteerism and advocacy.

Harriet Fitzgerald Scholarship

• Award Amount: $10,000
• Deadline: February 1, 2025
• Who It’s For: Women attending U.S. women’s colleges.

Sponsored by the Sunflower Initiative, this competitive award celebrates students pursuing liberal arts at women’s colleges. It recognizes outstanding academics, leadership, and a commitment to contributing positively to society.

Science Ambassador Scholarship

• Award Amount: $20,000
• Deadline: December 15, 2025
• Who It’s For: Women and non-binary students in STEM.

Offered by Cards Against Humanity, this unique scholarship fully funds STEM undergraduates and includes the opportunity to create an educational video as part of the application. It is both prestigious and creative, encouraging women to share their passion for science.

Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant

• Award Amount: Up to $2,500
• Deadline: February 13, 2026
• Who It’s For: Women and non-binary students age 35+ returning to school.

This grant honors Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress, by supporting adult learners pursuing degrees or vocational training. It’s especially valuable for women balancing education with family and career responsibilities.

Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship

• Award Amount: $10,000
• Deadline: November 15, 2025
• Who It’s For: Women pursuing Ph.D. research in aerospace sciences.

Since 1938, this fellowship has encouraged women to break barriers in aerospace engineering and space sciences. It remains one of the most prestigious awards for female researchers in STEM at the doctoral level.

AAUW Career Development Grants

• Award Amount: Up to $8,000
• Deadlines: October 7, 2025; December 31, 2025; March 31, 2026
• Who It’s For: Women pursuing certificates or training in STEM or leadership.

These grants are designed to help women advance professionally, particularly in high-demand fields where women are underrepresented. They provide critical resources for career changers, upskillers, and women re-entering the workforce.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund

• Award Amount: Up to $12,500
• Deadline: December 15, 2025
• Who It’s For: International women pursuing graduate study in the U.S. or Canada.

This fund helps international women pursue graduate degrees with the expectation that they will return home to create positive change. It emphasizes global peace and cross-cultural impact.

Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards

• Award Amount: Up to $16,000
• Deadline: November 15, 2025
• Who It’s For: Women who are the primary financial supporters of their families.

This program provides flexible education funding to women balancing education with caregiving responsibilities. It is one of the most impactful awards for women seeking economic empowerment.

AAUW St. Paul Scholarship Trust

• Award Amount: $4,000 per year (renewable up to 4 years)
• Deadline: March 28, 2025
• Who It’s For: High-achieving women in the St. Paul, MN area.

This long-running local scholarship invests in women from the St. Paul metro area. With renewable funding and mentorship, it provides consistent support for women pursuing bachelor’s degrees.

Why Scholarships for Women Are Important

For generations, women have faced barriers in accessing higher education. Today, while women earn the majority of undergraduate degrees in the U.S., inequities remain, particularly in STEM fields, leadership roles, and among women balancing family responsibilities. Scholarships tailored for women are critical because:

• They reduce systemic inequities: Many awards focus on women in underrepresented fields or on women returning to education after family or career interruptions.
• They honor leadership and resilience: These scholarships recognize not just academics, but also community impact, volunteerism, and perseverance through adversity.
• They empower future changemakers: Women who receive scholarships often go on to lead in industries, organizations, and communities, multiplying the impact of each award.
• They create pathways for representation: By supporting women in spaces like aerospace, gaming, and finance, scholarships ensure that women’s voices and perspectives are heard where they are most needed.

In short, scholarships for women are both an investment in individuals and a powerful driver of progress for society.

Tips for Applying to Women’s Scholarships

Highlight Leadership and Impact: Many scholarships for women value leadership and community involvement just as much as grades. Be specific about your contributions.

Tell Your Story: Share your challenges and triumphs, whether it’s breaking into a male-dominated field, balancing family responsibilities, or being the first in your family to pursue higher education.

Focus on Fit: Each scholarship has its own mission. Tailor your essays and applications to reflect how your goals align with their values.

Stay Organized: Many women’s scholarships have early deadlines. Create a calendar with dates, requirements, and recommendation requests to stay ahead.

Apply to Both Local and National Awards: Large, well-known scholarships are competitive, but local awards often have fewer applicants and can provide equally meaningful support