5 Great Scholarships for Women in Business
Women have traditionally faced unique challenges when it comes to breaking into fields like business leadership and ownership. While many of these hurdles are directly related to factors like discrimination, education and economics also play undeniable roles.
Fortunately, modern students can benefit from scholarships designed to help female students make positive changes in business representation. Here are just a few of the many programs worth learning about.
1. Asian Women In Business Scholarship Fund
This scholarship for women of Asian or Pacific Islander ancestry is open to those women who have already completed at least one successful undergraduate semester, maintained GPAs of 3.0 or higher and received at least one professional recommendation. It should be noted, however, that this one-time, $2,500 scholarship typically receives more applicants than there are funds. The Asian Women In Business organization suggests that successful applicants typically exceed these criteria.
2. Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
This organization, named after the first woman in Congress, has long supported higher education. Since the 1970s, the Jennette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund has provided diverse scholarships for low-income women in pursuit of higher education.
These scholarships are ideal for those who want to go back to school or never had the opportunity. The program is open to any woman above the age of 35 who meets the Fund’s low-income qualifications, is a permanent resident of the United States or U.S citizen and is enrolled in an accredited school. Note that you must be pursuing your first undergraduate degree.
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3. Forté Fellows Program
This scholarship program was specifically designed to increase the prevalence of female MBA students. Those who apply and get accepted to participating schools can pursue fellowship status through those institutions, which choose who qualifies as Forté Fellows. Considerations like leadership, community involvement and diversity are all taken into account when picking eligible fellows.
Forté Fellows typically excel academically and socially. For instance, those in the class of 2016 had average GMAT scores of 701 and around 4.71 years of work experience. The program also provides part-time and executive awards.
4. C200 Scholar Awards
The Committee of 200, whose members include some of the most successful female entrepreneurs on the planet, offers scholarships to women MBA students with leadership potential. Those who distinguish themselves receive up to $10,000 for business school. They also get to use the exclusive C200 Scholar Network, which may help them learn from the greats as they connect with others.
C200 Scholar Award candidates must be enrolled in MBA programs that host C200 Reachouts. The scholarship fund caters to candidates who support other women and display entrepreneurial acumen.
5. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
This program focuses on women who have demonstrated their ability to excel in business. It provides 12 international scholarship awards of $7,000 annually, which may not completely cover tuition, but they can be a major help for someone seeking to supplement their education funding. The scholarship also facilitates 32 regional awards of $1,000 each.
Prospective scholars need to submit their applications through Zonta International clubs. This scholarship has provided funding to more than 330 women from 50 countries, and it’s known for being extremely competitive.
Female students who pursue business education scholarships do more than further their own academic careers. Their work also normalizes the presence of women in business and inspires others to follow in their footsteps.