It is already a well-known fact that many grants out there are earmarked exclusively for women, in an effort to see more representation in certain fields and levels of study. While women outnumber men in the number of undergraduate degrees awarded, their numbers drop significantly at the post-graduate level. In addition, women have extremely low participation in certain majors, such as those related to physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, and technology. Some grants are designed to help address this issue.

However, there is a whole other set of reasons why women need special assistance to make education possible. One of these can be seen in the non-traditional student category. Non-traditional students are those students who are returning to college after already having worked for several years. They may be seeking to switch careers or achieve higher pay in the field they are already in. Some have worked in retail or service industry jobs and cannot be considered to have had a “career” at all, in the sense that there is no upward mobility available.

Some non-traditional students have also started families, and are returning to school after their children have reached a certain age. For some, this is when they start elementary school – for others, it’s after they graduate high school. This means that non-traditional students can really be of any age.

In the case of women, the element of family changes the picture drastically. Many single-parent households in the US are headed by women. This means that a disproportionate number of women who would like to return to school cannot, due to demands of child care and holding down a job. Complicating the situation are laws in certain states which define student aid as income, which then disqualifies a single mother from receiving welfare – thereby cancelling out the aid and making it impossible to study. Women in these circumstances often also lack additional family and social support, and may also have been victims of violence.

For this reason, many grants are designated especially for economically-disadvantaged women and female non-traditional students. One organization, the Business and Professional Women’s Association, gives special attention to lower-income, minority, and non-traditional students or potential students. In addition, the Jeanette Rankin Foundation provides grants to women who are over 35, especially those studying a technical or professional degree or certificate. Both groups are flexible in terms of the kind and length of program for which they provide assistance.

The not-for-profit organization Raise the Nation dedicates its efforts to single mothers in extreme financial need, with continuing education grants. It also has a program which helps single mothers repay student loans. In addition, the Sunshine Lady Foundation sponsors a Women’s Independence Scholarship which is a grant offered to women who have suffered abuse.

In short, do not be discouraged if it seems impossible for you to return to school or to juggle all your responsibilities. There are many programs and organizations out there that can help you achieve your personal and career goals.