AARP Women's Scholarship Program

AARP Women's Scholarship Program is about creating chances, fostering opportunities and, ultimately, changing lives. Recipients of these scholarships are diverse and inspirational: A widow finding hope and opportunity through education; a recovering addict achieving her dream of graduating from college; a grandmother raising grandchildren with the hope of achieving a more secure future for her family.

Research shows women are less likely to have enough money in the second half of their lives because of lower earnings and different work patterns. AARP Foundation created the Women's Scholarship Program in August 2007 to help older women overcome financial and employment barriers by allowing them to participate in education and training opportunities they otherwise could not afford. In 2010, more than $450,000 in educational scholarships was awarded to 200 women nationwide.

Priority is given to women in three categories:
    * Those who are raising the children of another family member
    * Those in low-paying jobs with no career opportunities and who are lacking a retirement benefit and/or health insurance
    * Those who have been out of the work force for more than five year

Scholarships may be used for any course of study at an accredited public or private school, including a community college, four-year university or technical school. The money, which is payable to the institution, may be used to pay for tuition, fees and books. Graduate students are discouraged from applying.

Scholarship winners are chosen by an independent selection committee established by AARP Foundation. Selections are on the basis of financial need, personal circumstances and achievements, educational goals, and the likely impact of the scholarship on the women's lives, their families and communities.

The scholarship program is made possible by AARP Foundation with generous support from the Wal-Mart Foundation and AARP.

Beginning Feb. 1, 2011, interested applicants can return to AARP.org to complete their application online. The application process closes March 31, 2011. Scholarship winners will be announced in the summer.

Source: http://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/info-2010/scholarship-opportunities.html