Many women forgo a chance to finish their degree so they can get married and raise their kids. Once their kids are in school or when they find themselves in need of a career to bring in some extra money to the family, many of these women find that they really wish to go back to school. They may think this is going to be very difficult financially, though, because they may erroneously assume that financial aid for women college students is all geared to “traditional” college students, those just out of high school. The good news is that there are a variety of grants and scholarships available to women who want to go back to school and pursue a degree, you just have to know where to look for them.

For example, the Jeanette Rankin Foundation offers financial assistance specifically to women who are of modest means and who are 35 years or older when they go back to school. These grants have a $2000 value, and are given to women who can demonstrate how getting a degree will help them make their lives better, improve their own families’ situations, and even improve their community in its entirety. For instance nursing financial aid would be a great way to qualify for this grant.

The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting offers money to women who wish to pursue a post-graduate degree in accounting. The award ranges from $1,000 to $5,000.

Sometimes women face a situation where they need to return to work after leaving, whether to have a baby or work form home for a while. In these situations, it’s often true that they don’t have the skills necessary to compete with those who have just graduated from college. The Possible Woman Foundation International offers $2,000 o $4,000 scholarships for women in this situation, which allows them to re-enter the workforce with the new skills they need for success.

If you already have an undergraduate degree and want to further your education, consider the Selected Professions Fellowships. These are sponsored by the American Association of University Women, and they offer substantial amounts of money, between $5,000 and $20,000, to women who are returning to school for graduate in a specific field, such as architecture, computer and information sciences, math and statistics, or engineering.

Many of the scholarships are grant money for women who want to pursue a degree in math or science, but there are also scholarships available for those who want to pursue artistic degrees. For instance, the College Art Association offers $5,000 fellowships for applicants coming from communities that are marginalized from artistic professions, and the National Sculpture Society offers $1,000 to students who wish to study culture.

These are just some of the many options out there for women returning to school. Remember, you quit school to care for your family. Now it is time for you to do something for yourself, so both you and them can have a brighter future!