Education Degree: Scholarships for Women Over 50 for a Master's Degree

Scholarships for Women Over 50 for a Master's Degree

Women over 50 who wish to pursue a master's degree are eligible for scholarship assistance through a number of sources that support higher education for mature students. Disciplines that offer financial assistance for older students include accountancy, engineering and the retail trade, among others. The sponsors of these scholarships range from professional associations, societies, universities and foundations.

Graduate scholarships offer women over 50 new avenues to explore.

Association of Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education

The Association of Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE) consists of students, academic professionals, institutions and organizations working together to promote and support education and advocacy for the adult learner. ANTSHE offers the Marius "Gabe" DeGabriele Scholarship for graduate students. Candidates must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and submit transcripts, letters of recommendation and a personal statement that relates financial need. As of 2011, the scholarship value was undisclosed.

American Association of University Women

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers women with a bachelor's degree the opportunity to pursue graduate studies through Career Development Grants. These grants enable recipients to obtain a master's degree with which to advance or change careers or reenter the workforce. Applicants must apply these awards to studies at accredited colleges, universities or technical schools in the United States. AAUW gives special consideration for these awards to women of color and women taking on their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. As of 2011, the scholarship carried a value between $2,000 and $12,000.

Wind Foundation

The nonprofit Wind Foundation for Women (WFW) aims to provide opportunities for women to improve their lives and the world around them through higher education. Wind Foundation scholarships are specifically for older women in financial need, returning to school. The scholarships enable them to pursue non-traditional roles and occupations, and benefit from interaction with successful women in their industries. As of 2010, the value of the scholarships was undisclosed.

Society of Women Engineers

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) provides a scholarship program for graduate students pursuing advanced degrees at accredited institutions, in preparation for careers in engineering, engineering technology and computer science. SWE recognizes programs based on ABET accreditation for universities in the United States. As of 2010, the value of SWE scholarships and fellowships ranged between $1,000 and $10,000.

American Society of Women Accountants

The American Society of Women Accountants (ASWA) provides scholarships for a master's degree in accounting to part- or full-time students. Applicants must have a minimum of 60 completed semester hours or 90 completed quarter hours and a declared major in accounting at an accredited college, university or professional school of accounting. Membership of ASWA is not a requirement for scholarship consideration.

University of Wisconsin

Women who are 50 or older and returning adult students are eligible for the Alma Baron Second Chance for Women award at the University of Wisconsin. The award is for applicants who are a minimum of 45 years of age and new or continuing students in good academic standing. The award is for U.S. citizens or permanent residents in financial need and likely to achieve academic success based on academic results of the past five years.

Talbots Scholarship Foundation

The Talbots Scholarship Foundation offers awards for women in their late 20s to 60s with a view to giving them the means to fulfill their goals of higher education later in life. As of 2011, the value of each of the 10 scholarships awarded by the foundation was $15,000, and $30,000 for the Nancy Talbot Scholarship award honoring the company's founder and earmarked for an exceptional candidate.