What is the AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program?

The AARP Foundation's Women's Scholarship Program provides scholarship funds to women 40+ seeking new job skills, training, and educational opportunities to support themselves and their families. The AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program is available to eligible individuals with moderate to lower incomes and limited financial resources.

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must be:

• Women.
• Age 40 or over by August 31, 2008.
• Able to demonstrate financial need.
• Enrolled in an accredited school or technical program within 6 months of the scholarship award date.

Who funds the Women's Scholarship Program?

The scholarship program is made possible by a donation from AARP to the AARP Foundation, the organization's affiliated charity, with generous support from Bank of America and the Women's Leadership Circle Cabinet.  For more information about the AARP Foundation, please log on to www.aarpfoundation.org.

How can scholarship funds be used?

Scholarships may be used for any course of study at a public or private secondary school, including community colleges, technical schools, and four-year universities.  Funds are payable to the institution and may be used to pay for tuition, fees, and books.

Who is this scholarship program especially trying to help?

The program does not provide assistance for graduate degree programs.  It seeks women who are entering 2-3 year technical or skills up-grading programs or in the final stages of their college experience. Priority is given to women who are:

• Returning to the workforce after an extended absence.
• Underemployed (in a job with limited pay, limited growth opportunities and limited benefits).
• Raising another family member's child/children, such as grandparents raising grandchildren (with the ability to demonstrate significant financial responsibility for those child/children).

Do I have to be a full-time student to receive a scholarship?

No, you can be either a full-time or a part-time student.

How do I apply?

The program application may only be submitted on-line. The application and additional information on the scholarship program is available at http://aarpfoundationwlc.org/ . 

What information does the application require?

The application requires basic contact information and education, employment and/or community service history.  In addition, applicants must answer short essay questions regarding: their educational goals and any significant obstacles they have faced in their lives and how they have overcome them.

Will the information I provide on the application be kept confidential?

The information you provide will be shared only with the independent selection committee established by the AARP Foundation and ACT, Inc. in Iowa City, Iowa. 

How much scholarship money is available?

Scholarship awards will range from $500 to $5,000, depending on financial need and the cost of the education or training program.

How many scholarships will be awarded?

The AARP Foundation will award up to 100 scholarships.

Can I reapply for a scholarship the following year?

Yes. Scholarships will be awarded for a period of one year or less.  Recipients may reapply for the following year's scholarship program if they continue to meet program eligibility requirements.

How will scholarship recipients be selected?

Scholarship winners will be chosen by an independent selection committee established by the AARP Foundation.  They will be chosen on the basis of financial need, personal circumstances and achievements, educational goals, and the likely impact of the scholarship on their lives and their families and communities.  Decisions of the selection committee are final. 

When and how will the scholarship recipients be notified?

Scholarship recipients will be notified within two months of the scholarship deadline by letter and e-mail.

If I am selected as a scholarship recipient, how will I receive the funds?

Scholarship funds will be made available shortly after the scholarship recipients are announced.  The scholarship check will be mailed to your permanent home address and will be made payable only to the educational institution. It is your responsibility to deliver the award check to your institution's financial office.

If I am not selected as a scholarship recipient, how will I be notified?

You will receive a letter stating that you were not selected. The letter will also include other options that you may find helpful.

If I am not selected as a scholarship recipient, can I challenge the selection committee's decision?

No. All decisions of the selection committee are final.

What will be expected of me as a scholarship recipient?

Scholarship recipients must provide accurate information at all times.  They must be enrolled in an approved educational program within six months of receiving notification of the scholarship award.  They must continue their designated educational program for the complete term of the scholarship (barring illness, family emergency, or military service).

Are scholarship funds taxable?

Generally, scholarship funds used exclusively for the payment of tuition, fees, or textbooks are not taxable.  Because there may be some exceptions to this rule, AARP Foundation recommends that you contact your tax advisor or log on to www.irs.gov to look for more information.   The scholarship recipient is responsible for taxes, if any, that may be assessed against the scholarship award.

If I am receiving public benefits, how will this scholarship affect those benefits?

Because the scholarship funds can be used to pay for only tuition, fees, and books, the scholarship is not considered to be income for public benefit purposes and should not affect your public benefit income.

Who do I contact if I need more information?

For additional information regarding the scholarship program go to www.aarpfoundationwlc.org

The AARP Foundation is AARP's affiliated charity. Foundation programs provide security, protection and empowerment for older persons in need. Low-income older workers receive the job training and placement they need to re-join the workforce. Free tax preparation is provided for low- and moderate-income individuals, with special attention to those 60 and older. The Foundation's litigation staff protects the legal rights of older Americans in critical health, long-term care, consumer and employment situations. Additional programs provide information, education and services to ensure that people over 50 lead lives of independence, dignity and purpose. Foundation programs are funded by grants, tax-deductible contributions and AARP.