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Grants for Women: Helping Female Students Stay Out of DebtAccording to the American Council on Higher Education, nearly 60% of all college students in the United States are women. That statistic has stayed about the same since 2000 but is a huge leap forward for women since the 1960s when they represented less than half of the college student population. Grants for women are definitely one of many reasons for the reversal, yet many female students don’t realize they have access to what amounts to free money to pay for their college education.Other OptionsFemale students pursuing specific majors can also find some grants for women, especially if they are going into traditionally male-dominated fields, such as math, english homework help, science, medicine, or engineering. Women coming from outside of the United States can also receive grants for studies. The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund, for example, provides $11,000 to help pay for tuition in these cases. If you are a survivor of domestic abuse or you are dedicated to helping women who are in these situations, you could qualify for the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program of around $2,000 per semester.Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. They are also available to a wide range of students so even women who didn’t compete in sports or rank in the top 10% of their graduating class may still be able to find ways to lower their college bills. Here are a few of the possibilities.Non-Traditional Female StudentsNon-traditional refers any student who doesn’t go to college right after completing high school. Several grants for women are designed to help these women because paying for college while also trying to support a family can be very challenging.For example, if you are a citizen of the United States, over 35, and have a low income then you could qualify for a scholarship from the Jeannette Rankin Foundation. The foundation maintains a fund from which it gives awards to deserving applicants.Talbots also offers grants for women who finished high school or earned a GED at least ten years earlier. The awards range from $1,000 to $10,000 so they can significantly lower your outstanding tuition.Moms and SchoolMany of the grants for women do go towards women who have families. The Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation gives $2,000 to five women from low-income families who have kids. Raise the Nation provides education grants to single mothers or the children of single mothers who can show that they have a financial need for the funds. Women who are the main breadwinner in their families but who still have financial need can receive a grant through the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards. Regardless of your situation, you can find grants for women that will help you keep your tuition costs in check so you can achieve your goal of completing college.