Grants Available to Women

There's no federal "grants for women" program that mails out cash. But several real programs specifically support women in education, business, and family life — and many benefit programs serve women in disproportionate numbers, especially mothers.

Education

Women can apply for any federal student aid through the FAFSA — Pell Grant ($7,395 max for 2025–26), FSEOG, TEACH, and others. See our education grants page for the full list.

Private organizations also offer scholarships specifically for women, particularly those returning to school or supporting families:

• AAUW (American Association of University Women) — fellowships and grants for women in graduate study
• Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards — for women who are primary financial support for their families
• P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education — grants for women whose education has been interrupted
• Jeannette Rankin Foundation — scholarships for low-income women age 35+

Business

The SBA doesn't write cash grants to women business owners, but it funds Women's Business Centers that offer free counseling and training, plus the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting program for set-aside contracts.

Private grant programs for women entrepreneurs:

• Amber Grant — $10,000 monthly + $50,000 annual prize
• Cartier Women's Initiative — $30,000–$100,000 + coaching
• Tory Burch Foundation Fellows — grants and mentorship
• IFundWomen — crowdfunding + corporate-sponsored grants

Benefits programs for women and families

Most women searching for "grants" actually qualify for benefits programs, especially mothers:

• WIC — nutrition for pregnant women, new mothers, and kids under 5
• TANF — cash assistance for families with children
• SNAP — food assistance
• Medicaid and CHIP — health coverage
• Head Start — free early childhood education for low-income families
• Child Care subsidies — through your state's Child Care Development Block Grant office

The single best starting point is Benefits.gov, which screens you for what you may qualify for.

Help in crisis

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788)
• WomensLaw.org — legal information for women experiencing abuse
• Dial 211 — local emergency assistance for housing, food, child care
• Office on Women's Health Helpline: 1-800-994-9662

Watch out for scams

"Free government grants for women" promising thousands of dollars — especially with an upfront fee — are scams. The FTC warns specifically about this pattern: consumer.ftc.gov/articles/government-grant-scams.

For the full picture, see our grants for women page.