Grants for Women

A common misconception: that the federal government has a special "grants for women" program that pays out cash for personal expenses. It doesn't. What does exist are programs specifically supporting women in business, education, and family stability — plus benefits programs that disproportionately serve women but aren't women-only.

Education grants

Women can apply for any federal student aid program through the FAFSA:

• Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year for undergraduates with financial need
• FSEOG — $100–$4,000/year for those with exceptional need
• TEACH Grant — up to $3,772/year for future teachers

Many private organizations also offer scholarships specifically for women returning to school, single mothers, or women in STEM fields. Worth searching:

• AAUW (American Association of University Women) — fellowships and grants for women in graduate study
• Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards — for women who are the 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 grants for women

The SBA doesn't write cash grants directly to women business owners, but it funds Women's Business Centers (WBCs) in every state — free counseling, training, and help finding funding. The SBA also runs the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting program, which sets aside federal contracts for certified women-owned firms.

Real grant programs for women entrepreneurs include:

• Amber Grant — $10,000 monthly plus a $50,000 annual prize
• Cartier Women's Initiative — $30,000–$100,000 plus coaching for women driving social or environmental impact
• SoGal Foundation grants — for women and nonbinary founders of color
• Tory Burch Foundation Fellows program — grants and mentorship for women entrepreneurs
• IFundWomen — crowdfunding plus grants in partnership with corporate sponsors

For full federal small business funding context, see our small business grants page.

Family stability and benefits programs

Most women looking for "personal grants" actually qualify for benefits programs, especially if they're raising children:

• WIC — nutrition assistance for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5. Apply through your state at fns.usda.gov/wic.
• TANF — cash assistance for families with children
• SNAP — food assistance
• Medicaid and CHIP — health coverage for low-income mothers and children
• Head Start and Early Head Start — free early childhood education for low-income families
• Child Care and Development Block Grant — subsidized child care; ask your state's child care office

Start with Benefits.gov to see what you may qualify for.

Help for women in crisis

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

Avoid the scams

There is no federal "grants for women" program that mails out cash. Anyone promising thousands of dollars in "free government grants for women" — especially for an upfront fee — is running a scam. FTC details: consumer.ftc.gov/articles/government-grant-scams.