AAUW Career Development Grant

The AAUW Career Development Grant offers up to $8,000 for women advancing, changing fields, or pursuing executive training through an accredited certificate or training program. It does not fund a degree or a certificate embedded in a bachelor’s or master’s program; it supports shorter professional development. Funds may cover tuition, fees, required materials, transportation assistance, and dependent care, with potential tax implications depending on use.

Applicants must identify as a woman, hold at least an associate degree, and have applied to or been accepted into a certificate program in a field where women make up less than 50% of the workforce or senior leadership. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents in an eligible state or territory. The program must begin between January 1 and June 30, 2027; licensing exam costs are excluded.

The first winter/spring window closed September 30, 2026. The next opens January 27, 2027 at 9 a.m. Eastern and closes March 18 at 5 p.m.; AAUW expects review in March and April and notifications in April. Selection is competitive and subject to funding. Prepare proof of degree, program acceptance, a budget, and evidence of underrepresentation; explain how this specific training advances the applicant’s career.

Before applying, confirm that the cycle and academic program match your circumstances and that the window is still open. Start at the administrator’s link, save the rules, and prepare transcripts, FAFSA information, essays, and recommendations in the requested format. Track the application and reference deadlines separately: some portals close different components on different days. After submitting, monitor email and your dashboard until the file is marked complete. Ask your campus financial-aid office how the award will coordinate with FAFSA, other scholarships, and benefits, and request a written estimate of remaining charges. Do not budget funds that have not been awarded.

To compare this benefit with other options, ask financial aid for an estimate separating tuition, fees, housing, and excluded expenses. Confirm whether it renews annually, what GPA or course load it requires, and whom to contact if the student account does not show the payment. Keep award letters and receipts until the school confirms disbursement.

Official program information and application