GFWC of Massachusetts Woman Returning to School Scholarship
Offered by General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts
About This Scholarship
The General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts, the state federation of one of the country's oldest women's volunteer service organizations, runs an annual scholarship program for Massachusetts residents, and its Woman Returning to School awards are aimed squarely at nontraditional students. The undergraduate award starts at $500 and the graduate award starts at $1,000, and both are reserved for women who have been out of school for at least four years.
GFWC Massachusetts lists both awards on its scholarships page for the 2027 cycle alongside a related Woman Returning to School for Nursing scholarship (starting at $1,000) for women re-entering education to pursue nursing. All applicants must maintain legal residence in Massachusetts, and the federation is strict about its timeline: due dates of March 1, 2027 are firmly enforced.
Applications are PDF forms downloaded from the GFWC Massachusetts scholarships page, with each scholarship listing its own coordinator contact on the form. For a woman restarting her education after years away, this is a low-competition, state-level award from a century-old service organization.
Eligibility
- Woman who has been absent from school for four or more years
- Legal resident of Massachusetts
- Undergraduate award starts at $500; graduate award starts at $1,000
- A separate Woman Returning to School for Nursing award (starting at $1,000) covers nursing students absent four or more years
How To Apply
- Download the Woman Returning to School application PDF from the GFWC Massachusetts scholarships page
- Complete the form and gather any materials it specifies, using the coordinator contact printed on the application for questions
- Submit so it arrives by the March 1, 2027 due date, which is strictly enforced
Frequently Asked Questions
Who counts as a woman returning to school?
GFWC Massachusetts defines the award for women who have been absent from school for four or more years, whether they are returning at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Do I have to live in Massachusetts?
Yes. GFWC of Massachusetts requires all scholarship applicants to maintain legal residence in Massachusetts.
When is the application due?
March 1, 2027. The federation states that due dates will be strictly adhered to.