P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education

P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE)

Geographic Scope: United States and Canada

Focus Areas: Need-based grants for women whose education has been interrupted and who need to return to school to support themselves and/or their families. Covers academic or technical courses, including online programs.

Program Purpose: Support women in returning to education after an interruption to support themselves and/or their families.

Award Details: One-time grants with maximum award of $4,000. Grants may be awarded for academic or technical courses, including online programs offered by educational institutions in the U.S. or Canada.

Eligible Education-Related Expenses

• Tuition
• Books and supplies
• Testing and graduation fees
• Transportation (estimated cost of gas, parking and local bus fare only—not for auto loan payments or maintenance)
• Childcare (only while in class or studying)
• Uniforms required by the educational program
• Equipment/tools necessary for the course of study

Not Eligible for Funding:

• Living expenses
• Repayment of educational loans or personal debt
• Prerequisite courses needed to secure admission into another program of study
• Immediate continuation of education beyond the current program
• Post-master's certificate or doctoral programs

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be recommended by a local chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood
• Must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States or Canada
• Must be enrolled in an accredited certification or degree program from an accredited institution
• Must not have already earned a master's degree or above
• Must be living and studying in the U.S. or Canada for the entire course of study
• Must have had at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student sometime in adult life
• Must have begun educational program if course of study is more than one term
• Must be within 18 consecutive months of completing educational program
• Must be enrolled in an education program which, once concluded, will lead to employment or job advancement

Contact

P.E.O. International

• Address: 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312
• Phone: 515-255-3153
• Fax: 515-255-3820

Application Process

1. Chapter Interview and Sponsorship: Members of a local P.E.O. chapter will interview a student before deciding to sponsor her. They will then take a vote and, if successful, recommend the student.
2. Online Application: Following chapter recommendation, the P.E.O. Executive Office will send the student an online application.
3. Application Deadline: Student has 30 days to complete and submit the online application.
4. Application Components:
   • Detailed Income and Expense information
   • Personal and biographical information
   • Educational program details
   • Financial plan
5. Award Notification: Both the applicant and sponsoring chapter will be notified of the decision.
6. Reapplication Option: If the grant is denied due to insufficient financial plan, the student can apply again with an improved financial plan.

How to Find a P.E.O. Sponsor

• If interested in the Program for Continuing Education grant but do not know a P.E.O. member, fill out the Information for Potential PCE Sponsorship form
• Completing this form does not guarantee recommendation for a grant and is not the PCE application itself