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.

Background: Provides need-based grants to women in the United States or Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and/or their families.

Grant Details

Maximum Award: $4,000 (one-time grant)

Eligible Expenses:

• Tuition
• Books and supplies
• Testing and graduation fees
• Transportation (only for estimated cost of gas, parking and local bus fare, 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

What the Grant Does NOT Cover:

• Living expenses
• Repayment of educational loans or personal debt
• Prerequisite courses needed to secure admission into another program of study

Eligibility Requirements

A woman is eligible for consideration if she:

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

Not Eligible:

• Students who have already earned a master's degree or above
• Students enrolled in a post-master's certificate or doctoral program
• Students who are choosing immediate continuation of her education beyond the current program for which the grant is requested

Contact Information

P.E.O. International Executive Office

• 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 the chapter recommendation, the P.E.O. Executive Office will send the student an online application, which she has 30 days to complete and submit
3. Application Requirements: The application will include detailed income and expense information
4. Notification: Both the applicant and sponsoring chapter will be notified of the decision
5. Reapplication Option: If the grant is denied due to an insufficient financial plan, the student can apply again with an improved financial plan

For Those Without P.E.O. Connection

If you are 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
• Note: Completing this form does not guarantee recommendation for a grant and is not the PCE application