Funding Amount

Up to $4,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Program for Continuing Education (PCE)

Program Type: Need-based grant for women returning to education

Geographic Scope: United States and Canada

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

Purpose: Provides need-based grants to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and/or their families.

Program Details

  • One-time grants with maximum award of $4,000
  • Grants available for academic or technical courses, including online programs from U.S. or Canadian educational institutions
  • Grant can cover education-related expenses including:
  • - Tuition - Books and supplies - Testing and graduation fees - Transportation (estimated cost of gas, parking, local bus fare only - NOT auto loan payments or maintenance) - Childcare (only while in class or studying) - Uniforms required by educational program - Equipment/tools necessary for course of study

What PCE Grants Cannot Cover

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

Eligibility Requirements

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

Ineligible Applicants

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

Contact Information

P.E.O. Executive Office 3700 Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50312 Phone: 515-255-3153 Fax: 515-255-3820

How to Apply

Application Process

1. Chapter Interview and Sponsorship: Members of local P.E.O. chapter interview student before deciding to sponsor her. Chapter takes a vote; if successful, recommends the student.

2. Application Distribution: Following chapter recommendation, P.E.O. Executive Office sends student an online application

3. Application Submission: Student has 30 days to complete and submit application

4. Required Materials:
- Detailed Income and Expense information
- Application content determined by system

5. Decision Notification: Both applicant and sponsoring chapter notified of decision

6. Reapplication Option: If grant denied due to insufficient financial plan, student can apply again with improved financial plan

For Those Without P.E.O. Connection

If interested in PCE grant but do not know a P.E.O. member:

  • Fill out "Information for Potential PCE Sponsorship" form

  • Completing this form does NOT guarantee recommendation for grant

  • This form is NOT the PCE application
  • Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    womeneducationworkforce-development

    Categories

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