The first ever scholarship in the history of American collegiate education was established by Lady Anne Moulson (born Anne Radcliffe,1576-1661) at the then newly formed Harvard University. In those days, the sum she offered was significant indeed a 100 pounds! Till today, her name lives on, for the much acclaimed Radcliffe College, founded as the women’s annex to Harvard, is named after her.

Scholarships are financial assistance schemes offered to deserving students for the purpose of subsidizing their pursuit of a collegiate education. In today’s educational scenario, the scholarships offered by individuals and organizations amount to billions of dollars and make it possible for intelligent students who may not possess the financial capabilities to receive a quality education.

Since time immemorial, mankind has always had an inborn urge to seek, to explore and to find and in the process, to constantly further the limits of learning. But, the fact remains that unless one’s basic needs of food, shelter, and security are met, one doesn’t normally turn towards learning.

Do you know that every year hundreds of thousands of scholarships are disbursed by a huge number of federal agencies, non-governmental funding agencies, philanthropists, educational institutes and by corporate giants? The amount of money that goes into scholarships is astronomical, to say the least, and one might even wonder why.

Pursuing a degree in top colleges and universities gives many opportunities to experience diverse cultures and perspectives. But, the high cost of tuition and living expenses can often become a hurdle in studying at the most prestigious academic institutions. Fortunately, scholarships can help mitigate these costs by providing financial support to students pursuing their academic goals.

Looking to apply for scholarships? Here are a few tips to help you with the process and also a list of scholarships offered by various educational institutions in the country. Whether you choose to obtain a certificate, a degree, or a diploma from a licensed or accredited institution, the first thing you need to do is research about courses that meet your expectations.

The 21st century has seen a considerable surge in women’s education with more women not only choosing to go on to post-graduate programs but also entering hitherto male dominated and non-traditional streams of study. There are a number of grants offered by both federal and private organizations specifically with the motive of encouraging women to take up under-represented fields of study.

The last century or so has seen a considerable surge in the onus given to women’s education as more and more women are striving to break the glass ceiling, becoming more than just bread winners but more importantly, business leaders. However, the fact still remains that women are largely underrepresented when it comes to institutional support especially for non-mainstream interests.