PARENT OPPORTUNITIES

The AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program:
Offering Scholarships to Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Grandchildren!

Supported by a generous donation from AARP, the AARP Foundation is offering scholarships to women aged 40 or older of limited financial means who are:

(1) individuals returning to the workforce after an  extended absence;

(2) individuals in jobs with insufficient pay, benefits or growth opportunities; or

(3) grandmothers or other female relatives raising another family member's child/children (with 
    ability to demonstrate significant financialresponsibility for those child/children). 

Scholarships will range from $500 to $5,000, will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need and merit, and can cover tuition, fees, and books needed for coursework. The actual amount of the scholarship will depend on financial need and the cost of education sought. The AARP Foundation will award up to 75 scholarships during the first award cycle.

Scholarships may be used for any course of study at a public or private, not-for- post-secondary school, including community colleges, technical schools, and four-year universities.  Funds may be used to pay for tuition and other related fees, including books. The AARP Foundation will send scholarship funds directly to the authorized educational institution.

The program application may only be submitted on-line.  The application form and additional
information on the scholarship program is available at www.aarp.org/womensscholarship beginning August 31, 2007. The access key is AFWSP.  The application requires basic contact information and education, employment and/or community service history. In addition, applicants must answer three short essay questions regarding:

(1) their educational goals;

(2) the benefit of the scholarship to themselves and their families or communities; and

(3) any significant obstacles they have faced in their lives and how they have overcome them.

Complete applications must be submitted no later than October 31, 2007.

Program finalists will be notified in November, 2007 at which time additional information may be requested. 2007 scholarship recipients will be notified in January 2008. Scholarship funds will be made available shortly thereafter.