GFWC Women’s Club of South County Scholarship

About this scholarship

The GFWC Women’s Club of South County Scholarship helps adult women in Washington County, Rhode Island, pursue the education or job training needed to become more self-supporting. The Club’s live 2026 application sets an October 1 deadline and states that awards are paid directly to accredited programs or colleges for tuition only. Award amounts vary from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Applicants must be women age 20 or older, reside in one of the listed Washington County communities, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled or accepted in career or vocational training, a certificate program, or a first associate or bachelor’s degree. The online form collects the applicant’s education and career plan, tuition cost, requested amount, other aid, household-benefit information, work and volunteer experience, and dependents. A personal statement must explain the applicant’s hopes, obstacles, plan for becoming self-supporting, and the effect of the award. One current, signed recommendation from a non-family member is required. The Club may also request a financial-aid letter, the first page of a tax return, or government-benefit documentation to validate need. Preference goes to motivated applicants who are the primary support for themselves or their dependents, although dependents are not required.

Eligibility

• Be a woman who is at least 20 years old by the application date
• Live in Washington County, Rhode Island, in one of the communities listed by the Club
• Demonstrate financial need
• Be enrolled or accepted in career or vocational training, a certificate program, or a first associate or bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrate motivation to achieve educational and career goals
• Submit the required personal statement
• Provide one current, signed recommendation from a non-family member
• Provide additional financial-need documentation if the committee requests it
• Submit the complete online application by October 1, 2026