There are special grants for women out there.

If you are a guy reading this, don’t scream sexism just yet! Although more and more women are attending college (in fact more women are graduating than men), there is still a major gulf between women and men in the fields of technology, higher education and industry-specific careers.

So women still have a ways to go before there is equality of the sexes. So in the meantime, to help even the playing field, there are special grants for women.

So this is what’s out there to get the Girl Power going:

Women who haven’t had the opportunity to receive a college education can go for the Kalamazoo Women’s Education Coalition grant. Awards are between $250 and $3,000 and can also be used to cover other lifestyle expenses besides school.

The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund, sponsored by the World Bank gives up to $11,000 to international women studying in the U.S. You must be planning to return to your country of origin and the money should be used to help your homeland community.

Zonta International sponsors a variety of grants to women across the board, including the Young Women in Public Affairs Award program.

If you are a woman in a disadvantaged situation you could get the Soroptomost International of the Americas. To be eligible, you have to be supporting their household or otherwise strapped for cash. 

The Raise the Nation program helps colleges and universities offer grants to women who are single moms.

If you’re a science nerd, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Grant is available to sophomores and juniors pursuing majors in the sciences or mathematics.

If you are interested in a nursing degree, the National Black Nurses Association provides professional and educational support to African American nurses. There are nearly a dozen grants ranging between $500 and $2,000 and scholarships available.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is one of the most active organizations promoting the ongoing academic and professional progress of women, especially minority women.

So women…there is tons of free money out there. Use it and show the men what you’ve got! A little competition never hurt.

There is free money out there for everyone–if you know where to look. Fortunately, when it comes to finding cash, we are all about shortcuts. So we’ve done some of the work for you.

Here’s our special on grants and scholarships on minorities.

Historically underrepresented groups, like African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and women have access to special grants and scholarships to even the playing field.

These grants and scholarships come from all types of sources, including the federal and state governments, colleges and universities and private donors.

What’s more important is that if you are from an underrepresented group, the schools are finally listening and that means that you can get some serious cash–especially in fields like science and business that traditionally have been lacking diversity.

Here are some that caught our attention:

The Multicultural Advertising Intern Program through the American Association of Advertising Agencies awards grants to students pursuing degrees in advertising and media communications. How’s that for race representation?

Minority students pursuing a degree in Hospitality Management may be eligible to compete for grant money sponsored by the Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students. Now that’s hospitable.

Asian-American students interested in filmmaking or television production may be eligible for grant money through the Media Action Network for Asian Americans. Students must prove merit and need to receive these $1,000 grants. Get ready for your close-up.

Hispanic business students should check out the Saludos Business Grants.

The Fellowship for Ethnic Minorities which is offered through the American Society of Criminology is intended to encourage more minority students in the areas of law and criminal justice.

If counting money is your thing, then you can count on more (money that is) if you study accounting. The AICPA Scholarships for Minority Accounting students, offers scholarships ranging between $1,500 and $5,000. Last year, 137 undergraduate and graduate students were awarded scholarships to continue their studies in accounting. 

African American students enrolled full-time in an undergraduate science or engineering curriculum may be eligible to win up to $2,000 per year (renewable for up to four years) through the Development Fund for Black students in Science and Technology.

African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islander Americans or Hispanic Americans can get the Gates Millennium Scholars-scholarships for outstanding students of specific minorities. 

Ethnic minority students will receive paid multi-year internships as well as academic and guidance support through the INROADS program. Students will learn about the corporate world and undergo year-round training.

Each year, at least ten African American students receive $40,000 scholarships (in $10,000 yearly instalments) through the Ron Brown Scholars Program. But the money’s gotta be used specifically for your studies.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and The Merck Institute for Science Education Research Laboratories are offering biomedical research scholarships to at least 37 African American undergraduates, graduates and students working on postdoctoral research. In 2006, awards ranged between $25,000 and $ 85,000.

There are some serious options for grants and scholarships for minorities out there to grant you money for college.

Check out other grant options.

Governor Beebe of Arkensas thinks your college education matters.

He recently announced plans for the State of Arkansas to provides needs-based grants to low income students with a low GPA range. It’s called the Go Opportunities Grant.

Grants for low income students are usually targeted towards those with a high Grade Point Average. But the governor of Arkensas thinks that all students should have access to higher education. He says that sometimes kids slack off in high school–but they can still do something great in college and for their Country.

You can watch the video of his announcement and the ad for the grant here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1myxpTRAI4