Women who think their opportunity to get further education has passed them by may want to check out a grant program offered by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.
The Women's Education Coalition, the only programs of its kind in the area, helps women with expenses as they go back to school after a significant amount of time has lapsed since high school.
The funds are for nontraditional female students with children. They can go toward college or a certification program. In most cases, the funds will go directly to the school.
Applicants must provide a statement of their goals and include special circumstances that effect their ability to finance an education. Personal work history, letters of recommendation and financial information that demonstrates the need for financial assistance must be included.
Grants may be used for tuition, fees, books, child care, transportation or other needs.
What makes this program different is funds can be made available in cases where unforeseen circumstances arise, such as an emergency car repair or an unexpected child care expense that could otherwise keep a woman from attending classes, says Carol Carter, of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.
"There are not a lot of programs with that component. That's that makes it unique," Carter says.
The amount of available funds is not large, but it does provide help in certain cases, she says. Awards usually are between $250 and $3,000, but there is no minimum or maximum.
In a typical year, the grant goes to 10 to 12 new recipients and 20 women are carried over from the previous year, Carter says.
Applications are due May 15 and can be found at the
Kalamazoo Community Foundation web site.
Grants are offered by the Women's Education Coalition made up of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Kalamazoo Network; and the YWCA of Kalamazoo in partnership with the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Nancy Carter, Kalamazoo Community Foundation
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