Apply

Review eligiblity & requirements and apply for the Education Fund Award.

About the award

The award recognizes extraordinary women and often heroic effort in overcoming adversity as they restructure their lives for success. Unlike financial aid or scholarships, the $10,000 award goes directly to the recipient for whatever needs loom largest for her, whether tuition, childcare, medical bills, elder care, transportation, housing, or any other priority. Applicants and their references should share the narrative of obstacles confronted and overcome, and any demonstrations of leadership and care for their community. Awards have been granted to over 355 women, amounting to over $2.8 million in assistance. Previous recipients have gone on to obtain master's degrees and Ph.D.'s and become leaders throughout the city.

The 2025 Education Fund Application submission period is now closed.

The application submission period for the 2025 award is now closed. Applicants will be notified of the outcome before June 1st. The next submission period opens after Sep. 1st. Please no phone calls.

Download a copy of the 2025 award eligibility requirements and instructions

2025 ELIGIBILITY

Applicant Must:

be at least 25 years old by December 31, 2024
attend college at a two or four-year institution in New York City
reside in New York City
be pursuing her FIRST Associate or Bachelor's degree and have earned at least 12 credits in good standing
have attended a college in New York City during the 2024 academic year and be enrolled for at least 6 credits in the 2025 academic year
have at least 9 credits to complete graduation requirements AFTER June 2025
If completing an Associate degree in June 2025, must then provide evidence of admission to a Bachelor's degree program
complete an additional semester of 6 or more credits within twelve months of receiving the Award (at an NYC college/university), i.e., by June 2026

Loreslee Hernandez, 2023 Education Fund Scholar

APPLICATION Components

The 2025 Application submission period is now closed.

Online Application

Applicants will create an account on the AwardForce site and must complete all required sections on or before the application deadline, through the online portal. Additional guidance included on Eligibility & Instructions document available in link above.

Letters of Reference

Only one reference letter is required and must be written by a faculty member or administrator at your college familiar with your academic work and ideally, your family history, academic history, and career goals. Another letter from a non-academic source can be submitted optionally.

Transcript

Student transcripts will be uploaded with the application. If selected, applicants may be required to provide an official copy of their transcript before the award payment is distributed.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Awards are given in two installments: $5,000 upon notification of Award by June 30, 2025 and $5,000 in January 2026 or upon successful completion of an additional semester of 6 or more credits before June 2027.
Recipients will be required to submit an official transcript for their additional semester of 6 or more credits before the second installment is awarded.
The Women’s Forum will issue a Form 1099 to all Awardees in January 2026, for calendar year 2025, and again in January 2027, for calendar year 2026.

The Women’s Forum of New York is a network of women leaders representing the highest levels of professional achievement across all sectors, industries, and spheres of influence in New York City.

Women's Forum of New York
One East 53rd Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10022

Tel: 212-447-9107
Email: info@womensforumny.org