AARP Idaho Announces Scholarship Program for Low-income Women 50+

AARP Foundation Scholarships given to Women in financial need for education and re-careering opportunities

BOISE, Idaho, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Idaho's own Treasure Valley has just been ranked as the eighth worst-paying area for women in the nation. Combine that with the Gem State's ranking 49th lowest in per capita income, and the picture is a less than rosy one for many of the state's older women.  

Today, AARP Idaho announced an opportunity to help brighten that scenario for some. The AARP Foundation is accepting entries to its sixth annual Women's Scholarship Program. The scholarships provide funds to low-income older women who are seeking new job skills, training and educational opportunities to support themselves and their families.

"AARP Foundation is committed to elevating opportunities for women, right here in Idaho and across the nation," said Angela Cortez, interim State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "We are proud of this program because it has helped women throughout the nation gain access to educational opportunities that will advance their employment goals and ensure they will have the financial resources they need as they age."

While many individuals benefit from the work of AARP Foundation, research shows that women are disproportionately at risk of having insufficient funds in the second half of their lives due to lower earnings and different work patterns. AARP Foundation's Women's Scholarship Program is helping win back opportunity for low-income 50+ women by funding education, training and skills upgrades that can lead to better employment and increased financial security for women and their families. 

Within the priority areas for eligibility, this year, in addition to focusing on women raising the family members of others; and those that have been out of the workforce for more than one year – AARP Foundation's Women Scholarship Program has an added a focus on older women veterans. 

Since 2007, AARP Foundation's Women's Scholarship Program has awarded scholarships to more than 800 eligible women – facilitating their entry into programs they may otherwise be unable to afford, and ultimately helping them recover from the recent recession.

In addition to being an older student, to be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must:

* Be a U.S. Citizen;
* Be able to demonstrate financial need;
* Be enrolled in an accredited school or technical training program within six months of the scholarship award date.

Deadlines:
The scholarship application period for the 2012-2013 academic year will be open until Friday, March 30, 2012 at 4 p.m. MT.

Scholarship winners are chosen by two independent panels established by AARP Foundation. They are chosen on the basis of financial need, personal circumstances and achievements, educational goals, and the likely impact of the scholarship on their lives. The scholarship application period opens each spring and scholarships are awarded every summer.

To learn more about eligibility requirements, apply online, or donate to help please visit: www.aarp.org/womensscholarship.

About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is the charitable affiliate of AARP. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org.

AARP is Idaho's largest membership organization with over 180,000 members.
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SOURCE AARP Idaho