Women have come a long way, but in higher education and industry-specific careers, women continue to be largely underrepresented.

Studies reveal statistics that show more women than men complete undergraduate degrees.Many educators argue that educational institutions fail to fully engage their female students on all levels, as well as to support and nurture non-traditional roles and interests.

When applied to the interests of minority women, the equation becomes even more unbalanced.

Because coeducational colleges and universities continue to fail to engage many women in topics of importance to women, private women's colleges thrive. Not only do women's campuses now include activities and interests that appeal to all women, but most institutions do as well.

• Women's Colleges Encourage Diversity and Provide Generous Grants

Women's colleges offer a wide range of opportunities, from a quiet academic setting to top-tier competitive athletics. Most colleges actively promote all forms of diversity and provide generous need-based and merit-based grants and scholarships:

Spelman College in Atlanta is the only institution that has historically served African American women's interests and education. Scholarships and grants are frequently awarded to incoming students based on merit, need, or major course of study.

Agnes Scott College in Atlanta not only offers merit-based scholarships and grants, but their Goizueta Foundation Scholarship is exceptional in its intent to provide fully funded tuition to Hispanic women students.

The Goizueta Scholarship recognizes Hispanic students who have a significant financial need for tuition assistance while also demonstrating high academic standards and a leadership aptitude.

According to statistics, more than 40% of students at private women's colleges receive substantial financial aid packages that include grant funds directly from the college. These are not just for low-income students; many middle-income students are also eligible.

Colleges maintain healthy alumnae associations that work to stockpile impressive educational funds in order to continue successfully guiding the future careers of young women:

Wellesley Collegein Massachusetts does not offer any merit-based grants or scholarships. In fact, the college values diversity and anticipates that the majority of its student body will receive financial assistance. Every academic year, the college spends millions of dollars to meet the educational needs of incoming students from all backgrounds.

The Davis Program at Wellesley is also unique in that it offers non-traditional students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor's degree or pursue graduate studies.

Barnard College in New York also awards need-based grants, but encourages students to supplement federal student loans and college grants with outside scholarships and grants.Barnard's Office of the Dean maintains a regularly updated list of valuable private scholarships available through the college but not funded by.

• Women Pursuing Programs in Underrepresented Fields Receive Grants

Some of the more numerous grant programs for women are sponsored by public and private organizations that promote the interests of a specific industry or field of study.

Female students, for example, who are interested in math, science, engineering, technology, law, business, or medicine will find that many professional associations and organizations are actively nurturing their interests.

Until recently, these fields were dominated by white males, regardless of any interest on the part of women, who frequently fail to find support for non-traditional career paths that would have traditionally been pursued by males.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship Grant is open to sophomores and juniors majoring in science or mathematics. Above-average GPAs are expected, and those planning to continue on to graduate programs in a related field are given priority.

The Ford Foundation's Pre-doctoral Fellowship for Minorities promotes the interests of graduate students pursuing careers in science, math, or engineering, with a focus on women and minorities.

The National Black Nurses Association was founded to provide professional and educational assistance to African American nurses, both working and studying for a nursing degree.

There are nearly a dozen grants and scholarships available to undergraduate nurses who are currently enrolled in a four-year nursing program. The prizes range from $500 to $2,000 per academic year.

Fellowships in the Physical Sciences are sponsored by the National Physical Science Consortium in order to diversify the field. Women and minority students enrolled in pre-doctoral programs at accredited institutions may be eligible. Other requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.0 and the expectation that the candidate will work in computer science, geology, astronomy, chemistry, or math.

The National Science Foundation offers Women in Engineering and Computer and Information Science Awards. These graduate fellowships are available to women pursuing degrees in math, science, engineering, or computer science.

The Regent's Healthcare Scholarship for Medicine and Dentistry provides grant money to New York State resident students for medical and dental school. The scholarship is intended for members of underrepresented groups, such as minorities and women. Candidates must be applying to New York State programs and must agree to work professionally in a medically underserved New York State health care facility for a set period of time after graduation.

Until recently, women in business and corporate were relegated to low-level positions and largely ignored in terms of leadership roles. To that end, an increasing number of professional business associations have become active in supporting women's professional education, recognizing the value of women at all levels of their ranks.

In such cases, many women fall into the non-traditional educational category, which means they are older than the traditional college age range. Professional women are returning to college to advance their careers and retrain after taking on family responsibilities. When it comes to minority women, business environments have been particularly impenetrable. Another tide that is slowly but steadily turning:

**The American Association of University Women (AAUW)*** is one of the most active organizations promoting the academic and professional advancement of women, particularly minority women. The most economically disadvantaged students and those returning to college after pursuing careers or raising a family are given special consideration for the grants.

The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting offers grants to women pursuing a two-year, four-year, or master's degree in finance or accounting. Grants are given out based on both need and merit.

The American Society of Women Accountants provides grants and scholarships to students pursuing finance or accounting degrees at the two-year, four-year, and graduate levels. Small grants are also available to cover the costs of industry certifications and travel.

The Davis Program at Wellesley College is a non-traditional college degree program for women over the age of 18. Working women, those returning to the workforce, and those who have never attended college may do so on one of the most prestigious women's campuses in the country.

• Grants for Economically Disadvantaged Women and Non-Traditional Entrepreneurs

Aside from simply being female, large segments of the female population face additional challenges when it comes to education and career goals. Women from disadvantaged backgrounds, victims of violence, and single mothers all face unique challenges. In situations like these, most women lack not only critical financial support, but also family and social support, which can mean the difference between success and failure:

The Business and Professional Women's Association prioritizes the financial needs of disadvantaged and minority women who would otherwise struggle to thrive. The target audience for assistance is women over the age of 25, who are reentering the workforce or who want to further their education for career advancement.

The Jeanette Rankin Foundation awards college scholarships to women over the age of 35 who are enrolled in technical or professional programs, two-year degrees, or bachelor's degrees. Candidates must demonstrate extreme financial need.

• Grants for Battered Women and Single Mothers

Single mothers are still disadvantaged, according to politicians and educators, because of outdated and poorly thought-out welfare regulations. Some states still consider student aid to be income, making a single mother ineligible for welfare.

If they lose their welfare benefits, single mothers cannot afford to attend college, even public institutions. Because of this unfortunate catch-22, women in these situations have no choice but to pursue an education and a career that would otherwise allow them to escape their economic situations:

Raise the Nation is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to the needs of single mothers. The organization provides a continuing education grant based on financial need. Their loan repayment program is available to women with student loans and limited financial resources. To be eligible for assistance, qualified applicants must have a track record of community service or volunteerism.

The Sunshine Lady Foundation's Women's Independence Scholarship program is unique in that it provides educational grants to women who have been abused by a partner. These women face not only gender inequality, but also economic and emotional difficulties.