P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education Grant

Grant Overview

Need-Based Grants for Women Returning to School in the U.S. and Canada

Donor: P.E.O. Sisterhood

About: Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs at our best-laid plans, doesn’t it? One day you’re pursuing your education, full of hope and determination, and the next well, life happens. The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) gets this. Really gets it. Since 1973, they’ve been the quiet champions for women whose educational journeys hit a pause, offering a hand up when it’s needed most.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood isn’t some faceless corporation with a slick marketing department. This is a story that begins in 1869, when seven young women at Iowa Wesleyan University decided to create something special a sisterhood dedicated to helping other women. Fast forward over 150 years, and that small circle has grown into nearly 200,000 members across the United States and Canada, all united by a simple mission: “Where women motivate, educate and celebrate women.”

The Heart of PCE: More Than Just Money

The Program for Continuing Education isn’t just about writing checks. It’s about understanding the unique challenges women face when trying to restart their education. We’re talking about women who’ve had at least 24 consecutive months away from school as adults women who are juggling families, jobs, and a hundred other responsibilities while trying to create a better future for themselves.

What makes PCE special is its laser focus on women who are close to the finish line. You need to be within 18 months of completing your program to qualify. This isn’t about funding endless education it’s about giving that final push when the end is in sight. The grants max out at $4,000, which might not sound like a fortune, but for someone worrying about tuition, books, or childcare while they study, it can be the difference between giving up and crossing that graduation stage.

What Makes You a Good Fit for PCE?

Let’s be real about who this grant is for. If you’re fresh out of high school looking for your first college experience, this isn’t your program. PCE is specifically designed for women whose education has been interrupted women who’ve been out in the world, gained some life experience, and now need to return to school to support themselves and their families.

The beauty of PCE is its flexibility. These grants can cover a wide range of educational expenses beyond just tuition. We’re talking books, supplies, testing fees, even transportation costs (though they’re practical about it they’ll cover gas and parking, not car payments). They understand that going back to school often means arranging childcare, so they’ll cover those costs too. If your program requires special equipment or uniforms, that’s included as well.

One thing that stands out about PCE is the human element. You can’t just apply online out of the blue. You need to be recommended by a local P.E.O. chapter, which means someone in your community has to believe in you enough to sponsor your application. It might sound like an extra hurdle, but it’s actually part of what makes this program special you’re not just another application in a pile; you’re someone with a champion in your corner.

The Ripple Effect of Education

When you dig into the philosophy behind PCE, you discover something pretty profound. The P.E.O. Sisterhood understands that educating a woman doesn’t just change her life it creates ripples that touch her family, her community, and future generations. They’re not just funding degrees; they’re investing in nurses like Juanita Ramirez, who used her PCE grant to complete her Bachelor’s in Nursing, or Reina Rauda Miranda, who achieved her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse with their help.

These success stories aren’t outliers they’re exactly what PCE was designed to create. Women who, despite life’s interruptions, found a way to return to school and create better futures for themselves and their families. The program has helped thousands of women since its inception, each with their own story of determination and resilience.

Navigating the Application Process

So how does this actually work? The process begins with finding a connection to a local P.E.O. chapter. If you don’t know a member, you can fill out their “Information for Potential PCE Sponsorship” form, though this isn’t the application itself it’s more like raising your hand to say you’re interested.

Once a chapter decides to sponsor you (after an interview and vote), you’ll receive an online application from the P.E.O. Executive Office. You’ll have 30 days to complete it, including detailed financial information. This part is crucial they’re looking at your actual need, so be prepared to be transparent about your income and expenses.

If your application is denied due to financial planning issues, don’t lose hope. PCE allows you to reapply with an improved financial plan, which shows they’re not just looking for perfect candidates they’re looking for women they can genuinely help succeed.

What PCE Won’t Cover

It’s equally important to understand what PCE grants won’t cover. They’re not for living expenses or paying off existing student loans. They won’t fund prerequisite courses you need to get into another program. And if you’re planning to immediately continue your education beyond the program you’re applying for, you’re not eligible. This isn’t a forever funding source it’s targeted help for a specific goal.

Also, if you’ve already earned a master’s degree or higher, or if you’re in a post-master’s certificate or doctoral program, PCE isn’t designed for you. This is focused on women completing certificate or undergraduate degree programs.

The P.E.O. Difference

What really sets PCE apart from other grant programs is the network behind it. When you receive a PCE grant, you’re not just getting money—you’re joining a sisterhood that has been supporting women’s education for over 150 years. The organization’s five philanthropic programs have helped more than 122,000 women pursue their educational dreams. That’s not just impressive it’s revolutionary.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood has evolved significantly since its founding in 1869. From those seven original students at Iowa Wesleyan University, it has grown into an international organization with chapters across the United States and Canada. They’ve adapted with the times while staying true to their core mission of women helping women reach for the stars.

Making Your Application Stand Out

If you’re considering applying for a PCE grant, think about what makes your story compelling. They’re looking for women who are committed to completing their education and using it to improve their lives. Be specific about your goals, your challenges, and how this grant will help you overcome them.

Remember that the financial planning aspect is crucial. They want to see that you’ve thought through how you’ll manage your expenses during your final months of school. A realistic, well-thought-out budget can make the difference between approval and denial.

Looking Beyond the Grant

While the PCE grant itself is a one-time award, the connections you make through the P.E.O. Sisterhood can last a lifetime. Many recipients maintain relationships with their sponsoring chapters long after graduation. These connections can lead to mentorship opportunities, professional networking, and even friendships that enrich your life in unexpected ways.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood understands that education is about more than just classes and grades it’s about personal growth, confidence building, and creating opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Their approach is holistic, recognizing that supporting women’s education means supporting women as whole people with complex lives and responsibilities.

If you’re a woman whose education was interrupted but you’re now close to completing your program, the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education could be exactly what you need to cross that finish line. It’s more than financial assistance—it’s a vote of confidence in your potential from a sisterhood that has been believing in women since 1869.

At Grantaura, we understand that finding the right funding can make all the difference in achieving your educational goals. Our team of experts specializes in helping women navigate the complex world of grants and scholarships. Whether you’re looking for grants specifically for women or need assistance with crafting a compelling application, we’re here to help. We’ve helped countless applicants secure funding through programs like the EmpowerHer Fund and Giving Joy Grants, and we can help you too. Let our expertise guide you toward the funding opportunities that align with your unique journey and goals.

Focus: women’s education, continuing education, non-traditional students, need-based grants, career advancement, workforce re-entry, adult education

Region: United States, Canada

Eligibility:
– Must be a woman
– Must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States or Canada
– Must be recommended by a local P.E.O. chapter
– Must be enrolled in a certification or degree program from an accredited institution
– Must not have already earned a master’s degree or above
– Must be living and studying in the U.S. or Canada for the entire course of study
– Must have had at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student sometime in adult life
– Must be within 18 consecutive months of completing educational program
– Must be enrolled in an education program that will lead to employment or job advancement

Benefits:
– One-time grant with a maximum award of $4,000
– Coverage for tuition, books, supplies, testing and graduation fees
– Transportation costs (gas, parking, local bus fare only)
– Childcare costs (while in class or studying)
– Uniforms required by the educational program
– Equipment/tools necessary for the course of study

Deadline: Rolling

Terms:
– P.E.O.: Philanthropic Educational Organization, a women’s organization founded in 1869 dedicated to promoting educational opportunities for women.
– PCE: Program for Continuing Education, a need-based grant program established in 1973 to provide one-time financial assistance to women whose education has been interrupted.
– Non-student: A period of 24 consecutive months where the applicant was not enrolled in any educational program.
– Accredited institution: A school or program that has been recognized as meeting certain standards of educational quality.
– Certification program: A course of study that leads to a professional certification rather than a degree.
– Degree program: A course of study that leads to an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree.
– Financial plan: A detailed budget showing income and expenses related to completing the educational program.
– Sponsoring chapter: The local P.E.O. chapter that recommends and supports an applicant through the grant process.