State Funding
Each state offers its own financial aid assistance programs in higher education. Start looking for funding opportunities at the local level by selecting your state’s official website (http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/org_list.cfm?category_ID=SHE) via the U.S. Department of Education’s homepage.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
There are many types (http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/about/title4_programs.html) of U.S. government-funded student aid, ranging from Pell Grants (need-based college funds that don’t have to be paid back) to work-study programs (part-time campus employment with pay covering tuition). Federal aid often doesn’t cover the entire cost of your education, but it can definitely be part of your funding package. Complete your online application here. (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/)

American Association of University Women (AAUW)
AAUW (http://www.aauw.org/) offers grants, fellowships and awards to help women change careers, advance in the workplace, re-enter the workforce or enter a degree program in which participation by women has traditionally been low, such as architecture, computer science and engineering.

Career-Based Funding
Special resources may be available depending on your career field, gender or race. For instance, there’s the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship (http://www.google.com/anitaborg/us/) for women in computer science and technology, the World Studio AIGA Scholarships (http://www.aiga.org/worldstudio-scholarship/) for those pursuing visual arts (with importance given to minority applicants) or the Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA) (http://www.efwa.org/scholarships_undergraduate.php). It won’t hurt to do a quick online search to see if there’s aid that specifically targets who you are and what you want to study. 

Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Program for Continuing Education
This program provides financial assistance to women in the United States and Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and/or their families. View the fact sheet here: http://www.peointernational.org/sites/www.peointernational.org/files/content/pce-info-card-updates.2012.02.14.pdf