P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund
P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund Educational Loan Fund (ELF) is a revolving loan fund established in 1907 to lend money to qualified women students to assist them in securing a higher education.
The P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund (ELF) makes loans available to qualified women who desire higher education and are in need of financial assistance. All applicants for the ELF Loan Fund must be recommended by a local chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. The current rate of interest is 2 percent.
Maximum loan amounts are:
- $12,000 for a non-degree accredited program, an associate or bachelor’s degree
- $15,000 for a master’s degree
- $20,000 for a doctoral degree
The specific loan amount is based on the program of study and the availability of funds. A student may apply for a loan up to the amount recommended by her sponsoring chapter.
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS) Fund was established in 1949 to provide scholarships for international women students to pursue graduate study in the United States and Canada.
The scholarship is based upon demonstrated need; however, the award is not intended to cover all academic or personal expenses. At the time of application, the applicant is required to indicate additional financial resources adequate to meet her estimated expenses. Examples of additional resources are personal and family funds, tuition waivers, work scholarships, teaching assistantships, study grants and other scholarships.
The maximum amount awarded to a student is $12,500. Lesser amounts may be awarded according to individual needs.
P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education
P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) was established in 1973 to provide need-based grants 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.
The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) is intended to provide one-time need-based grants to women who are citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States or Canada for use in completing a degree or certification necessary for improving or gaining skills leading to employment.
- The maximum grant is $3,000.
- Lesser amounts may be awarded based on funds available in the current year’s grant budget and applicants’ individual needs.
- Grants will not be awarded for prerequisite courses or to those needing or choosing immediate continuation of their education beyond the current program for which the grant is requested.
- A PCE grant is not to be used for living expenses or to repay educational loans or personal debt.
- A PCE grant is a grant-in-aid for education related expenses such as: tuition, books, supplies, testing and graduation fees, transportation (only for estimated cost of gas, parking, and local bus fare, not for auto loan payments or maintenance), childcare (only while in class or studying), uniforms required by the educational program, equipment/tools necessary for the course of study
- Grants may be awarded for academic or technical courses including online programs offered by educational institutions in the United States or Canada.
P.E.O. Scholar Awards
P.E.O. Scholar Awards (PSA) was established in 1991 to provide substantial merit-based awards for women in the United States and Canada who are pursuing a doctoral-level degree at an accredited college or university.
A woman is eligible for nomination by a local chapter if she:
- Is a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada at the time of her nomination
- At a minimum, has a bachelor’s degree
- Is within two years of her graduation date and has at least one full academic year of work remaining to complete her doctoral-level degree as measured from the time the first award payment is made (August 1). Those in a multiple-degree program (e.g., pursuing both an M.D. and a Ph.D.) must be within two years of completing the entire program from that date.
- Is enrolled in her program at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university. Studying abroad is permitted provided the student is enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian post-secondary institution.
- Is enrolled part-time at the time of nomination, provided she is enrolled full time during the year of the award.
P.E.O. STAR Scholarship
The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship was established in 2009 to provide scholarships for exceptional high school senior women to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the United States or Canada in the next academic year.
This is a non-renewable $2,500 scholarship for graduating women in their final year of high school which must be used in the academic year following graduation or it will be forfeited.
This is a non-renewable $2,500 scholarship for graduating women in their final year of high school which must be used in the academic year following graduation or it will be forfeited.
At the discretion of the recipient, funds may be paid directly to the recipient or to the accredited educational institution. Funds used for tuition and fees or required books and equipment are usually non-taxable for income tax purposes. Funds used for room and board might be reportable income for tax purposes. Recipients and their families will decide on the use of funds and will be responsible for any taxes incurred. Recipients and their families should seek professional tax guidance.
New Jersey Scholarships
New Jersey State Chapter also offers assistance via its own projects:
The New Jersey Cottey College Fund provides grants and a scholarship for young women attending and interested in attending Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri.
Some New Jersey LOCAL Chapters also offer scholarships/grants:
- The Alie Reichling Memorial Scholarship was established by New Jersey P.E.O. Chapter AN, Cherry Hill in 2014 to provide assistance to students who are or will be continuing their education in college or graduate school. The scholarship is in memory of Alie who was a giving, nourishing, and supportive young lady who devoted much of her energy to volunteer work and to the development of programs to help others. This scholarship is awarded to like minded individuals who show volunteer activities reflecting actively caring for individuals. Any field of study or school may be considered with emphasis on psychology and/or social work. The maximum scholarship awarded is $2500. Contact point: Jo Ann Reichling at jareich1@aol.com