P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education
The 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. http://www.peointernational.org/about-peo-program-continuing-education-pce
The maximum one time grant is $3,000 though lesser amounts may be awarded according to available funds and financial need. The grant may not be used for living expenses or to repay loans of any kind. It also may not be used to pay past educational expenses, including those previously paid with borrowed monies, credit card or student loans. While grants may be used for academic and technical courses, they are not intended to cover the cost of prerequisite courses necessary to secure admission into the final program of study. Furthermore, a PCE grant is not approved for use by those intending immediate continuation of their education beyond the program for which the grant is requested: e.g. associates to bachelors or bachelor to masters.
A woman is eligible to apply if she:
- Is sponsored by a P.E.O. chapter;
- Is a citizen of and studying in the United States or Canada;
- Has had at least 24 consecutive months as a nonstudent sometime in her adult life while being within 24 months of completing the educational program that will lead to employment or job advancement in her chosen field.
- Is not enrolled in a doctoral degree program.
Membership in P.E.O. is not a requirement for grant award consideration. Access to the online application can only be provided by a sponsoring P.E.O. chapter; however, in order to protect the privacy of our members, chapter membership information is not provided to interested candidates who are seeking chapter sponsorship.
The time frame for submission of completed applications is as follows: Applications will not be considered more than four months before the beginning of a term but must be completed and submitted at least 10 weeks prior to the term for which the grant is to be considered.