American InterContinental University (AIU) Online has launched a new scholarship program for working women, offering scholarships that could be worth as much as $35,000 to two current AIU Online students. The scholarship funds will be applied to their choice of degree program, with the goal of helping the two women complete their degrees.

AIU cites Women Employed, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the economic status of women, as inspiration for the Working Woman scholarship program, pointing out that a woman with an associate degree or bachelor’s degree can often earn far more than one with only a high school education. The additional pay that comes with a degree can make a big difference to the many working women who are also single mothers.

Women Employed marketing and communications director Rebecca Wellisch underscored the disappointing fact that women in the U.S. still only earn 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, stating, “Earning a degree is one of the best ways to get ahead in the workplace and try to close the salary gap.”

AIU Online provides web-based, career-focused education to a wide range of students, from traditional-age campus-based students to working mothers and fathers, a core population of nontraditional students. Approximately 68% of AIU Online female 2008 graduates worked while attending school. The flexibility of online education is a big help to many working women who want to earn a degree but also have time for their family and maintain a manageable work-life balance.

The two Working Women scholarships will be awarded to women students already enrolled at AIU Online. To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 or older, work at least 20 hours a week, and be in pursuit of an AIU Online undergraduate or graduate degree. Working Woman Scholarship candidates will be required to submit an application, a personal essay between 300 and 750 words, and a letter of recommendation from her current employer.

“AIU recognizes the desire for many of our female students to obtain additional education in order to provide a better life for themselves and their families,” said Steve Tober, CEO of AIU and President of AIU Online. “We hope that this scholarship will help alleviate the stress of paying for postsecondary education and support outstanding women who are struggling to balance work, life and school responsibilities by demonstrating our belief in them.”

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