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AARP Foundation Awards Nine Scholarships to Low-Income Illinois Women Over 40

CHICAGO, Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of its fifth annual Women's Scholarship Program, AARP Foundation today announced it has awarded educational scholarships to nine low-income women in Illinois. The scholarships provide funds to older women who are seeking new job skills, training and educational opportunities to support themselves and their families. A total of $23,500 was awarded in increments of $500 to $5,000 depending on financial need and the cost of the education or training program. Nationally, 300 women received scholarships totaling more than $362,000.

"AARP Foundation is committed to elevating opportunities for women," said Bob Gallo, State Director for AARP Illinois. "We are so proud of this program, which has helped hundreds of deserving women have access to educational opportunities that will advance their employment goals and ensure they'll have the financial resources they need as they age."

While many individuals benefit from the work of AARP Foundation, research shows that women are disproportionately at risk of having insufficient funds in the second half of their lives due to lower earnings and different work patterns. AARP Foundation created the Women's Scholarship Program in August 2007 to help older women overcome financial and employment barriers by facilitating their entry into education and training programs they could otherwise not afford. In 2010, 200 scholarships were awarded.

Every year, the Women's Scholarship Program awards scholarships to eligible women with limited financial resources. In addition to being an older student, to be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must:

    --  Be a U.S. Citizen;
    --  Be able to demonstrate financial need; and
    --  Be enrolled in an accredited school or technical training program within
        six months of the scholarship award date.

Scholarship winners are chosen by two independent panels established by AARP Foundation. They are chosen on the basis of financial need, personal circumstances and achievements, educational goals, and the likely impact of the scholarship on their lives. The scholarship application period opens each spring and scholarships are awarded every summer. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/womensscholarship.

The scholarship program is made possible by AARP Foundation donors with generous support from Wal-Mart Foundation and AARP.

SOURCE AARP Illinois