About the P.E.O. Program for
Continuing Education (PCE)
The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, established in 1973, is a need based grant program providing one-time financial assistance to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school tocomplete a degree or certification that improves their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and/or their families.
Grants
The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) is intended to provide one-time need based grants to women of the United States and 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
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.
Information for Women Interested in PCE Grant
Consideration
Membership in P.E.O. is not a requirement for grant award
consideration. However, access to the online application is given only after the members of a P.E.O. chapter have voted to
sponsor a candidate. In order to protect the privacy of its
members, membership lists, including contact information, are never provided to non-P.E.O.s.
If you are interested in being considered for chapter sponsorship, you should:
• Carefully read through the Eligibility criteria, and all other
information provided on this site.
• Contact [email protected] or 910-215-9377 for
forms.
PCE Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility
A woman is eligible for recommendation by a local chapter if she:
• is a citizen of the United States or Canada; • is enrolled in a certification or degree program;
• is living and studying in the United States or Canada for the
• has had at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student
sometime in her adult life;
• is within 24 consecutive months of completing her
educational program which, at the conclusion of, will lead to employment or job advancement. Will complete her
program of education within 24 months after the beginning date of the term for which the grant is requested;
A woman is not eligible for grant consideration if she:
• is requesting the grant for use in prerequisite courses
needed to secure admission into another program of study;
• is choosing immediate continuation of her education
beyond the current program for which the grant is requested;
• is enrolled in a doctoral degree program.
A chapter recommendation must be submitted no less than 10 weeks prior to the start date of the term for which the grant is requested, however, it cannot be accepted more than four months in advance of that date.
Chapter Recommendation
When a chapter identifies a prospective applicant, the
chapter’s PCE chairman will arrange an interview to assess eligibility. If the chapter votes to recommend and sponsor the applicant, the chairman oversees the online application process, which starts with the Chapter Recommendation Form and
Letter. The CRF&L is posted on the PCE page of the member only portion of the P.E.O. International website.
After the CRF&L has been reviewed by the project supervisor, the applicant will be sent emailed instructions for setting up her online account along with a deadline for completion of her portion of the application. The PCE Application and Income and
calendar days after the applicant has this email and the chapter contact will also be advised of the deadline.
Awards
The Board of Trustees of the P.E.O Program for Continuing
Education will evaluate applications on a nondiscriminatory basis without consideration of race, national origin, religious affiliation, disability or P.E.O. connection with the primary consideration being the applicant’s demonstrated overall need for assistance. When a grant is approved, the check is mailed to
the PCE contact listed on the chapter recommendation form to be presented personally to the recipient.
Endowed and Named Scholars
Endowed PCE Scholarships may be established in honor or memory of an individual or chapter. The funds are held in the P.E.O.Foundation.
A one-time gift of USD $3,000 may be designated as a Named Scholarship in honor or memory of an individual or chapter.
Chapter Recommendation
When a chapter identifies a prospective applicant, the local Chapter’s PCE chairman will arrange an interview to assess eligibility. If the chapter votes to recommend and sponsor the applicant for PCE grant consideration, the chairman oversees the online application process, which starts with the Chapter Recommendation Form and Letter. The CRF&L is posted on the PCE page of the member only portion of the P.E.O. International website which is password protected for member only access. When a chapter identifies a prospective applicant, the local chapter’s PCE chairman will arrange an interview to assess eligibility. If the chapter votes to recommend and sponsor the
applicant for PCE grant consideration, the chairman oversees the online application process, which starts with the Chapter Recommendation Form and Letter. The CRF&L is posted on the PCE page of the member only portion of the P.E.O. International website which is password protected for member only access. After the CRF&L has been submitted electronically and reviewed by the project supervisor, the applicant will be sent emailed
instructions for setting up her online account. This email will include a specific 30 day deadline for completing and submitting along with a deadline for completion of her portion of the
application. The PCE Application and Income and Expense Statement must be submitted online no later than 30 calendar days after the applicant has this email and The chapter contact will also be advised of the deadline
When a chapter identifies a prospective applicant, the local chapter’s PCE chairman will arrange an interview to assess eligibility. If the chapter votes to recommend the applicant for PCE grant consideration, the chairman oversees the online application process, which starts with the Chapter
Recommendation Form and Letter. The CRF&L is posted on the PCE page of the P.E.O. International website which is password protected for member only access.
After the CRF&L has been submitted electronically and reviewed by the project supervisor, the applicant will be sent emailed
instructions for setting up her online account. This email will include a specific 30-day deadline for completing and submitting the PCE Application and Income and Expense Statement. The chapter contact will also be advised of the deadline.
