Our Sisterhood proudly makes a difference in women's lives with six philanthropies that include ownership of an all-women's college, Cottey College, and five projects that provide higher educational assistance:

Program/Project Summary Candidates Maximum Award
Cottey College Nationally ranked, fully accredited, independent, liberal arts and sciences college for women located in Nevada, Missouri, has been owned/supported by P.E.O. since 1927 and offers baccalaureate and associate degrees in a variety of majors. Cottey College, a debt-free institution, welcomes women from around the world.
 		 Admission based on academic performance, ACT/SAT scores, extracurricular activities, academic recommendations and potential for academic success Various forms of funding available
P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund (ELF) A loan fund established in 1907 to lend money to qualifited women students to assist them in securing a higher education
 
  • High school graduate or equivalent
  • Enrolled in accredited U.S. or Canadian school and within two years of completing course of study
  • U.S. or Canadian citizen or legal permanent resident recommended by a local P.E.O. chapter
  • $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
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund (IPS) A fund established in 1949 to provide scholarships for selected women from other countries for graduate study in the U.S. or Canada. 
 
  • Must be a graduate student or student attending Cottey College from a country other than the U.S. or Canada.
  • Must be enrolled and have a full academic year of in-residence coursework remaining.
  • No chapter sponsorship or recommendation is required.
 $12,500 
P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) Established in 1973 to provide need-based grants to women in the U.S. and Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification that will improve their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and/or their families.
  • Must have spent at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student sometime in her adult life and be within 18 consecutive months of completing her educational goal from an accredited institution.
  • U.S. or Canadian citizen or legal permanent resident recommended by a local P.E.O. chapter
 $3,000 
P.E.O. Scholar Awards (PSA) Established in 1991 to provide substantial merit-based awards for women in the U.S. and Canada who are pursuing a doctoral-level degree at an accredited college or university. 
 
  • Must have earned, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree; is within two years of graduation; at the time of the award, has one full year of academic work remaining; and is enrolled full time during the year of the award.
  • U.S. or Canadian citizen or legal permanent resident nominated by a local P.E.O. chapter
 $20,000 
P.E.O. STAR Scholarship Established in 2009 to provide scholarships for exceptional women in their final year of high school to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada in the next academic year. U.S. or Canadian citizen or legal permanent resident recommended by a local P.E.O. chapter $2,500 

Click on the name of the project for more information and specific requirements for application. Please refer to the published policies for additional information on payment information. 

All grants, scholarships and loans, with the exception of the International Peace Scholarship (IPS), require applicants be sponsored by a local chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Individual donors may make tax-deductible gifts to the above mentioned projects or through the P.E.O. Foundation. Find out more about giving opportunities.

Projects Fact Chart