The AARP Foundation has announced a call for entries for its sixth annual Women's Scholarship Program. The program provides funds to low-income women age 50 and older who are seeking new job skills, training, and educational opportunities to support themselves and their families.

To be eligible fo a scholarship, 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. The program will give priority to women raising the family members of others, to women that have been out of the workforce for more than a year, and to older women veterans.

Scholarship winners are chosen on the basis of financial need, personal circumstances and achievements, educational goals, and the likely impact of the scholarship on their lives.

Scholarship awards range from $500 to $5,000, depending on financial need and the cost of the education or training program. The number of scholarships awarded varies from year to year, depending on the availability of funds and the number of applicants. In 2011, the program awarded over three hundred and fifty scholarships.

Funds may be used for partial or full tuition, fees, and books, and may be used for part-time as well as full-time study. Funds will be distributed directly to the institution.

Interested students must apply directly to AARP Foundation. Complete program guidelines and application procedures are available at the AARP Web site (http://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/scholarships.html?cmp=RDRCT-WSCHP_JAN26_012). The deadline for applications is March 30, 2012.

The scholarship program is made possible by the AARP Foundation with generous support from the Walmart Foundation and AARP.