P.E.O. International

P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization where women CELEBRATE the advancement of women; EDUCATE women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College and MOTIVATE women to achieve their highest aspirations. P.E.O. proudly makes a difference in women’s lives with programs that provide higher educational assistance:

• Educational Loan Fund
  2% interest rate loan to a qualified woman to assist her in securing a higher education. $12,000 for associate and bachelor degree programs, technical and post graduate training and post graduate certification; $15,000 for master’s degree; $20,000 for doctoral degree. Contact Chapter FO if interested in applying.
• Program for Continuing Education
  Need-based, maximum $3,000 grant for woman 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. Contact Chapter FO if interested in applying.
• Scholar Awards
  Maximum $20,000 merit-based award for women who are pursuing a doctoral-level degree at an accredited college or university. Contact Chapter FO if interested in applying. Online nominations will be accepted August 20-November 20.
• International Peace Scholarship
  Maximum $12,000 scholarship for international women students who pursue graduate study in the U.S. Apply online at peointernational.org.

Please visit the Philanthropic and Educational Organization (P.E.O.) International Website for a full list of scholarships, grants and awards offered. Recipients need not be members of P.E.O. All applicants, except for the International Peace Scholarship, which students apply for at peointernational.org, must be recommended by a local P.E.O. Chapter.

Applicants from the Yorkville, Sandwich, Plano, Somonauk, Serena, Leland or Morris area should contact Linda Benson, President, P.E.O. Chapter FO Sandwich, at (815) 739-7677 or ljbenson_7@comcast.net.

Applicants may also contact Susan Drinan, North Central alumna and current P.E.O. member, at (312) 919-0888 or blackthorne369@att.net for additional information.

About P.E.O
P.E.O. was founded on January 21, 1869, by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. This circle of kindred spirits – bonded by their enthusiasm for women’s opportunities – eventually expanded to include women off campus as well. Today, P.E.O. has grown from that tiny membership of seven to more than 225,000 members in chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada, with headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.

Friendship is the cornerstone of P.E.O. – it is the legacy left by our Founders and it thrives in our unique Sisterhood. P.E.O. exists to be a source of encouragement and support for women to realize their potential in whatever worthwhile endeavor they choose. True to the mission of promoting educational opportunities for women, education continues to be the primary philanthropy of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. In fact, the P.E.O. Sisterhood proudly sponsors six international philanthropies, or projects, designed to assist women with their educational goals. As a result, P.E.O. is clearly making a difference in the lives of women all over the world. More than 105,000 women have benefited from our organization’s educational grants, loans, awards, special projects and stewardship of Cottey College.