Scholarships for Adults and Nontraditional Students
The cost of college can be expensive no matter your age, but financial aid can help relieve some of this burden.
Scholarships can help students of all ages and backgrounds afford college. Some scholarships are catered to support students of certain backgrounds or identities.
Many scholarships and other student resources are aimed at students who are fresh out of high school. However, these may not meet the needs of nontraditional students.
Nontraditional students often choose to go back to school to earn additional credentials or skills to change careers or progress in their current roles. They also may have family or work responsibilities, which means they have different financial considerations and needs.
Read on to learn more about scholarships available to adults and nontraditional students.
17 Scholarships for Adults and Nontraditional Learners
We’ve compiled a list of scholarships for adult and nontraditional students as a starting point — look into additional opportunities based on your background, achievements, and professional goals.
1. Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Scholarship Program
- Amount: $2,000-$10,000
- Deadline: Varies
- Who is eligible? The ASIST award is available to adult students facing physical, economic, and/or social challenges. Candidates apply through one of the organization’s local chapters. Requirements vary by chapter, but applicants generally need to demonstrate financial need and have clearly defined career goals.
2. Alpha Sigma Lambda Scholarship
- Amount: $2,000-$3,000
- Deadline: April
- Who is eligible? Adult students attending a school with an active Alpha Sigma Lambda chapter can apply. Applicants must have completed at least 24 credits of coursework with a minimum 3.2 GPA.
3. American Legion Auxiliary Nontraditional Student Scholarship
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: March 1
- Who is eligible? This scholarship is open to members of the American Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of the American Legion. Applicants must also be considered nontraditional students and either veterans or spouses of service members.
4. ‘Be Bold’ No-Essay Scholarship
- Amount: $25,000
- Deadline: June
- Who is eligible? This scholarship is open to students of all ages, education levels, locations, and GPAs. Award recipients are chosen based on how “bold” their Bold.org profile is — defined as earnest, determined, and moving.
5. College JumpStart Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: June 30
- Who is eligible? This award program is for traditional learners as well as nontraditional and adult students. Applicants submit an online form, providing some personal information and a 250-word statement of purpose responding to a designated prompt.
6. Courage to Grow Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: June 30
- Who is eligible? Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and a college student with a minimum GPA of 2.5. You must submit a 250-word essay on why you deserve the scholarship. A new winner is named each month.
7. Return 2 College Scholarship Program
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: Sept. 30
- Who is eligible? This program accepts applications from students currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as those who plan on enrolling within the next 12 months. Applicants must be at least 17 years old. They must submit an online form that includes a three-sentence essay explaining their reasons for getting a college degree.
8. Royal Neighbors of America Scholarship Program
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: Jan. 31
- Who is eligible? This scholarship supports beneficial members of Royal Neighbors who are enrolled in two-year or four-year colleges or vocational/skilled trade programs. Applicants need a minimum 2.5 high school GPA.
9. SuperCollege Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: May 31
- Who is eligible? This program accepts applications from traditional and adult students. Applicants must submit an online form that includes information about their target degree and career goals. SuperCollege draws the winner randomly.
10. Unigo $10K Scholarship
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: Dec. 31
- Who is eligible? This scholarship is available to U.S. citizens who are currently students. To apply, you must answer the questions: Would you rather be smart, funny, or rich? And why?
11. Adult Skills Education Program Grant
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: Dec. 31
- Who is eligible? Students over 19 who have a high school diploma or equivalent and are attending one of the 400 participating schools. It is a one-time scholarship, and students must demonstrate financial need.
12. Osher Reentry Scholarship Program
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
- Who is eligible? Eligible applicants must have a cumulative gap in their education of at least five years, be pursuing their first undergraduate degree, and demonstrate financial need and academic promise. Students must attend one of the partner colleges as the foundation distributes funds to schools and not applicants directly. The scholarship is meant to benefit students typically between the ages of 25 and 50.
13. Empower Her Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: Varies
- Who is eligible? Any pregnant or parenting student attending a college or university in Nebraska. Applying students must have at least a 2.5 GPA.
14. Folded Flag Foundation
- Amount: $5,000-$7,500 a year
- Deadline: May 15 for fall and spring semesters, April 15 for summer scholarships
- Who is eligible? The Folded Flag Foundation provides scholarships to spouses and families of fallen members of the U.S. military. To apply, you will need to provide proof of eligibility, need, and enrollment.
15. Geneva Fund
- Amount: $20,000 distributed over four years
- Deadline: May 15
- Who is eligible? Applicants must have become a teen mother or be currently pregnant. They must have a high school diploma or GED certificate, and be a first-time college student or returning to college after a pause due to parenting. Application requires submission of a 500-word essay.
16. AIAS Foundation Scholarship
- Amount: $2,000-$2,500
- Deadline: May 31
- Who is eligible? Eligible applicants must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students, at least 21 years of age, and have a 3.3 minimum GPA. Applicants must be pursuing a career or working as a professional in game development.
17. Fully Bloomed Scholarship
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: May 31
- Who is eligible? Applicants must be from a household with an annual combined income of less than $45,000, have a high school diploma, and be in pursuit of a degree or certificate from a college, university, or trade school. Applicants must submit one letter of recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adult and Nontraditional Student Scholarships
Adult students are usually considered people over 24 years old who are attending college for the first time or returning to school after a long hiatus.
While there is no singular definition of “nontraditional students,” these learners are often individuals who did not enroll in a campus-based college program immediately after graduating from high school. This can include adult students, online students, and students with children.
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