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How to Get Scholarships for Part Time Students
By
Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.
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Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.
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Caitlyn Cole is a college access professional with a decade of experience in non-profit program and project management for college readiness and access organizations.
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Attending college part-time is a great way to obtain a college education even if you aren’t in a position to enroll full-time. Luckily, there are many scholarships out there for part-time students. While many scholarships require full-time enrollment, some have no requirements and some even cater specifically to part time students.
We’ve assembled a guide to show part time students how to find scholarships that match their demographic and life situation. We also recommend that you look through our other scholarship lists to find potential matches; there are many scholarships out there that allow part time student candidates.
Look for scholarships that cater to your situation
As a part time student, you may have extenuating life circumstances that prohibit you from enrolling full-time. These circumstances can actually make you uniquely qualified for selective scholarships; it’s a good idea to seek these scholarships out, as they tend to have smaller applicant pools and are catered to specific situations.
Some examples of situations that would encourage part-time enrollment are parenthood, disabilities/illnesses, and job/career responsibilities. Each of these considerations could prevent you from devoting yourself to full-time studies, but they also qualify you for many scholarships! Here are some of our scholarship lists for demographics that commonly enroll part time:
- Top scholarships for moms and single moms
- Top scholarships for online students
- Top scholarships for adults
- Top scholarships for disabled students
- Top learning disabilities scholarships
- Top scholarships for non-traditional students
You can also make use of our personalized scholarship search tool, which will custom-match you to vetted scholarships and automatically update with new opportunities.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See all easy scholarships
Utilize the Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is available to all students who demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The amount that you will receive depends on a broad variety of factors, including your family’s income, your enrollment status, and your assets. However, students of any enrollment status are eligible for Pell Grant funds, so be sure to fill out your FAFSA in a timely manner to ensure that you are considered for Pell Grant funds.
Read more: When is the 2023-2024 FAFSA deadline?
Use your life experiences in your applications
If you have a story to tell in your applications, make sure that you tell it! Part time students can arise from a complex life situation, which can leave an impression on scholarship applications. If you have beaten the odds to obtain a higher education, you should ensure that your readers know however much of the story you feel comfortable telling.
Part time students with children can discuss the lessons they have learned from balancing an education and raising their children. Students who are working full-time can discuss the life skills they have picked up from their job. Students with disabilities can mention the lessons they have learned from managing their disabilities.
When you are telling your story, make sure to zoom out and discuss how your experiences have impacted you as a student, as a person, and as a future member of the workforce. Reflecting on your experiences is a key part to standing out from the crowd.
Read more: How to write a winning scholarship essay
Good luck on your search for scholarships. Remember to utilize what makes you unique to stand out from the crowd! Seeking out scholarships that appeal to your life story, and telling that story succinctly and powerfully will make a strong impression on your reader.
Related: Google Certification Program: Everything you need to know
Key Takeaways
Frequently asked questions about scholarships for part time students
What are some other funding options for part-time students?
Are Pell Grants only available to undergraduate students?
When should I fill out the FAFSA as a part time student?
