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    Top 50 Scholarships for Nontraditional Students in July 2024

    Will Geiger Written by Will Geiger
    Will Geiger

    Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

    Full Bio

    Learn about our editorial policies

    Updated: July 17th, 2024

    According to research from the Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success, 40% of the current undergraduate students at US colleges and universities are nontraditional. These students do not fit into the 18 to 24 year old demographic of people who go to college directly after high school. Luckily, there are a number of scholarships for nontraditional students available!

    Why choose Scholarships360
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    Scholarship Review Process

    The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

    • The scholarship requires a fee to apply
    • The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
    • The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
    • Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
    • The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
    • The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
    • The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
    • There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
    • The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
    • There is no available contact information

    If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!


    * There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system.
    ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements.
    ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

    Learn about our editorial policies
    50 scholarships
    Sort by

    $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

    This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

    Offered by Scholarships360

    Exclusive
    1 award worth $10,000
    Deadline Jun 30, 2025
    Grade Level All Grade Levels

    Offered by Scholarships360

    Exclusive

    The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high…Show More

    The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high…Show More

    The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education.Show Less

    1 award worth $10,000
    Deadline Jun 30, 2025
    Grade Level All Grade Levels
    Apply

    $2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

    This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

    Offered by Sallie Mae

    Easy Application
    1 award worth $2,000
    Deadline Jul 31, 2024
    Grade Level HS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students

    Offered by Sallie Mae

    Easy Application

    Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

    Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

    Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

    1 award worth $2,000
    Deadline Jul 31, 2024
    Grade Level HS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students
    Apply

    Making the Leap Scholarship for Transfer Students

    This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

    Offered by Scholarships360

    Exclusive
    1 award worth $500
    Deadline Jan 31, 2025
    Grade Level College Students

    Offered by Scholarships360

    Exclusive

    The “Making the Leap” Scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are transferring to another educational institution in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. We know…Show More

    The “Making the Leap” Scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are transferring to another educational institution in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. We know…Show More

    The “Making the Leap” Scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are transferring to another educational institution in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. We know that getting from point A to point B isn’t always straightforward, and that sometimes there are twists, turns, and unexpected detours along the way. If you’re a transfer student making the leap to another school, you probably know what we’re talking about. Switching educational institutions can be challenging, which is why we’re offering a $500 scholarship to help one outstanding transfer student. See the “Application Information” section below for details regarding the short answer response. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their response and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application!Show Less

    1 award worth $500
    Deadline Jan 31, 2025
    Grade Level College Students
    Apply

    BigFuture $40k Essay-Free Scholarship

    This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

    Offered by The College Board

    Easy Application
    1 award worth $40,000
    Deadline Oct 31, 2024
    Grade Level High School Senior

    Offered by The College Board

    Easy Application

    Open to US-Based high school students in the class of 2025 — no essay, minimum GPA, test score, or citizenship requirements.

    Open to US-Based high school students in the class of 2025 — no essay, minimum GPA, test score, or citizenship requirements.

    Open to US-Based high school students in the class of 2025 — no essay, minimum GPA, test score, or citizenship requirements.

    1 award worth $40,000
    Deadline Oct 31, 2024
    Grade Level High School Senior
    Apply

    College JumpStart Scholarship

    Offered by College JumpStart

    Multiple awards worth up to $1,000
    Deadline Oct 17, 2024
    Grade Level HS Sophmores, Juniors, Seniors & College Students

    Offered by College JumpStart

    Are you a high-achieving student academically? You might consider applying for the College JumpStart Scholarship! The College JumpStart Scholarship is open to students in grades…Show More

    Are you a high-achieving student academically? You might consider applying for the College JumpStart Scholarship! The College JumpStart Scholarship is open to students in grades…Show More

    Are you a high-achieving student academically? You might consider applying for the College JumpStart Scholarship! The College JumpStart Scholarship is open to students in grades 10 to 12, as well as traditional college-age and adult learners. The scholarship is biannual, with deadlines on April 15th and October 17th each year. Two lucky students are awarded the College JumpStart Scholarship each application cycle. The scholarship is funded by corporate donations to the College JumpStart, an organization whose motto is “Hard work. Perseverance. Love of learning. These are the traits that the College JumpStart Scholarship rewards.” This scholarship is awarded on the basis of merit only–no financial need or any other factors are considered. If you’re passionate about using education to better your life and that of your family and/or community, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

    Multiple awards worth up to $1,000
    Deadline Oct 17, 2024
    Grade Level HS Sophmores, Juniors, Seniors & College Students
    Get Started

    Niche $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

    This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

    Offered by Niche

    Easy Application
    1 award worth $10,000
    Deadline Jul 31, 2024
    Grade Level All Grade Levels

    Offered by Niche

    Easy Application

    Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

    Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

    Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

    1 award worth $10,000
    Deadline Jul 31, 2024
    Grade Level All Grade Levels
    Apply

    Education Support Award

    Offered by Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation

    5 awards worth up to $5,000
    Deadline Aug 1, 2024
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students

    Offered by Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation

    Are you a woman of at least 17 years of age with minor children and demonstrated financial need? Further, are you currently pursuing a first…Show More

    Are you a woman of at least 17 years of age with minor children and demonstrated financial need? Further, are you currently pursuing a first…Show More

    Are you a woman of at least 17 years of age with minor children and demonstrated financial need? Further, are you currently pursuing a first degree at a post-secondary level of education whose degree program is adding to the level of education you've already accomplished (ex: bachelor’s after associate’s, advanced degree after a bachelor’s)? If so, consider applying for the Education Support Award! Each year, the award grants up to $5,000 to five (5) lucky applicants who meet the above criteria and who will be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution for the upcoming school year. In order to apply, you must fill out an online application and answer five (5) short-answer and one (1) essay question. If you’re a degree-seeking mother with minor children and you need some financial assistance, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

    5 awards worth up to $5,000
    Deadline Aug 1, 2024
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students
    Get Started

    Tennessee HOPE Scholarship for Nontraditional Students

    Offered by Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation

    Multiple awards worth up to $2,850
    Deadline Sep 1, 2024
    Grade Level College Students

    Offered by Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation

    The Tennessee HOPE Scholarship for Nontraditional Students is an incredible opportunity for Tennessee residents who are nontraditional post-secondary students. Applicants must be independent students enrolled…Show More

    The Tennessee HOPE Scholarship for Nontraditional Students is an incredible opportunity for Tennessee residents who are nontraditional post-secondary students. Applicants must be independent students enrolled…Show More

    The Tennessee HOPE Scholarship for Nontraditional Students is an incredible opportunity for Tennessee residents who are nontraditional post-secondary students. Applicants must be independent students enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible Tennessee four-year postsecondary institution. To apply, students must submit the FAFSA by September 1 for the Fall semester, March 1st for the Spring semester, and May 1st for the Summer semester. If the scholarship is awarded to a student, the recipient must maintain continuous enrollment, a low adjusted gross income, and satisfactory academic progress to renew it. This is a perfect opportunity for those who are looking to further their education and achieve their dreams. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity!Show Less

    Multiple awards worth up to $2,850
    Deadline Sep 1, 2024
    Grade Level College Students
    Get Started

    $10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship

    This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

    Offered by CollegeXpress

    Easy Application
    1 award worth $10,000
    Deadline May 1, 2025
    Grade Level High School Students

    Offered by CollegeXpress

    Easy Application

    Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

    Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

    Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

    1 award worth $10,000
    Deadline May 1, 2025
    Grade Level High School Students
    Apply

    Get Educated Online College Scholarship Program

    Offered by GetEducated.com

    Multiple awards worth $1,000
    Deadline Oct 15, 2024
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students

    Offered by GetEducated.com

    Are you a student attending an online university? If so, you might be interested in applying for the Get Educated Online College Scholarship Program! The…Show More

    Are you a student attending an online university? If so, you might be interested in applying for the Get Educated Online College Scholarship Program! The…Show More

    Are you a student attending an online university? If so, you might be interested in applying for the Get Educated Online College Scholarship Program! The scholarship is open to U.S. citizens enrolled in accredited online degree programs in the USA. The program is offered through GetEducated.com, an online free counseling center. Through this program, they aim to provide support to students in distance learning and other online degree programs. Thus, twice a year, their Get Educated Online College Scholarship awards $1,000 awards to help online students pay for their tuition costs. The deadlines for the scholarship are March 15th and October 15th of every year. If you are an online student looking for a scholarship opportunity, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

    Multiple awards worth $1,000
    Deadline Oct 15, 2024
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students
    Get Started

    Charles Pulling Sr. Memorial Scholarship

    Offered by Bold.org

    2 awards worth $1,000
    Deadline Nov 17, 2025
    Grade Level High School & College Students

    Offered by Bold.org

    Introducing the Charles Pulling Sr. Memorial Scholarship, a tribute to a cherished father and the middle child among eleven siblings, whose circumstances compelled him to…Show More

    Introducing the Charles Pulling Sr. Memorial Scholarship, a tribute to a cherished father and the middle child among eleven siblings, whose circumstances compelled him to…Show More

    Introducing the Charles Pulling Sr. Memorial Scholarship, a tribute to a cherished father and the middle child among eleven siblings, whose circumstances compelled him to enter the workforce prematurely and leave his high school dreams behind. However, recognizing the limited job prospects available to him, he understood that obtaining his high school diploma was the key to unlocking a better life for his loved ones, and headed back to the classroom. This prestigious scholarship aims to honor the memory of Charles Pulling Sr. by empowering those who also wish to enhance their families' lives through education. Whether you are a high school or GED student, an undergraduate pursuing a non-traditional path, a first-generation student, a single parent, someone who took a break from education before returning, or over the age of 25, you are invited to apply. To apply, reveal what sets you apart as a non-traditional student and what fuels your relentless pursuit of greatness.Show Less

    2 awards worth $1,000
    Deadline Nov 17, 2025
    Grade Level High School & College Students
    Get Started

    $25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

    This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

    Offered by Bold.org

    Easy Application
    1 award worth $25,000
    Deadline Aug 1, 2024
    Grade Level All Grade Levels

    Offered by Bold.org

    Easy Application

    Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

    Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

    Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

    1 award worth $25,000
    Deadline Aug 1, 2024
    Grade Level All Grade Levels
    Apply

    Helping Hands for Single Moms – Phoenix Scholarship

    Offered by Helping Hands for Single Moms

    Multiple awards worth Varies
    Deadline Rolling
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students

    Offered by Helping Hands for Single Moms

    Are you the single mom of a young child (or children) in Phoenix who is attending college or university? If so, consider applying for the…Show More

    Are you the single mom of a young child (or children) in Phoenix who is attending college or university? If so, consider applying for the…Show More

    Are you the single mom of a young child (or children) in Phoenix who is attending college or university? If so, consider applying for the Helping Hands for Single Moms - Phoenix Scholarship! The scholarship is open to legally single/divorced moms residing in the Phoenix area who are attending college and able to participate in Single Mom College Community meetings. Eligible applicants must also have at least one child under the age of 11. The scholarship is offered by Helping Hands for Single Moms, a nonprofit organization started in 2002. Their mission is to assist low-income single moms in attaining a post-secondary education. Helping Hands regularly grants awards of varying amounts to help single moms gain financial independence, pursue their postsecondary educations, and provide a positive family legacy for their dependents. If you are a single mom in the Phoenix area who is looking for funds for your education, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

    Multiple awards worth Varies
    Deadline Rolling
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students
    Get Started

    Helping Hands for Single Moms – Dallas Scholarship

    Offered by Helping Hands for Single Moms

    Multiple awards worth Varies
    Deadline Rolling
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students

    Offered by Helping Hands for Single Moms

    Are you the single mom of a young child (or children) in the DFW (Dallas Fort Worth) area who is attending college or university? If…Show More

    Are you the single mom of a young child (or children) in the DFW (Dallas Fort Worth) area who is attending college or university? If…Show More

    Are you the single mom of a young child (or children) in the DFW (Dallas Fort Worth) area who is attending college or university? If so, consider applying for the Helping Hands for Single Moms – Dallas Scholarship! The scholarship is open to legally single/divorced moms residing in the DFW area who are attending college and able to participate in Single Mom College Community meetings. Eligible applicants must also have at least one child under the age of 11. The scholarship is offered by Helping Hands for Single Moms, a nonprofit organization started in 2002. Their mission is to assist low-income single moms in attaining a post-secondary education. Helping Hands regularly grants awards of varying amounts to help single moms gain financial independence, pursue their postsecondary educations, and provide a positive family legacy for their dependents. If you are a single mom in the DFW area who is looking for funds for your education, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

    Multiple awards worth Varies
    Deadline Rolling
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students
    Get Started

    $1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship

    This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

    Offered by Appily

    Easy Application
    Monthly awards worth $1,000
    Deadline Jul 31, 2024
    Grade Level High School Students & College Underclassmen

    Offered by Appily

    Easy Application

    This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be…Show More

    This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be…Show More

    This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month.Show Less

    Monthly awards worth $1,000
    Deadline Jul 31, 2024
    Grade Level High School Students & College Underclassmen
    Apply

    Entertainment Community Fund Professional Development Scholarship

    Offered by Entertainment Community Fund

    Multiple awards worth up to $1,000
    Deadline Rolling
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students

    Offered by Entertainment Community Fund

    The Entertainment Community Fund Professional Development Scholarship is funded by the Entertainment Community Fund, an organization that fosters stability and resiliency, and provides a safety…Show More

    The Entertainment Community Fund Professional Development Scholarship is funded by the Entertainment Community Fund, an organization that fosters stability and resiliency, and provides a safety…Show More

    The Entertainment Community Fund Professional Development Scholarship is funded by the Entertainment Community Fund, an organization that fosters stability and resiliency, and provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan. Every year, their Professional Development Scholarship awards up to $1,000 to multiple professional dancers of 5+ years who are seeking occupational skills training in a certification or licensure program outside of dance. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.Show Less

    Multiple awards worth up to $1,000
    Deadline Rolling
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students
    Get Started

    P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education

    Offered by Philanthropic Educational Organization

    Multiple awards worth up to $3,000
    Deadline 30 days after receiving a chapter recommendation
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students

    Offered by Philanthropic Educational Organization

    Are you a woman enrolled in a certification or degree program? If so, consider applying for the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education! The grant is…Show More

    Are you a woman enrolled in a certification or degree program? If so, consider applying for the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education! The grant is…Show More

    Are you a woman enrolled in a certification or degree program? If so, consider applying for the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education! The grant is open to women within 18 consecutive months of completing their educational program who have had at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student sometime in their adult life. The scholarship is funded by the Philanthropic Educational Organization, an organization that has aimed to support women with their educational aspirations since 1869. Today, P.E.O. provides over $398 million in grants, scholarships, awards, and loans. On a rolling basis, the organization grants $3,000 to recipients of the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education to cover tuition and expenses. If you would like some funds to pay off your postsecondary program, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

    Multiple awards worth up to $3,000
    Deadline 30 days after receiving a chapter recommendation
    Grade Level College & Graduate Students
    Get Started

    $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship

    This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

    Offered by Christian Connector

    Easy Application
    1 award worth $5,000
    Deadline May 31, 2025
    Grade Level High School Students

    Offered by Christian Connector

    Easy Application

    Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

    Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

    Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

    1 award worth $5,000
    Deadline May 31, 2025
    Grade Level High School Students
    Apply

    Thiel Fellowship

    Offered by The Thiel Foundation

    Multiple awards worth $100,000
    Deadline Rolling
    Grade Level High School Seniors, College & Graduate Students

    Offered by The Thiel Foundation

    Are you a budding entrepreneur or inventor with a great idea? Further, have you dropped out of or decided not to attend college to pursue…Show More

    Are you a budding entrepreneur or inventor with a great idea? Further, have you dropped out of or decided not to attend college to pursue…Show More

    Are you a budding entrepreneur or inventor with a great idea? Further, have you dropped out of or decided not to attend college to pursue your idea? If so, we recommend applying for the Thiel Fellowship! The Fellowship consistently awards $100,000 to applicants who submit the most promising and impressive ideas. The fellowship is founded and funded by Peter Thiel, an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and political activist who co-founded Paypal amongst other companies. In order to apply for the Thiel Fellowship, you must be under 23 years of age and submit an application regarding your past work and current pursuits. Applications are accepted and awards are distributed on a rolling basis.  With that said, if you have a great idea that you think you won’t be able to carry out while in college, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

    Multiple awards worth $100,000
    Deadline Rolling
    Grade Level High School Seniors, College & Graduate Students
    Get Started

    Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship

    Offered by Arkansas Department of Higher Education

    Multiple awards worth $1,000 - $5,000
    Expected deadline July 2025
    Grade Level High School Seniors & College Freshmen

    Offered by Arkansas Department of Higher Education

    The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship is open to Arkansas residents who have been accepted for admission at an approved institution of higher education in a…Show More

    The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship is open to Arkansas residents who have been accepted for admission at an approved institution of higher education in a…Show More

    The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship is open to Arkansas residents who have been accepted for admission at an approved institution of higher education in a program of study that leads to a baccalaureate degree, associate degree, qualified certificate, or a nursing school diploma. Applicants must have not previously earned a baccalaureate degree. Interested students should bear in mind that further eligibility requirements are based on two student categories: Traditional (Incoming Freshman) and Nontraditional Students. We recommend visiting the Arkansas' Department of Higher Education's website for additional eligibility criteria under the two categories. The application deadline is July 1 of a student's senior year in high school. Students can earn between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on their year in school. If you're an Arkansas resident looking for help funding your post-secondary education, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

    Multiple awards worth $1,000 - $5,000
    Expected deadline July 2025
    Grade Level High School Seniors & College Freshmen
    Get Started
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    Many nontraditional students are working and are trying to juggle both school and a job. For information on eligibility, the award amount, and application links, for all of the scholarships for nontraditional students keep reading!

    How to win scholarships for nontraditional students

    As a nontraditional student, your path to higher education probably looks different than the paths of younger students. You may have had to put college on hold due to family commitments, work obligations, or unforeseen circumstances. That’s okay! Your “nontraditional” journey is part of what makes you unique and sets you apart from other applicants.  

    Scholarship committees oftentimes read thousands of applications, so don’t be afraid to be different! Just remember to frame your story in a positive and productive manner, emphasizing what you’ve learned from your past, why you’re pursuing education, and what you aim to accomplish with your degree. 

    If you need help with your scholarship essay, you’re in luck! We have a variety of guides for writing strong scholarship essays and applications. That includes writing 250 word essays, 500 word essays, writing essays about yourself, or starting or finishing your essays. We also have a guide on how to write a winning scholarship essay.

    Resources for nontraditional students

    If you’re attending school later in life, you shouldn’t feel alone on your journey! There are many resources and organizations dedicated to supporting nontraditional students on their path to higher education. Here are a couple that are worth checking out: 

    Adult Student College Prep Checklist

    Created by the U.S. Department of Education, this handy checklist is meant to support students who have never been to college (or started but never finished). If you need advice on things like career direction, picking a school, and securing financial aid, this is a great place to start!

    College for Adults

    College for Adults is an excellent resource for adults who are attending college for the first time. Here you’ll find tips on career planning, college selection, the application process, financial aid, and how to prepare for college-level courses. 

    Tips for nontraditional students

    Returning to school (or going for the first time) as an adult can feel daunting, but we’re here to help! Here are some tips to help you succeed as a nontraditional student: 

    Find a program that works for you

    As a nontraditional student, you may have other responsibilities to juggle such as family obligations and work commitments. That’s why it’s important to find a program that accommodates your schedule and lifestyle. Hybrid and online programs are both great for learners managing a busy schedule. There are also schools that offer open-entry and early-exit courses, which allow students to complete lessons at their own pace.

    Tap into your support network

    One of the best things you can do as a student is to take advantage of the resources and services available at your school. These include your teachers/professors, the financial aid office, tutoring and mentoring services, counseling/health services, career services, and even child care services. Be sure to learn about how your school can support you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

    Don’t forget about local scholarships

    During your scholarship search, be sure to keep an eye out for awards offered in your local community and home state. There’s less competition for these scholarships, which means you’re more likely to win! To get started, check out our guide on how to win local scholarships!

    Also see: How to get tuition reimbursement at FedEx

    Frequently asked questions about scholarships for adult learners:

    Can nontraditional students get scholarships?

    Yes! There are a number of scholarships for nontraditional students, many of which are in this post! We also recommend that nontraditional students and adult learners complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid so that they can qualify for need-based financial aid. You can also try out our free scholarship search tool, which custom-matches you to vetted scholarship opportunities.

    See also: Top College Scholarships for Adult Learners

    Will I qualify for scholarships and financial aid if I am a part-time student?

    It depends on the scholarship and on the specific college or university. Different scholarship organizations and colleges will have different requirements about the number of credit hours that you need to qualify for scholarships. You should also know that some scholarships and financial aid programs also have an academic requirement that says you must maintain a specific GPA to remain eligible.

    Related: Guide to financial aid for part-time students

    If I am a nontraditional student, will I need to submit SAT or ACT scores?

    Some colleges will require all students to submit the SAT or ACT. However, there are a growing number of colleges that are test-optional and do not require any sort of testing for students. Some graduate programs, such as MBA programs, may also waive testing requirements for students with a certain amount of relevant work experience.

    Also see: Advice for low test takers

     

    Top Easy Scholarships of July 2024

    Scholarship
    Amount
    Deadline
    Apply Link
    Scholarship:
    $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
    Amount:

    $10,000

    Deadline:

    June 30, 2025

    Jun 30, 2025

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    Easy scholarship open to all US-based high school, college, community college and graduate students.

    Scholarship:
    $2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship
    Amount:

    $2,000

    Deadline:

    July 31, 2024

    Jul 31, 2024

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    Easy $2,000 monthly scholarship. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school!

    Scholarship:
    Niche $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
    Amount:

    $10,000

    Deadline:

    July 31, 2024

    Jul 31, 2024

    Apply
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    Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

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