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!

Jump ahead to:

• Scholarships for Nontraditional Students
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Summary of Top Scholarships for Nontraditional Students
• Upcoming Scholarships

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!

Scholarships for Nontraditional Students

Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

• Eligibility: All high school students, college students, graduate students, and adult learners
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: July 31, 2021

Little Bundle Mother’s Day Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to all mothers
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: August 9, 2021

Get Educated Online College Scholarship

• Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited online degree program in the USA who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Amount: $1,000 
• Deadline: October 15th or March 15th of each year

American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students

• Eligibility: Applicants must be two-year, dues paying members of the American Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion. Applicants may be pursuing training in a certified, trade, professional, or technical program, or a two-year or four-year degree program
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: March 1 of each year

Ford Opportunity Program

• Eligibility: Single parents from Oregon and Siskiyou County, California who are/planning to earn a college degree
• Amount: Award covers 90% of unmet college costs (50 are awarded!)
• Deadline: March 1 of each year (must fill out the FAFSA to apply, which opens on October 1–the earlier you fill out the FAFSA, the better!)

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.

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.

See also: Top College Scholarships for Adult Learners

If I am an 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.

Summary of Top Scholarships for Nontraditional Students

1. Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
2. Little Bundle Mother’s Day Scholarship
3. Get Educated Online College Scholarship
4. American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students
5. Ford Opportunity Program

Scholarships that are closed, but will open soon

$2,000 Amplify Continuous Learning Grant

• Eligibility: This scholarship is open to students and non-students in any field of study who share about something they are working on and how winning the grant will assist in reaching their goals(s)
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: February 1, 2021

$1,000 “Mom to Scholar” Scholarship for Mothers 

• Eligibility: Mothers over the age of 35 either accepted to or a attending technical, community, or four-year college/university
• Amount: $1,000 
• Deadline: June 1, 2021

$500 Cosmetology No-Essay Scholarship — Adult Learner Award

• Eligibility: Residents of Arizona, Utah, or Colorado interested in pursuing a career in cosmetology, hair styling, hair design, or a related field
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: June 30, 2021

Google SVA Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to  to student veterans who are planning to or already pursuing a higher education degree for computer science in the United States
• Amount: $10,000
• Deadline: December 4, 2020

Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship

• Eligibility: Low-income women age 35 or older planning to/pursuing a technical or vocational education, an associate’s degree, or a first bachelor’s degree
• Amount: Varies 
• Deadline: February 26, 2021 (opens in November 2021)

Little Bundle Superdad Scholarship — College Award

• Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate level students who are either single fathers or are the children of single fathers are eligible to apply
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: June 30, 2021

Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship — College Award

• Eligibility: Open to undergraduate or graduate level single moms, children of single moms, or people whose lives have been impacted in positive ways by single moms 
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: June 30, 2021

WiseGeek Life Isn’t Easy Scholarship 

• Eligibility: Open to college students at every level who have faced difficult circumstances head-on and come out stronger for it. 
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: October 31, 2020

WiseGeek Lifelong Learners No-Essay Grant

• Eligibility: Open to students at every level who have student loan debt
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: April 30, 2021

WiseGeek No-Essay Military Appreciation Grant

• Eligibility: Active, former, or future service member of the US military who are U.S. Citizens or permanent legal residents
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: May 31, 2021