Top 40 Scholarships for Nontraditional Students in September 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Vickie Drum Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of a remarkable woman who overcame the challenges of being a mother while pursuing her college education, and who serves as an inspiration to many. Her story resonates with countless young mothers who aspire to improve their lives through higher education. However, the financial burden of attending college can be overwhelming for these individuals. In honor of Vickie Drum's legacy, this scholarship aims to support female students in North Carolina who are raising a child while pursuing an undergraduate degree. Eligible applicants must meet this criterion and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. To apply, share your unique journey through higher education as a parent and how it has shaped your path. This scholarship is an opportunity to not only honor Vickie Drum's memory but also empower mothers to achieve their educational goals and create a brighter future for themselves and their families.Show Less