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Top 25 Scholarships for Nontraditional Students in June 2023
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:
- How to win scholarships for nontraditional students
- Resources for nontraditional students
- Tips for nontraditional students
- Frequently asked questions
- Other scholarship categories to explore
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!
Top 18 Scholarships for Nontraditional Students in June 2023
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.
$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
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…
Show More$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay
Easy scholarship from Nitro College open to all high school, college, community and graduate students.
Niche $15,000 No Essay Scholarship
Open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.
Audre Lorde Scholarship Award
The Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund is seeking to honor exceptional Black lesbians who are making a difference in their communities. ZAMI NOBLA is committed to supporting and promoting your educational…
Show MoreEducation Support Award
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…
Show MoreGet Educated Online College Scholarship Program
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.…
Show MoreSegal AmeriCorps Education Award
Are you a member of AmeriCorps, have finished your term service, and are looking for a scholarship opportunity? If so, you might be interested in the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award!…
Show MoreHelping Hands for Single Moms – Phoenix Scholarship
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…
Show MoreHelping Hands for Single Moms – Dallas Scholarship
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…
Show MoreEntertainment Community Fund Professional Development Scholarship
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…
Show MoreP.E.O. Program for Continuing Education
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…
Show MoreThiel Fellowship
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…
Show MoreAmery Woman’s Club Scholarship for Non-Traditional Female Students
The Amery Woman's Club Scholarship for Non-Traditional Female Students is a fantastic opportunity for women who are starting or returning to higher education after a break. The scholarship is awarded…
Show MoreRotary Peace Fellowships
Are you a college graduate interested in studying abroad? If so, consider applying for Rotary Peace Fellowships! The fellowships are open to college (undergraduate and graduate school) graduates whose graduation…
Show MoreNondas Hurst Voll Scholarship Fund
The Nondas Hurst Voll Scholarship Fund is a beacon of hope for single mothers who are determined to break free from public assistance and pursue higher education or job training…
Show MoreCatholic United Financial Post-High School Tuition Scholarship
The Catholic United Financial Post-High School Tuition Scholarship is funded by Catholic United Financial, an organization that financially protects and connects members through faith and joyful service at every step…
Show MoreAlpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society Student Scholarship
The Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society Student Scholarship is available to adult students who are currently enrolled in an institution with an active Alpha Sigma Lambda chapter (student does not…
Show MoreOlive Lynn Salembier Memorial Reentry Scholarship
The Olive Lynn Salembier Memorial Reentry Scholarship is for reentry women who are planning to finish their studies. Candidates may either be students who have been out of school for…
Show MoreHow 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!
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
