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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!

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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!

Top 18 Scholarships for Nontraditional Students in June 2023

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$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…

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1 award worth $10,000
Deadline Jun 30, 2023
$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay

Easy scholarship from Nitro College open to all high school, college, community and graduate students.

Multiple awards worth $2,000
Deadline Jun 30, 2023
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.

1 award worth $15,000
Deadline Jun 29, 2023
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…

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Multiple awards worth $1,000
Deadline Jun 30, 2023
Education 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…

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5 awards worth up to $5,000
Deadline Aug 1, 2023
Get 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.…

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Multiple awards worth $1,000
Deadline Biannual
Segal 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!…

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Multiple awards worth Varies
Deadline Varies
Helping 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…

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Multiple awards worth Varies
Deadline Rolling
Helping 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…

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Multiple awards worth Varies
Deadline Rolling
Entertainment 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…

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Multiple awards worth up to $1,000
Deadline Rolling
P.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…

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Multiple awards worth up to $3,000
Deadline 30 days after receiving a chapter recommendation
Thiel 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…

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Multiple awards worth $100,000
Deadline Rolling
Amery 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…

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2 awards worth $1,000
Expected deadline May 31, 2024
Rotary 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…

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Multiple awards worth Full travel costs
Expected deadline May 15, 2024
Nondas 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…

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Multiple awards worth $500 - $1,000
Expected deadline May 2, 2024
Catholic 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…

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Multiple awards worth up to $500
Expected deadline Apr 30, 2024
Alpha 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…

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21 awards worth $2,500 - $3,000
Expected deadline Apr 28, 2024
Olive 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…

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1 award worth $2,000
Expected deadline Feb 15, 2024

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!

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 June 2023

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

$10,000

Deadline:

06/30/2023

Apply
Scholarship Details +

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

Scholarship:
$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay
Amount:

$2,000

Deadline:

06/30/2023

Apply
Scholarship Details +

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

Scholarship:
Niche $15,000 No Essay Scholarship
Amount:

$15,000

Deadline:

06/29/2023

Apply
Scholarship Details +

Easy scholarship open to all students

Scholarship:
$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
Amount:

$25,000

Deadline:

07/01/2023

Apply
Scholarship Details +

Open to all students

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