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Top Scholarships for Online Students in October 2023

By Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology. Full Bio
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Updated: September 27th, 2023

Whether you are a student who’s always on the move, a parent who is busy taking care of your children, or an adult in the workforce who wants to go back to school, online learning can be just the right fit to help you earn that degree. Below are the top scholarships for online students– we hope that these will help you get the degree you’re looking for without being burdened by debt!

Also see: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

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Here are the top scholarships for online students:

Top scholarships for online students 

Scholarships360 “Mom to Scholar” Scholarship for Mothers

  • Eligibility: Mothers over 35 years old who demonstrate financial need enrolling at a technical, community, or four-year college/university
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: January 31, 2024

Job-Applications.com Working Parent College Scholarship Award

  • Eligibility: Full or part-time students who are parents of a minor and have worked at least 12 hours each week for the 4 weeks before applying
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: Fall 2023 (exact date TBA)

Get Educated Online Scholarship

  • Eligibility: Students enrolled in any online or distance learning college
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: March 15th and October 15th of each year

Study.com Online Graduate Degree Scholarship

  • Eligibility: Students pursuing a master’s degree who are in a distance learning program
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: November 1, 2023

Study.com Online Undergraduate Degree Scholarship

  • Eligibility: Students pursuing a bachelor’s or associate’s degree who are in a distance learning program
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: November 1, 2023

Beacon Scholarship for Rural America

  • Eligibility: Low-income graduating high school seniors, current college students, or adult learners residing in a rural areas
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: November 30, 2023

Custody X Change Scholarship

  • Eligibility: Single parents enrolled full-time at a college or university who are in their first semester or hold a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: Awarded three times per year, with deadlines on April 30, August 31, and December 31

American Legion Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

  • Eligibility: Members of the American Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion for the two preceding years preceding application
  • Amount: $2,000
  • Deadline: March 1st of each year

Charles Pulling Sr. Memorial Scholarship

  • Eligibility: High school and non-traditional (e.g. first-generation, single parents, those who took a break from school before returning, or those over the age of 25) students
  • Amount: 2 awards worth $1,000
  • Deadline: July 31, 2024

If you are a student in an online undergraduate or graduate program, you may also qualify for other scholarships. We know that many online students are adult learners and working professionals who are balancing school and a career.

How to win scholarships for online students 

Many scholarships require students to submit an essay as part of their application, and for good reason! Grades and test scores are important, but scholarship committee members rely on essays to get a better sense of who you are. Submitting a unique and compelling essay will draw more attention to your application and boost your chances of winning!

Fortunately, we have many guides to help you write an essay that stands out from the crowd. Check out the following resources to get started: 

Tips for online students 

Like most things, there are pros and cons to taking classes online. While you don’t have to deal with the hassle of commuting to school, it also takes more discipline to stay focused and complete your work. If you don’t stay on top of things, you could easily find yourself falling behind. Fortunately, we have 10 great tips to help you succeed in online classes. 

Also see: Online vs. in-person school: What to consider

Frequently asked questions

Can I get scholarships for online courses?

As you can tell from the list above, there are many scholarships available for online students. But remember, online degrees are really no different than traditional brick and mortar degrees! Most scholarships are format agnostic and won’t care whether you pursue your degree virtually or in person. That means you shouldn’t limit yourself to scholarships meant specifically for online students. Check out our scholarship directory to explore a wider range of scholarships!

Can I use FAFSA to pay for online school?

Yes! As long as your program is accredited and eligible to participate in Title IV federal student aid programs, you can use money from FAFSA to pay for online school. To find out if your program is accredited, check their record on the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP). You should also confirm that your school is listed on the Department of Education’s Title IV participating schools list. Search for your school’s name or federal school code on the downloadable spreadsheet.

What is the easiest scholarship to get?

Although a lot of scholarship applications are quite extensive, some are relatively straightforward. Check out our list of the top easy scholarships to see for yourself! 

Related: Top 10 online colleges that accept the FAFSA

 

Related scholarships to explore

Here are some other top scholarship guides that you can check out: