If you postponed earning your college degree, you may be eligible for scholarships for non-traditional students. Scholarships for returning students are for people who are pursuing college later in their adult life as well as those returning to school after being in the workforce or serving in the military. Learn more about non traditional scholarships below.
$500
Award Amount
10
Awards
May 1
Deadline
Returning female students who are 23 years of age or older and enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. women who are 35 years of age or older and are re-entering or continuing school in order to learn a marketable skill which will lead to economic self-sufficiency. Students must reside and attend school in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or Ventura counties in California.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
U.S. single parents currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$1,100
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
U.S. and Canadian undergraduate students who are returning to school after a five-year or greater absence are eligible for this award. Students must be pursuing a career in a field related to floriculture or horticulture and be interested in bedding and/or floral crops.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 3
Deadline
The Ellen Highland Fernandez Scholarship for Graduate Studies is for students obtaining a Masters or Ph.D. degree and enrolled for the 2020-21 school year. There will be one recipient. Scholarships may be renewed (you have to re-apply) for up to 3 years of graduate work, at the decision of the Scholarship Committee.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 3
Deadline
Little People of America, Inc., (LPA) Membership is offered to those people affected by dwarfism. Awards can range from $250 to $1000 (sometimes more). A scholarship committee will review application packets, as well as individual donors. Awards shall be limited to two awards for undergraduate studies.
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$1,250
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 10
Deadline
This award will be given to Rhode Island women to assist with transportation, child-care, tutoring, educational materials, and/or other support services. Preference will be given to highly motivated, self-supporting, low-income women who are completing their first undergraduate degree or certificate program.
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$2,188
Award Amount
16
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This award is available for Delaware female undergraduate students who have had a break in education of two or more years either after completing high school or during postsecondary studies. Students must be 20 years of age or older, have a grade point average of 'C' or higher (if currently enrolled in college), and be admitted to or currently enrolled in an accredited Delaware college in a two- or four-year degree program at the undergraduate level.
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$28,000
Award Amount
148
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. incoming college freshmen with an ACT score between 25 and 27 and a high school cumulative 3.25 grade point average are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend Henderson State University in Arkansas. Non-traditional students may apply if they have never attended college.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is provided annually to women in Amery, Wisconsin who are returning to higher education after a period of absence from studies. The scholarship will be awarded based on need.
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$12,000
Award Amount
90
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. incoming college freshmen with an ACT score between 23 and 24 and a high school cumulative 3.0 grade point average are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend Henderson State University in Arkansas. Non-traditional students may apply if they have never attended college.
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$38,000
Award Amount
80
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. incoming college freshmen with an ACT score between 28 and 30 and a high school cumulative 3.5 grade point average are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend Henderson State University in Arkansas. Non-traditional students may apply if they have never attended college.
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$4,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate American Indian or Alaskan Natives who have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must either be single parents or enrolled in the first year of an associate's degree program, and must be enrolled at selected tribal colleges.
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$8,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate American Indian or Alaskan Natives who are single parents are eligible for this award. Students must attend a tribal institution and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$4,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
This award is available to Arkansas resident high school students who have passed the Arkansas High School Diploma (GED) test and are planning to attend an Arkansas state-supported college or university.
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$1,000
Award Amount
6
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
U.S. Hispanic high school seniors, GED graduates, and undergraduate college students are eligible for this award. Students must attend an institution in Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Lancaster, York, Lebanon, or Adams counties in Pennsylvania; students must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher if a high school senior or 3.0 or higher if a college student.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is available for undergraduate students in the U.S. who are a manual or power wheelchair user with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
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$6,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jul 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for adult re-entry students who are at least 25 years of age and residents of Butler County, OH. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and plan to major in nursing or a related healthcare field.
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$1,167
Award Amount
5
Awards
Aug 1
Deadline
This writing contest is available to graduate students and undergraduate students over the age of 25 in North America who consider themselves to be free-thinkers/non-religious.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 31, 2025
Deadline
The Make Me Laugh Scholarship, offered by UNIGO, is open to all U.S. students who are 14 and older and who are currently enrolled (or enroll no later than fall of 2025) in an accredited postsecondary institution of higher education. One scholarship winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Sep 30, 2025
Deadline
This award is open to all U.S. students who are 14 and older and who are currently enrolled (or enroll no later than fall of 2027) in an accredited postsecondary institution of higher education. One scholarship winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Oct 31, 2025
Deadline
This creative and fun scholarship program is open to all U.S. students who are 14 and older and who are currently enrolled (or enroll no later than fall of 2026) in an accredited postsecondary institution of higher education. One scholarship winner with an imaginative and well-written response to the scholarship question about the Zombie Apocalypse will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 10
Deadline
The Diane Endres Ballweg Scholarship is available to women over the age of 30 who wish to learn how to fly or who already have a pilot certificate (private, sport, or recreational) and want to pursue an advanced certificate or rating. Applicants must be members of Women in Aviation, International.
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$60,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Nov 15
Deadline
This award is available for women who hold a bachelor's degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the work force. Special consideration is given to AAUW members, women of color, and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
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$2,500
Award Amount
2,000
Awards
Dec 6
Deadline
The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship is awarded based on the student's academics, leadership abilities, work experiences and strong commitment to their community. High school seniors with a GPA of 2.8 or higher who are residents of an area serviced by Comcast are eligible for this award.
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Scholarships for non-traditional students often help pay for tuition and fees along with other educational expenses. Unlike a loan, a non-traditional scholarship typically does not need to be paid back. So, if you abide by the terms of the award, it should not add to your college debt.
Who Offers Non Traditional Scholarships?
Providers of non-traditional student scholarships are diverse. You may find them through corporations, professional associations, faith-based organizations, and foundations as well as colleges and universities.
One example is the Founders Scholarship. These awards are for members of Association for Non Traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE), which offers awards of $500 up to full tuition, to students attending four year colleges and universities.
Who Is A Non Traditional Student
Generally, students who did not go from high school right into college are “non-traditional.” Many students start working after earning their diploma or opt to go into military service.However, some may want to pursue college later in their life. This includes students who may have gone to college in the past but did not complete their degree or did and want to earn a new degree
In general, you may qualify for a scholarship as a non-traditional student if you meet one or more of the following six criteria from the NCES:
- At least 24 years of age
- Did not immediately enroll in college after high school
- Work full time
- Only attend school part time
- Has dependents other than a spouse or partner
- Financially independent from parents
Examples of Non Traditional Students
Non traditional students come from all walks of life. They may be older or younger, starting college after a “gap year” of even over the age of 65! Many non-traditional students are the first in their family to attend college while others may have made substantial progress in completing a degree years ago and have been inspired to return to school to achieve the goal of earning a college degree.
One thing that non-traditional students have in common is they make up the majority of students going to college these days. According to the Hechinger Report, nearly 75% of college students are classified as non-traditional.
Can Non Traditional Students Get Financial Aid?
As a non-traditional student, you may be eligible to participate in federal student financial aid programs. Like any traditional student, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Doing so is a key step as it is required to receive any federal student aid including the Pell Grant which can provide eligible non-traditional students with awards of up to $7,395 in 2024-25.
Completing the FAFSA will also be important for qualifying for state financial aid grants and scholarships as well as those awarded by many colleges and universities.
Many scholarships and grants do not distinguish between traditional and non-traditional students, however, since many non-traditional students go to school on a part time basis, the amount of scholarship awards may be less for non-traditional students. There is no age limit for federal student aid programs and most state financial aid programs as well as the vast majority of scholarships awarded by private providers or colleges and universities.
Types of Financial Aid for Non-Traditional Students
Non-traditional students are generally eligible for many of the same types of financial aid traditional students receive. This includes:
- Federal Grants: Including Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG). For 2024-25, the maximum award for Pell Grants is $7,395 and $4,000 for the FSEOG program. Both these federal grants are need based.
- State Grants and Scholarships: Many states including Indiana, Vermont, Oregon, Virginia, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Tennessee, New York, and Missouri to name a few offer grants and scholarships to non-traditional students who are residents. These programs are often need-based, however, there are programs that are merit-based. Certain states do offer grants and scholarships that focus on non-traditional students and adult learners.
- Military & Veterans Benefits: If you or your spouse served in the United States Armed Forces and/or are on active duty, or in the reserves, you may be eligible for benefits that can pay up to your entire tuition, fees, and potentially provide a stipend for living expenses while you are in school. You can learn more about various benefits available to active duty service members, reservists, and veterans here.
- College Scholarships and Grants: Many schools offer scholarships and grants to help make the college more affordable. These grants can be merit or need-based. Often, colleges and universities will provide eligible students with scholarships and grants in order to encourage
- Private Scholarships: Many foundations, corporations, faith-based organizations, and community groups offer non-traditional students generous scholarships. Private scholarships can play an important role for keeping college costs affordable for non-traditional students. This is because grants and scholarships you may receive from the federal government, your state, or school may not always cover all your tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.
- Tuition Assistance From Your Employer: Many public and private sector employers offer their employees valuable benefits that can cover tuition and fees for you to attend college as a non-traditional student.
- Student Loans: Non-traditional students are often eligible for student loans to help finance the cost of their education. Unlike grants and scholarships, loans must be repaid so it is important to give careful thought before you take out a student loan. Student loans are available through the federal government as well as private student loan providers. Loans you receive from the federal government will typically have more favorable terms as it relates to repayment and the amount of interest you will pay to borrow.
Can You Get a Scholarship at the Age of 25?
There are scholarships that you may apply to if you are age 25. You may need to show financial need and have at least a GED. One example is the Tennessee Hope Scholarship. It awards up to $2,850 annually. You must also be a resident of Tennessee. Many other states offer similar scholarship and grant opportunities for their residents.
Scholarships for Adult Learners Over the Age of 50
If you are a non-traditional student over the age of 50, there are a number of scholarship opportunities to help you fulfill your dream of earning your college degree. One such opportunity is the Boomer Benefits Scholarship, which provides awards of up to $2,500 to non-traditional students over the age of 50 who are attending a 4 year or graduate degree program. Eligible recipients must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average.
Why Consider Non Traditional Student Scholarships
Grants and scholarships may help a non-traditional student re enter college and help pay for school. Grants and scholarships can make the cost of getting your degree much more affordable. Some non-traditional students can fully subsidize the cost of their college education through grants and scholarships!
Studies show lifetime earnings are higher with a college degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, individuals with a college degree experienced an unemployment rate of just 2.2%. For those individuals with just a high school diploma, the unemployment rate was nearly double this. The difference in weekly earnings was even more pronounced with individuals with a high school diploma receiving average weekly wages of $899 compared to $1,493 for an individual with a college degree.
How Many College Students are Considered Non Traditional?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 6.42 million students over the age of 25, attending colleges and universities in the U.S. as of fall 2021. That’s nearly 34% of all students attending college. Overall, 75% of all college students can be classified as non-traditional.
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
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Edited by Unigo Staff