What is a Scholarship for Non Traditional Students?

Scholarships for returning students are for people who are pursuing college later in their adult life. It could also be adults returning to school after being in the workforce.

How Do You Qualify for Non Traditional Scholarships?

In general, you may qualify for a scholarship as a non traditional student if you meet one or more of the following six criteria: Non traditional students are over the age of 24, Enroll in college after graduating from high school after 1 year or more, attend college part time, have family duties and limited finances, work full time,

Which Colleges Offer Scholarships for Non Traditional Students?

There are many colleges offering this scholarship. Albright College and Beloit College are some schools that offer this award.

Scholarships for Non Traditional Students

Home
scholarships
by type
nontraditional

Written by Dave Moniz

✔️ Edited by Unigo Staff

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.

List of Scholarships for Non Traditional Students

ApproveMe Entrepreneur Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Dec 31 Deadline

ApproveMe is an easy-to-use document signing tool that allows business owners and entrepreneurs to cultivate relationships with customers. Our platform transforms lifeless documents into an integrated document signing experience. It puts smiles on signers faces and completed contracts in the cloud.

View Scholarship

The Ricigliano & Filopei Scholarship for TBI Survivors

$3,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Dec 31 Deadline

If you are a current resident of New York or New Jersey, and you have experienced a traumatic brain injury, you are eligible to apply to the Ricigliano & Filopei Scholarship for TBI Survivors. The scholarship is open to current college students, as well as prospective students.

View Scholarship

Imagine America Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP)

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Dec 31 Deadline

This scholarship is available for U.S. high school graduates who are at least 21 years of age and enrolling in a participating career college.

View Scholarship

Roberta Cline Frasier Anderson Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 31 Deadline

This award is available for undergraduate women studying sociology at Washington State University. Applicants must be returning to school after a period of absence and demonstrate financial need.

View Scholarship

Curry Award for Girls and Young Women

$10,000 Award Amount

10 Awards

Feb 14 Deadline

This award is available U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate young women who are 16 to 26 years of age. Students must be a resident of San Mateo County, California.

View Scholarship

SWE Region J Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to female re-entry/non-traditional students who are majoring in engineering or computer science and are members of SWE. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and attend an institution within the SWE Region J boundaries.

View Scholarship

Wanda Munn Scholarship (SWE Eastern Washington Section)

$1,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 15 Deadline

This award is open to re-entry/non-traditional female students who plan to major in engineering and have completed two or more years of full-time credits (does not have to be in an engineering curriculum). Students must reside or attend school in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington, and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

View Scholarship

Steven L. Coffey Memorial Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 15 Deadline

This award is for high school seniors and graduates of Anderson County High School, Clinton Senior High School, or Oak Ridge High School in Tennessee. Returning adult students and non-traditional students are also eligible to apply. Students must plan to attend Roane State Technical Community College or Pellissippi State Technical Community College.

View Scholarship

John Gatling Grant Program

$25,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 15 Deadline

Students who plan to attend North Carolina State University who were born with the surname 'Gatling' or 'Gatlin' and who also display need qualify for this grant. A FASFA must be completed no later than February 15. Applicants must be high school seniors on their way to college. Click to learn more and apply today!

View Scholarship

Members-At-Large Re-Entry Award

$1,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is available for U.S. women who have returned to higher education after an absence of at least three years. Applicants must be majoring in chemistry and must demonstrate academic potential.

View Scholarship

Ellyn Lancaster Scholarship

$2,400 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is available for women in Washington, Greene, and Sullivan Counties in TN. Applicants must be returning to college as non-traditional students, and must be pursuing a degree in social work at East Tennessee State University.

View Scholarship

Stepping-Stone Scholarship

$3,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is available for graduating seniors, adult students, and GED recipients who have a permanent residence in Knox or Laurel County, KY. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and demonstrate unmet financial need.

View Scholarship

Lunday Scholarship

$4,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Feb 16 Deadline

This scholarship is available to graduate students in the Communications Department at Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota. Students must be single parents or citizens of a country other than the United States, Canada, or Mexico.

View Scholarship

Jeannette Rankin Foundation Award

$8,000 Award Amount

4 Awards

Feb 26 Deadline

This award is for U.S. women who are 35 years of age or older as of March 1, 2019. Students must be pursuing a technical/vocational education, an associate's degree, or a first bachelor's degree. The student's family must have an annual income that meets the described financial need guidelines.

View Scholarship

Altrusa International of Grand Rapids Scholarship

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

This award is available for residents of Kent, Allegan, Ionia, Ottawa, Montcalm, or Muskegon Counties in Michigan. Applicants must be returning to college as undergraduate students after at least two years of absence from education.

View Scholarship

Assistance League of the Triangle Area Scholarship - Health Care Professions & Single Parents

$7,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are residents of the Triangle Area of North Carolina (Durham, Orange, and Wake counties) and attend a North Carolina postsecondary institutions. Students must be pursuing a career in the health professions or be a single working parent.

View Scholarship

UW-Eau Claire Karlgaard Computer Science Scholarship - Re-entry Students

$15,000 Award Amount

3 Awards

Mar 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to re-entry students (i.e., those who have been out of school for two or more years) who plan to major in computer science or software engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

View Scholarship

American Legion Auxiliary Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

$2,000 Award Amount

5 Awards

Mar 1 Deadline

This scholarship is available for non-traditional students who are members of the American Legion Auxiliary. Applicants must be a non-traditional student who is returning to college after an extended absence or one who is beginning higher education for the first time at a non-traditional age. Learn more and apply today!

View Scholarship

Louisiana GO Grant

$3,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

This award is available to Louisiana resident high school students who are planning to attend an approved postsecondary institution in Louisiana. The student must demonstrate financial need greater than $0 after deducting the student's Expected Family Contribution and Federal Pell Grant Award from the Cost of Attendance.

View Scholarship

Marjorie M. and William H. Griffin Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

The Marjorie M. and William H. Griffin Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors and non-traditional students in Washington State. Applicants must plan to attend an accredited college or university in the State of Washington.

View Scholarship

Kazimour Scholarship

$500 Award Amount

2 Awards

Mar 9 Deadline

U.S. citizens who are current undergraduate student members of the Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE) are eligible for this award. Students must have completed 15 or more credit hours and have a grade point average of 3.25 or higher. Click to learn more and apply today!

View Scholarship

Reno High Sierra Chapter Ninety-Nines Advanced Rating Scholarship

$3,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 14 Deadline

U.S. female pilots seeking advanced rating are eligible for this award. Students must reside within 99 nautical miles of Reno Tahoe International Airport.

View Scholarship

Reno High Sierra Chapter Ninety-Nines Private Pilot License Scholarship

$2,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 14 Deadline

Female student pilots who have flown solo by the application deadline are eligible to apply for this award.

View Scholarship

Michael S. and Jeffrey C. Hagler Scholarship Fund

$4,600 Award Amount

2 Awards

Mar 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to non-traditional Idaho students who enroll in a degree-seeking or certification program at Boise State University or College of Western Idaho. Applicants must be single mothers who demonstrate financial need.

View Scholarship

Caldwell Memorial Hospital Employees and Friends Health Services Scholarship Fund

$4,600 Award Amount

2 Awards

Mar 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors/graduates, undergraduate students, and non-traditional students enrolling as undergraduates who are pursuing a health career field. Students must be residents of Canyon and Owyhee Counties in Idaho or Malheur County in Oregon, and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

View Scholarship

« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 »

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?

Diverse group of smiling adult students in a bright corridor.

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

Thoughtful woman studying at laptop in a cozy, plant-filled room.

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

Cheerful adult learner smiling while using a laptop in a lively café setting.

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

Smiling man with glasses working on laptop at a bright, modern desk.

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.