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.
$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to female U.S. students who are re-entering education at the sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate level to study engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, be members of SWE, and attend a New Mexico university.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 2
Deadline
This scholarship is open to California students who are pursuing a teaching credential program; undergraduate students and re-entry professionals are both eligible, and undergraduate students may be enrolled in an education major. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$4,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Jun 20
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. women who are 25 years of age or older and plan to attend Santa Fe College. Students must be residents of Alachua or Bradford counties in Florida, and must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$1,600
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. women who are 25 years of age or older and reside in Alachua or Bradford counties in Florida. Students must plan to attend Santa Fe College, and must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Oct 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who live in households served by Tri-County EMC and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher; financial need will be considered. Priority will be given to non-traditional students.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
The 2021 Justice For All Scholarship will reward one individual with $1,000 who best explains a situation where they persevered through hardship and served justice in one way or another. Check or their scholarship page to apply!
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 31
Deadline
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in college, graduate school, or be a GED holder who are about to attend college; they also must show good academic standing by holding a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The recipient of this scholarship will have demonstrated their interest in serving the less privileged in our community.
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$1,250
Award Amount
7
Awards
Sep 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. residents of Illinois, who are currently attending college and are a mother or father of multiple birth children (twins, triplets, quads, or more).
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$50,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Sep 1
Deadline
The first Osher endowments supporting scholarships were established in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Maine. This scholarship is available for undergraduate level students pursuing their first baccalaureate degree in the 50 states and Washington, DC. Applicants must be returning to education after a minimum of five years absence.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Oct 10
Deadline
Applicants must be at least 16-years-old student, a resident of the United States, enrolled at a tuition based secondary college or university.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 28
Deadline
The Atlanta Divorce Law Group has worked with countless families through the most challenging times of their lives. Our attorneys have experience working through all aspects of divorce proceedings and see the strain it places on families. Despite the fact that many people view divorce as a negative situation, we believe in life Happily Ever After Divorce™. It is our mission to get rid of the stigma of divorce so people can make a real decision for their family’s future that does not come from a place of guilt and shame. We believe that when guilt and shame run the show, families stay stuck in dysfunctional relationships rather than make a movement towards becoming a healthier and happier family that may be under a different framework than marriage but nonetheless still a family.
Through our experience, our attorneys see first hand how divorce can actually leave families happier and lead to positive lives post-divorce. The Atlanta Divorce Law Group is proud to hold The Divorce Stigma Scholarship, for another year, to hear students share their experience with divorce and how it differed from the negative stigma that surrounds divorce today. Share your story with us and explain how a divorce experience of a close friend or family member had positive effects on those involved.
The winner of the scholarship will be chosen based on the criteria outlined below and will be awarded this $1,000 award to pursue their education.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Sep 30
Deadline
To be considered eligible for the Achieving Your Goals Scholarship, students must be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or law program within the United States. High school seniors who will be enrolled in college before the application deadline of September 30th, 2021 are also encouraged to apply. Candidates for this scholarship must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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$10,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
May 31
Deadline
Click to learn more and apply today!
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$1,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
May 31
Deadline
Since their founding in 2006 ANSWER has funded 136 college scholarships to 81 local moms in Charlotte, NC. ANSWER Scholarship provides scholarships to mothers of school-age children in the Charlotte area. Scholarship award amounts vary each year and are at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 28
Deadline
When you see something wrong, what do you do? Are you someone that pushes the scene to the side and ignores it? Or are you taking action and pointing out the wrongdoing? If you are an individual that stands up and calls out the injustice, then you can call yourself a whistleblower!
Every day, Tony Munter, a Whistleblower attorney at Price Benowitz Accident Injury Lawyers, LLP, assists others in fighting for what is right by helping them expose wrongdoings. Tony understands the power behind using your resources to take a stand to uncover the inequity in your community. No matter how small or large the wrongdoing, taking action against lawlessness is how individuals work together to build a society based on shared values.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 28
Deadline
The Cindy Tang Career Opportunity Scholarship is open to women in Grant or Kewaunee counties in Wisconsin seeking to resume their education or pursue additional education after an interruption of three or more years. Applicants may be continuing or finishing a previously started degree, pursuing a new or different degree, or seeking additional or continuing education or training.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jul 1
Deadline
Maeband, a company providing comfort and style to pregnant women through ingenious design, is pleased to announce the launch of the Maeband scholarship contest. Maeband, a local Utah company, produces a clever, comfy waistline extension band that allows moms to sidestep traditional maternity pants in favor of their own regular clothes — saving money in the process. Maeband makes it possible for women to keep doing things just as they have always done.
Maeband is committed to helping mom students with their educational pursuits, and is anxious to help them accomplish their goals. Maeband is proud to offer a $500 scholarship prize to studying moms.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 30
Deadline
At Kopfler & Hermann, we are pleased to continue our annual scholarship for 2023! This $1,000 award will be given to a student who has overcome adversity and emerged stronger.
With over 40 years of legal experience, Kopfler & Hermann law firm has served the Gulf Coast since 1992. As personal injury attorneys, we are committed to serving justice and ensuring injured workers and accident victims receive full compensation for their injuries and damages. Following this mission, the attorneys at Kopfler & Hermann established the Overcoming Adversity Scholarship and are offering it for the fifth year in a row.
Kopfler & Hermann, a personal injury law firm based in Houma, Louisiana, is excited to bring back to announce our annual scholarship for 2024. This $1,000 award will be given to a student who has overcome adversity and emerged stronger. With over 40 years of legal experience, Kopfler & Hermann law firm has served the Gulf Coast since 1992. As personal injury attorneys, we are committed to serving justice and ensuring injured workers and accident victims receive full compensation for their injuries and damages. Following this mission, attorneys Kopfler & Hermann established the Overcoming Adversity Scholarship and offered it for the sixth year!
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 15
Deadline
Angels On The Move is commited to improving the quality of life by helping students fund their education. This scholarship is open to all students and can be used for any kind of academic endeavor. There are no restrictions on citizenship, residency, age, level of study, school/college, GPA, scores, finances, activities, or major.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Sep 30
Deadline
Niche prides itself on helping students discover the schools and neighborhoods right for them.This scholarship is available for U.S. and international high school and college students enrolled in U.S. academic institutions. Applicants must apply online by creating a free account or logging in on the provider site.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Sep 30
Deadline
Emma Johnson is a mom blogger. As of March 26, every week, Emma will away $500 cash to one single mom, no strings attached. The 2020 Kickass Single Mom Stimulus Grant has one goal: Give a hand to single moms struggling with money, health, stress, child care, illness and loneliness. Learn more and apply today!
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$1,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 10
Deadline
The purpose of this scholarship is to assist low-income single parents who reside in Rhode Island in the pursuit of an education beyond high school. Preference will be given to parents currently or previously receiving state aid and those who have been previously incarcerated.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
This award is available for single mothers who are residents of Forsyth County, NC, and are 25 years of age or older. The student must demonstrate financial need, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and are employed and work 20 or more hours per week.
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$20,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is the state's oldest outdoor stewardship nonprofit organization. Since 1984, we have been motivating and enabling people to become active stewards of Colorado's natural resources.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 5
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors graduating from an Aurora, Colorado public school are eligible for this award. Students must be teen parents.
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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