Show Me the Money: Scholarships for Adult Students

By tamara

If you look around college campuses these days, you may be surprised to see an increasing number of adult students (30+) attending classes. The tough economy has made the job market very competitive and many are hoping to gain an advantage by adding a new degree or learning new skills. As this older generation heads back to college, some are finding it difficult to cover tuition costs without relying on the help of student loans, grants and scholarships. While there are a plethora of awards targeted to the traditional college student (18-24), the older non-traditional students may find locating scholarships a bit more complex. If you are an adult learner, take heart, there are some scholarship programs specifically for you. Most are through companies and professional groups, but some colleges are also stepping up to help bridge the financial gap for those returning to school. To get you started on your search for non-traditional adult scholarships, here are a few programs we found that are available. Kazimour Scholarship – Available to U.S. students, ages 25 and older, who are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree and have completed 15 or more credit hours. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.24 or higher and must also become members of the Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education. Two scholarships are available at $500 each. AAUW Career Development Grant – This scholarship program is available to U.S. women who are changing careers or re-entering the workforce. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree (received before June 30, 2007). There are 47 available grants ranging from $2,000 to $12,000 each. Larry McDonald Scholarship – These scholarships are available to international and U.S. students who are at least 30 years old and reside in Oregon or Clark County, WA. Applicants must be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered (GLBT) and must be taking a course in the arts or humanities. The number of scholarships awarded varies; in the past, two awards of $500 were given. FACT ‘Second Chance’ Scholarship – This program is for U.S. students who graduated from high school prior to 2007. Applicants must join the Federation of American Consumers and Travelers (FACT) and enroll full-time at college. Students can not have attended any school full-time since 2007. One $10,000 scholarship and one $2,500 scholarship are available. Top Ten List Scholarship – This scholarship is available to any U.S. student who is 13 years of age or older, and applicants must list their favorite ten books and what they’ve learned from them. Three scholarships are available at $1,000 each. Need more free money for college? Be sure to use free scholarship search tools to help you find more money for college TODAY!