Scholarships for Non Traditional Students

Millions of Scholarships, personalized results

 and get matched to scholarships that are personalized for you.

What is a Scholarship for Non Traditional Students?

If you postponed college, you may be eligible for 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. 

Scholarships for non traditional students often help pay for college along with other college expenses. Unlike a loan, a non traditional scholarship typically does not need to be paid back. So, if you abide by the terms, 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 and colleges and other organizations.  

One example is a Founders Scholarship. These awards are for members of ANTSHE. The Association for Non Traditional Students in Higher Education offers $500 to full tuition. There are many colleges offering this scholarship. Albright College and Beloit College are some schools that offer this award. 

Who is a Non Traditional Student?

Students who did not go from high school right into college are “non traditional.” Many students start working after earning their diploma. However, some may want to pursue college later in their life.  

Apart from that, non traditional students have diverse backgrounds. 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.  

  1. Non traditional students are over the age of 24. They may have already graduated from college and may want to go back to school.
  2. Enroll in college after graduating from high school after 1 year or more. Non traditional students did not immediately continue their education after high school. Many want to return to college after a gap year to finish their degree. 
  3. Attend college part time. Many non traditional students may have to raise a family or work full time. They may enroll in a part time program.  
  4. Have family duties and limited finances. Non traditional students may have to care for dependents other than a spouse. Some are single parents who are raising a child by themselves.
  5. Independent in terms of financial aid. Traditional college students may get financial help from their parents. Non traditional students are usually financially independent.
  6. Have a GED, not a high school diploma. Many non traditional students did not complete a high school diploma. But passed the GED exam and have a high school certificate of completion.    
  7. Work full time. Many non traditional students work a full time job or typical 9 to 5 job.

Can Non Traditional Students Get Financial Aid?

As a non traditional student, you may be eligible for federal student financial aid. Like anyone younger, you should soon fill out a FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid figures out your financial needs. Since there is no age limit for a Federal Pell Grant, you may be eligible too. 

Many scholarships for non traditional students do not place age limits either. Though some providers may ask to see the results of your FAFSA. 

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 $6,750 annually. You must also be a resident of Tennessee.

Why Consider  Non Traditional Student Scholarships? 

A scholarship may help a non traditional student reenter college and help pay for school. Studies show lifetime earnings are higher with a college degree.  

One study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that people with less than a high school diploma may earn a weekly average of $520. Many workers could earn $836 per week with an associate’s degree. A bachelor’s degree has a weekly pay that averages at $1,173. 

How Many College Students are Considered Non Traditional?

Enrollment of students age 25 and over was 11 percent higher in 2016 than in 2006. The National Center for Education Statistics predicts that is on the rise by 1% through 2027. 

About 7.4 million students age 25 or older went to college in fall 2019. This is less than the number of ‘traditional’ students. About 12.5 million college students were under 25 years of age. 

About 10% of college students attending 4 year public colleges are non traditional. Of these, most students (8%) are age 25 to 34. The remaining 2% are 35 years or older.  

If you look at private for profit schools, about one third (39%) are 25 to 34. Another 28% are 35 plus. Somewhere between these two are private nonprofit colleges. While most (8%) are in the 25 to 34 range, 5% are adults age 35 and up. 

List of Non Traditional Student Scholarships

As a non traditional student, there are many scholarships to help you earn a college degree. There are awards worth below. Apply now to our list of scholarships for non traditional students.

Salix Gastrointestinal Health Scholars Program

Click to learn more and apply today!
Award Amount

Total: $10000

Awards: 10

Deadline

Deadline: May 31

ANSWER Scholarship

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.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 10

Deadline

Deadline: 

Whistleblower Education Scholarship

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.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: February 28

Cindy Tang Career Opportunity Scholarship

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.
Award Amount

Total: $5000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: 

Maeband Scholarship

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.
Award Amount

Total: $500

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: July 01

Overcoming Adversity Scholarship

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.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: November 30

Angels On The Move Scholarship

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.
Award Amount

Total: $500

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: May 15

Kickass Single Mom Grant

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!
Award Amount

Total: $500

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: 

Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship

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.
Award Amount

Total: $1500

Awards: 2

Deadline

Deadline: May 10

Professional Women of Winston-Salem (PWWS) Scholarship

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.
Award Amount

Total: $500

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: May 31