Have you ever thought that scholarships were exclusively reserved for recent high school graduates pursuing higher education? Don't worry. You're not alone! It's a common misconception that tends to overshadow a fundamental truth: scholarships are not confined to the youths alone. They also extend their benevolent reach to encompass adult learners, individuals who are bravely navigating the terrain of higher education at various stages of their lives.
In our rapidly evolving world, the pursuit of knowledge is not restricted by age; rather, it's a timeless endeavor that transcends generational boundaries. As the demands of the modern workforce continue to evolve, so does the need for individuals to enhance their skills, expand their horizons, and embark on new educational adventures.
This blog post seeks to shatter the illusion that scholarships are exclusively reserved for the young, and instead, it will shed light on a remarkable truth: scholarships tailored for adult learners are more accessible and diverse than ever before. Whether you're considering a career change, aiming to upskill in your current profession, or simply embarking on an educational journey you've postponed for years, there is a scholarship opportunity waiting to support your aspirations.
Throughout this comprehensive exploration, we will introduce you to a curated list of scholarships that cater specifically to the needs and ambitions of adult learners. These scholarships span a myriad of fields, from traditional academic pursuits to specialized vocational training, ensuring that no matter where your passions and goals lie, there's an opportunity to help you overcome financial barriers and propel your educational journey forward.
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THE OSHER REENTRY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Bernard Osher Foundation provides scholarships for returning students whose college education has been interrupted for a minimum of five years. Applicants must be between the ages of 25 – 50, and must be attending a cooperating college or university. Award amounts vary, and are determined by financial need.
Open: February 2024
Deadline: August 31, 2023
Award: $1,000 - 5,000
Eligibility:
Osher Reentry Scholarships are awarded to students who
- have experienced a cumulative gap in their education of five or more years;
- are at the undergraduate level and pursuing their first baccalaureate degree;
- anticipate workforce participation for a significant period of time subsequent to graduation;
- demonstrate financial need;
- show academic promise and a commitment to degree completion.
Qualified students may include part- and full-time students, with preference given to newly matriculating students.
ICA SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP
Each month, ICA awards one applicant a scholarship for FREE in-person or online home inspection training, a value of up to $2,500! ICA’s home inspection training scholarships have no strings attached. Scholarship recipients are provided with home inspection training that meets the needs of their state’s requirements for licensing, with guidance from our student support team to find class options to fit their schedule.
The scholarship winner can be reimbursed if they have already enrolled, so if you are excited about getting started with your training, don’t hesitate to sign up for the course of your choice!
Deadline: Monthly
Award: $2,500
Eligibility:
- Be interested in a career as a professional home inspector
College JumpStart Scholarship is an annual, merit-based competition — financial need is not considered—that is open to adult learners and provides scholarships to students “committed to using education to better [their] life and that of [their] family and/or community.”
Deadline: October 17
Award: $1,000
Eligibility:
- open to 10th-12th graders, college students and non-traditional students.
- committed to going to school
- can express your goals for getting a higher education
- be at any college or university in the United States.
STUDY.COM STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Study.com Student Scholarships is awarding over 12 academic scholarships to adult learners who are current or prospective students. It is our mission to make education accessible. These academic awards are geared toward people with ranging backgrounds, identities, and academic goals.
Deadline: November 1st.
Award: $1000
Eligibility:
Recipients must be:
- aged 18 yrs or older at the time of entry
- enrolled in or accepted for an undergraduate degree, diploma or certificate at the University of Phoenix void where prohibited by law
WOMEN INDEPENDENCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Women Independence Scholarship Program is awarding scholarships to women who identify as a female survivor of intimate partner abuse.
Deadline: November 1, 2023
Amount: $500 - $2,000
Eligibility:
To be eligible, all applicants must
- Identify as a female survivor of intimate partner abuse
- Be physically separated from her abuser a minimum of one year but not more than ten.
- Have sought services from a non-profit agency that provides services to survivors of intimate partner abuse for a minimum of 6 consecutive months.
This agency is willing to act as sponsor by mentoring and providing support to the student throughout her educational experience and can accept funds on behalf of the applicant, should a scholarship for living expenses be awarded.
GEN AND KELLY TANABE SCHOLARSHIP
For many students the biggest obstacle to a higher education is money. The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship Program aims to help remove this obstacle by providing deserving students of all ages with scholarships that can be used to pay for college or graduate school. GK Scholarship is a merit-based program that helps students fulfill their dreams of higher education. It is open to students of all ages.
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility:
- 9th-12th grade high school, college, or graduate student including adult students.
- Legal resident of the U.S.
- Currently in school or planning to attend college or graduate school.
LITTLE BUNDLES SUPERDAD SCHOLARSHIP COLLEGE AWARD
At Little Bundle, we know there are countless fathers doing an amazing job of shouldering all of the parenting responsibilities on their own. However, we also understand that the demands of single parenthood can make it very tough to focus on your own goals and aspirations.
That’s why we want to support single dads, the children of single dads, and those whose lives have been positively impacted by single dads. Our mission with the Little Bundle Superdad Scholarship is to recognize the single fathers who are doing their absolute best for their children, despite not always having the time or resources that they would like. Focusing on education is a fantastic way for single dads to give their children the best possible start in life.
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Amount: $2,000
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduating high school senior in your final semester who has been accepted to university or must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a 4-year, 2-year, vocational, or technical institution in the United States.
- Must be a US citizen or permanent legal resident.
- Must be a single father, child of a single father, or closely impacted by a single father.
- All fields of study and GPAs will be considered.
JEANETTE RANKIN WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation offers two unrestricted non-tuition grants for students who identify as women or nonbinary and demonstrate financial need. Low-income women 35 and older who are working on a technical or vocational education, an associate degree, or their first bachelor’s degree are invited to apply for this scholarship fund.
Award: Varies
Open: November until February.
Eligibility:
- age 35 and older
- demonstrate financial need
- pursuing a technical or vocational education, an associate’s degree, or a first bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. institution.
IMAGINE AMERICA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP (ASEP)
ASEP (Adult Skills Education Program) builds upon the Foundation's award-winning Imagine America Scholarship Program, which has helped thousands of high school seniors each year attend career colleges. ASEP is a national aid program established in 2009 by the Imagine America Foundation that offers a one-time grant — provided through the Imagine America Foundation — to qualified adult students planning to attend a participating career college.
Deadline: Not Specified
Award: $1,000
Eligibility:
- Be enrolling in a participating college
- Meet eligibility requirements of the college
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Be at least 19 years of age and have a high school diploma, GED or pass an - Ability to Benefit test
- Not be a previous recipient of any other Imagine America Foundation scholarships/awards
- Complete the NCCT Educational Success Potential Assessment
- Demonstrate Financial Need
EXECUTIVE WOMEN INTERNATIONAL (ASSIST) SCHOLARSHIP
Executive Women International is a professional women's organization with Chapters across the United States and Canada. EWI offers the ASIST Scholarship which is available to adults facing economic, social, or physical challenges, who are looking to improve their situation through educational opportunities. Local Chapters partner with educational providers and social services agencies to identify potential candidates. Students first apply and compete at the local Chapter level.
Award: $2,000 to $10,000.
Opens: Each January
Eligibility:
- 18 years of age or older
- NOT currently enrolled in high school
- facing economic, social, or physical challenges, who are looking to improve their situation through educational opportunities.
THE ELLEN M. CHERRY-DELAWDER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is offered to non-traditional students who are single parents with dependent children. Preference is given to students pursuing a program of study in business-related field. It is available to students who attend the Howard Community College home campus in Columbia or one of the school’s satellite campuses.
Deadline: 01/29/2024
Amount: $4,000
Eligibility:
- be female students
- demonstrate financial need
- hold a GPA of 2.0 or higher
- have dependent children.
The application requires a 500-word essay on career and education goals and how the applicant believes a college education will benefit her.
eQuality is a foundation based in the San Francisco Bay area that provides scholarship awards to members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Nearly half of those are offered to non-traditional students.
Deadline: January 31, 2024.
Award: Not Specified
Eligibility:
Applicant must:
- be a resident of or attend a high school in northern or central California
- have completed or expect to complete high school (or equivalent) between 1 Jul 2019 and 30 Jun 2024; and
- plan to attend or began attending a U.S. accredited post-secondary institution (college, university, or vocational/trade school) for the first time in 2024.
- identify as a member of the LGBT+ community
THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
The Non-Traditional Student Scholarship helps people who are part of The Legion Family pursue a college degree later in life or allow them to pick up where they left off when their studies were interrupted.
American Legion Auxiliary Spirit of Youth Scholarship recipients are not eligible.
Deadline: March 1 of each calendar year
Award: $2,000
Eligibility:
Applicants must be:
- a current member of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion
- must have held membership for the two preceding years, and be a paid member for the current membership year
- a non-traditional student returning to the classroom after some period in which their formal education was interrupted, or a non-traditional student beginning their education at a later point in life.
- work history or military service, if applicable.
Boom & Bucket is offering a scholarship to students pursuing a heavy machinery-themed program. To apply, students must write a 500+ word essay or record a 2-minute video explaining who you are and what makes you excited about the heavy equipment space.
Deadline: March 31st of each calendar year.
Award: $1,000
Eligibility:
- currently enrolled students and future students who are planning to attend a program within the next 12 months
- open to students in both the United States and Canada, and it covers both college and trade school programs.
P.E.O. INTERNATIONAL PEACE SCHOLARSHIP (IPS)
The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to women from outside the United States and Canada who are seeking advanced degrees from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada with the expectation that students will return to their home countries to utilize their education to make a positive impact and foster global peace.
In order to qualify for her first scholarship.
Deadline: Not Specified
Award: $12,500
Eligibility:
An applicant must;
- have a full year of coursework remaining, be enrolled and in residence for the entire school year.
- Doctoral students who have completed coursework and are working only on dissertations are not eligible as first-time applicants.
- International students attending Cottey College are eligible to apply for a scholarship.
- A student who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada is not eligible. Note: A student with residency for tax purposes only is permitted.
Scholarships are not given for online courses, research, internships or for practical training if not combined with coursework.
THE OREGON BARBER AND HAIRDRESSERS GRANT PROGRAM
(B&H) Grant Program was created to offer one-time awards to those individuals who can demonstrate extreme financial aid while attending a barber or hairdressing program.
Deadline: February 1 of the award year
Award: Varies from year-to-year.
Eligibility;
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a resident of Oregon.
- Attend a licensed school of barbering, hair design, cosmetology, or manicure in Oregon that participates in Federal Title IV financial aid programs and participates in the B&H Grant Program.
- Enroll full-time in a program which is at least nine months long or 900 clock hours.
- Have significant need for financial help.
Want to Find More Scholarships?
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Also, check out our blog where you can find other scholarships you qualify for and find tips on how to apply to scholarships.