by The USA Scholarship Guide Team | Feb 19, 2025 | Resources & Tips, Scholarships

Going back to school as a non-traditional student can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to paying for tuition. Many scholarships are designed for recent high school graduates, but plenty of funding opportunities exist for adults returning to school after raising a family, changing careers, or serving in the military. Learn where to find scholarships specifically for non-traditional students and how to maximize your chances of receiving financial aid.

What Is a Non-Traditional Student?

A non-traditional student is anyone pursuing higher education outside the typical path of going to college right after high school. This includes:

Adults returning to school after several years in the workforce
Parents or caregivers balancing education with family responsibilities
Career changers seeking new skills or degrees
Military veterans transitioning to civilian careers
Part-time students who can’t attend school full-time due to work or family obligations

Many organizations recognize the unique challenges non-traditional students face and offer scholarships to support their education.

National Scholarships for Non-Traditional Students

Several major organizations provide scholarships specifically for adult learners. These programs offer financial support to help cover tuition, books, and other expenses.

1. Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

For low-income women age 35 and older
Must be pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree
Awards range from $2,000 to $5,000

2. Return2College Scholarship

Open to students age 25 or older
No GPA or financial need requirements
Requires a short essay of 3 sentences on why you’re returning to school
Award: $1,000

3. Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Scholarship

For adult students returning to school due to career changes or life transitions
Offered by Executive Women International (EWI)
Amount varies by local EWI chapters

4. Imagine America Foundation Adult Skills Education Program

Available to students age 19 and older pursuing vocational or trade school programs
Award: $1,000

5. Alpha Sigma Lambda Scholarships

For part-time and full-time adult students
Must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program
Award: Up to $3,000

Scholarships for Parents Returning to School

Balancing school and family life is challenging, but scholarships can ease the financial burden. These programs specifically help parents who are furthering their education.

6. Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship

For low-income women with children
Must be enrolled in a vocational, associate’s, or bachelor’s program
Awards up to $5,000

7. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award

Open to women who are the primary financial support for their families
Must be enrolled in an undergraduate or vocational program
Awards between $1,000 and $16,000

8. Custody X Change Single Parent Scholarship

For single parents enrolled in college
Requires a short essay about how education will improve your life as a parent
Award: $1,000

Scholarships for Career Changers

If you’re heading back to school to switch careers, certain scholarships can help fund your education in high-demand fields.

9. Unigo $10K Scholarship

Open to students of all ages pursuing higher education
Requires a short essay on how education will shape your future
Award: $10,000

10. Ford ReStart Program

Available to adults age 25 or older who have been out of school for at least five years
Must be pursuing a vocational, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree
Award: Varies by financial need

11. The Educators for Tomorrow Scholarship

For adults returning to school to become teachers or education professionals
Open to undergraduates and graduate students
Award: $500 – $2,500

Scholarships for Veterans and Military Spouses

Many scholarships are available for military members transitioning to civilian careers and for their spouses who are pursuing higher education.

12. Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship

For military veterans and spouses
Must be pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or professional degree
Award: Varies based on need

13. AMVETS National Scholarship Program

For veterans, active-duty service members, and their spouses
Must be enrolled in a vocational, associate’s, or bachelor’s program
Awards between $1,000 and $12,000

14. MyCAA Scholarship (Military Spouse Career Advancement Account)

For spouses of active-duty military members
Covers tuition for certificate, licensing, and associate’s degree programs
Award: Up to $4,000

Where Else to Look for Non-Traditional Student Scholarships

Local Community Foundations

Many cities and states offer adult learner scholarships through local foundations. Search for “[your state] adult student scholarships” or check with local universities for funding opportunities.

Employer Tuition Assistance Programs

Some companies provide tuition reimbursement or scholarships for employees returning to school. Check with your HR department to see if your employer offers educational benefits.

College Financial Aid Offices

Many universities have scholarships specifically for non-traditional students. When applying to schools, ask about:

Adult learner scholarships
Work-study programs
Grants for career changers

Tips for Winning Scholarships as a Non-Traditional Student

Highlight your unique experiences. Scholarship committees value life experience and perseverance, so emphasize how returning to school will impact your future.
Apply for multiple scholarships. Many non-traditional students underestimate the number of opportunities available to them. The more you apply for, the better your chances.
Meet deadlines and follow directions. Missing a deadline or failing to submit required documents could disqualify your application.
Write a strong personal statement. Clearly explain why you’re returning to school, what you hope to accomplish, and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.

Final Thoughts

Going back to school as a non-traditional student is a big step, but financial aid is available to help make it more affordable. Whether you’re a parent, career changer, veteran, or part-time student, there are scholarships designed to support your education. Explore the options listed here, apply to as many as possible, and take the next step toward your academic and career goals.

Related Content

Financial Aid Tips for Adults Going Back to School

Why Financial Aid Looks Different for Adult Learners If you're an adult thinking about returning to school, you’re not alone—and you're definitely not out of options. Financial aid isn’t just for recent high school grads. There are grants, loans, scholarships, and...

Degrees With the Best ROI: What Actually Pays Off?

Choosing a college major is one of the most consequential financial decisions a student will make, yet most people pick their field based on interest or gut instinct without ever seriously running the numbers on what that choice will actually return. Understanding...

The Best Essay-Based Scholarships with Minimal Requirements

When it comes to landing college scholarships, many students assume that top GPAs and perfect SAT scores are the only tickets to free money. But in reality, there’s a whole category of scholarships where your grades matter far less than your ability to write a...

Scholarships for Veterans and Military Families: How to Apply

For veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, pursuing higher education is not just a career goal—it’s a well-earned opportunity. But navigating how to pay for college can be confusing, especially when trying to combine GI Bill benefits, federal aid,...

How to Choose the Right College for Your Needs

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, and it’s not just about academics. Explore factors like cost, location, programs, and campus culture to find the best fit for your goals. Start with Self-Reflection Before diving into college...

How Much Student Debt Is Too Much? Setting a Smart Borrowing Limit

Financial aid offers arrive with numbers that feel abstract in the moment, a loan amount that's easy to accept without fully connecting it to what your actual monthly payment will look like years later on a starting salary you haven't earned yet. Setting a genuine...

Workforce Pell Grants: Federal Aid for Short-Term Job Training Programs

For decades, Pell Grants could only help pay for degree programs and longer certificate programs, which left many students pursuing fast job training without access to the federal government's most important grant. That changed on July 1, 2026, when Workforce Pell...

Scholarships That Don’t Require Essays: Where to Find Them

Not every scholarship requires hours of writing. While essays are common, there’s a growing number of opportunities that skip them entirely. These scholarships can be a smart way to increase your chances of winning without adding more stress to your workload. Why...

New Parent PLUS Loan Limits: How Families Can Fill the Gap

Parent PLUS loans once allowed families to borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus other aid, which made them a common way to close the gap between a financial aid package and a college bill. Beginning July 1, 2026, new limits cap how much parents can borrow,...

How to Track Scholarship Deadlines Without Missing Opportunities

Losing out on a scholarship because you simply forgot the deadline existed is one of the more avoidable and frustrating ways to leave money on the table. Unlike a scholarship you didn't win because of genuine competition, a missed deadline is purely a logistics...

New Mexico Tech Freshmen Presidential Scholarship

New Mexico Tech gives academic scholarships, or merit-based aid, solely on the basis of academic achievement.Scholarship Sponsor New Mexico TechAward Type $16,000 CashGender Eligibility AllOther Requirements/Criteria Geographic Criteria: USA Criteria / Requirements:...

Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant

Created by the Mississippi Legislature, this program is designed to provide financial assistance to Mississippi residents attending state approved public and private not-for-profit two-year and four-year eligible colleges and universities. The primary objective of...

Oprah Winfrey Diamond in the Rough Scholarship

The Oprah Winfrey Diamond in the Rough Scholarship is intended for students who are both academically talented and demonstrate financial need. Diamonds may not have qualified for academic scholarships as entering freshmen, but have demonstrated academic ability and...

AQHA Margaret A. Haines Telephony Scholarship

Ideal candidates have been a member of AQHA for at least one year who is attending an AVMA-accredited college of veterinary medicine; whose studies focus on equine medicine and or surgery, and has a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average. Scholarship Sponsor...

TACTYC Scholarships

Teachers of Accounting at Two Year Colleges (TACTYC) is pleased to announce several scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each for students majoring in Accounting. Two types of awards are offered - for two year college students transferring to a four-year college, and...

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences sponsors programs, seminars, and scholarships for high school and colleges in cities served by the 19 local chapters and awards scholarships to outstanding high school seniors who intend to pursue a bachelor's...

VFW Voice of Democracy Competition

The Voice of Democracy audio-essay provides high school students with the opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Scholarship Sponsor VFWAward Type $30,000 CashGender Eligibility AllOther Requirements/Criteria...

Bemidji State Music Scholarships

Each year, the music faculty selects individuals with outstanding musical talent to receive scholarship awards of varying amounts, from $500 to Full Tuition Scholarships. Scholarship Sponsor Bemidji State University Award Type $500 Full TuitionGender Eligibility...

Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship

The Scarlett Family Foundation offers scholarships to Tennessee students pursuing a business or STEM-related degree. Applicants must have graduated high school (or GED) Scholarship Sponsor Scarlett Family FoundationAward Type $15,000 CashGender Eligibility AllOther...

John C. And Blanche Lee Lindsay Memorial Scholarship

This program was made possible by a bequest from Mrs. Elizabeth L. Lindsay, widow of Lieutenant Colonel John Lindsay, a career Air Force officer stationed at Craig AFB in Selma, Alabama. The scholarship is in memory of their children John C. and Blanche Lee Lindsay...

Elbin Scholars

The Elbin Scholars scholarship is for students accepted for admission with at least a 3.75 high school grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), and at least an ACT composite score of 27. Scholarship Sponsor West Liberty UniversityAward Type $12,000 CashGender Eligibility...

Aerosmith Scholarship

The Aerosmith Scholarship is open to music business/management majors at Berklee College of Music, who have a GPA of at least 3.7. Scholarship Sponsor Berklee CollegeAward Type Varies CashGender Eligibility AllOther Requirements/Criteria Geographic Criteria: USA...

The Graydon & Myrth Fox Scholarship

The Graydon and Myrth Fox Scholarship was established to assist individuals who are seeking to further their job skills or improve their circumstances through education by providing scholarships for Veterans who have served honorably in the United States Armed Forces...

American Warrior Association Tier One Scholarship

The American Warrior Association (AWA) grants scholarships up to $15,000 per year (based on financial need) to offset tuition costs per year to foundation approved universities or to any top 20 university MBA, law or medical program in the nation for any transitioning...

ExxonMobil/LNESC Scholarship

The ExxonMobil/LNESC Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding Hispanic high school seniors who plan to pursue a degree in engineering at U.S. post-secondary institutions. Scholarship Sponsor LNESCAward Type $20,000 CashGender Eligibility AllOther...

Scholarships for Non-Traditional Students: Where to Look