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

How to Graduate With Less Debt: Smart Choices from Day One

Student loan debt doesn’t happen overnight. It builds semester by semester, decision by decision. The good news is that reducing how much you borrow often starts long before graduation—sometimes even before your first class. From choosing the right school to managing...

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...

Essential Tips for Acing College Interviews

College interviews are your chance to make a lasting impression beyond your application. Master the art of showcasing your personality, goals, and enthusiasm with these essential tips for acing admissions and scholarship interviews. Understand the Purpose of the...

Hidden College Costs No One Talks About (And How to Plan for Them)

Every family that goes through the college financial planning process focuses intensely on the big numbers: tuition, room, and board. Those figures appear prominently on every cost of attendance estimate, they drive the financial aid calculation, and they anchor the...

How to Graduate Early and Save Thousands on Tuition

The four-year college timeline is so deeply embedded in how people think about higher education that most students never seriously consider whether it's actually necessary for their specific situation. It functions less as a deliberate plan and more as a default...

How to Access Free or Low-Cost Childcare While You Study

Balancing school and parenting can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding affordable childcare. For student parents, the high cost of daycare can make pursuing an education feel out of reach. The good news? There are free and low-cost childcare options...

How to Get Letters of Recommendation for Scholarship Applications

Why Recommendation Letters Matter A strong letter of recommendation can be the deciding factor in a competitive scholarship application. While your grades and essay tell one story, a recommendation provides a trusted outside perspective that confirms your strengths,...

How to Use a 529 Plan as an Adult Learner

Most people think of 529 plans as tools for saving for a child’s college education—but they’re far more flexible than that. In fact, many adult learners are surprised to discover they can use 529 plan funds for their own education, whether they’re going back to...

Financial Aid Resources for Students in Rural Areas: Scholarships, State Grants, and Distance Learning Support

For students in rural or small-town communities, the road to higher education can feel a bit longer—literally and figuratively. Fewer local resources, limited access to college counseling, and geographic isolation often create barriers to finding and funding a college...

The Best Free Online Resources for College Students

College can be expensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay for everything. From study tools to financial management apps, there are plenty of free online resources designed to help students succeed. Whether you need help with coursework, budgeting, or staying...

Afghan-American Scholarship Program

The Afghan-American Community Organization (AACO) Scholarship was initiated and funded by generous members of the Afghan-American community, Somaya and Masie Ishaq. AACO is looking for applicants who demonstrate commitment to their education through a variety of means...

The Woman’s Century Club Scholarship

The Woman’s Century Club has provided annual scholarship support to deserving women through local colleges and universities. The club continues that tradition by awarding a scholarship each year to an outstanding junior woman student, at a Seattle-area college or...

Marketing EDGE Scholarship Awards

Marketing EDGE awards scholarships on a competitive basis to undergraduate and graduate students who are studying marketing and are committed to pursuing a career in the field. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and demonstrated interest in...

The Loren Gruber Scholarship for Literary Studies

Missouri Valley College offers the Loren Gruber Scholarship for Literary Studies to incoming English majors. Applicants must have an ACT of 21 or an SAT of 976, and have a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must write a 500-word essay about their favorite book, blog, poem, play,...

Selby Scholarship

This scholarship program is available to residents of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte or DeSoto counties. Applicants must be either: 1) Graduating seniors from any high school in the above-mentioned 4 counties; or 2) Graduating Associate degree students from any state...

Wings Over America Scholarships

The Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation is sponsoring scholarships to further the post-secondary education of deserving students. Scholarships are to be used only for tuition and tuition-based fees charged by the college for A.A, A.S., B.A, B.S. or technical...

AAMI ABC Humane Wildlife Academic Scholarship

ABC Wildlife is introducing a scholarship designed to increase the number of women studying and influencing the future of science, including technology, engineering, and math (STEM).Scholarship Sponsor ABC Humane WildlifeAward Type $1,000 CashGender Eligibility...

Colorado Christian University Honors Scholarship

CCU awards academic scholarships to new freshmen who meet specific academic requirements and are guaranteed for up to eight semesters as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and is continuously enrolled in CCU's College of Undergraduate...

Lil Nas X Scholarship

Lil Nas X knows the student debt struggle all too well. Not long ago, he was in the same place many students find themselves today: in school and struggling to figure out how to pay for his student loans. With so many of his fans confronting the challenge of student...

Susan T. Buffett Scholarship

Warren Buffett college scholarships are awarded each year by The Susan T. Buffett Foundation for kids who are doing well in school and want to study business. He has created a few foundations which help to give out these scholarships also he would like to encourage...

Youth Foundation Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarships

Established in 1968, the Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarship is awarded to exceptionally worthy high school seniors with demonstrated financial need, for up to four years of college undergraduate studyScholarship Sponsor Youth FoundationAward Type $4,000 CashGender...

President’s Award Program

The President’s Award Program (PAP) assists the University of Illinois to enroll highly capable students who have been admitted to one of the U of I campuses and are members of historically underrepresented groups and groups that have been less likely to enroll at the...

Coupa Cares North America Scholarship

Coupa Cares goal is to provide financial assistance and mentorship to students without the necessary means who demonstrate alignment with our core values and want to further their education Scholarship Sponsor Coupa CaresAward Type $5,000 CashGender Eligibility...

Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grants

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...

Creative Biolabs Scholarship Program

As a leading custom service provider specialized in the field of antibody production and engineering, Creative Biolabs is always happy to support young and ambitious talents in our field. Scholarship Sponsor Creative Biolabs Award Type $1,000 Cash Gender Eligibility...

Scholarships for Non-Traditional Students: Where to Look