I was recently asked by a family if it was too late for their high school senior to pursue scholarships. As George Eliot once said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” I love sharing with families that it’s never too late to start a scholarship pursuit—even if you’re an adult going back to school. There are scholarships open to students at every age, grade, and certification or degree level. Despite this information being available to scholarship seekers, many people assume scholarships are only for high school– and college-aged students. One specific category of scholarships that’s often overlooked is scholarships for nontraditional or adult students.
A little bit about private scholarships
Private scholarships from companies, organizations, individuals, and foundations recognize that creating a scholarship can drive brand or mission awareness. A scholarship is also often an opportunity for a company to connect with future followers and consumers. Local radio, newspaper, and television outlets love to mention scholarships offered from businesses or mention the recipient when the award is advertised. With all these benefits to scholarship creation, awards for all types of students will continue to rise, including those for adult students. Seeking out these channels for scholarship opportunities is key to finding the money you may need to return to college.
Related: 3 Questions to Ask as You Look for Scholarships
Great scholarship opportunities for adult students
The following are some examples of scholarships for nontraditional and adult students that you should take advantage of if you’re planning on heading back to school soon.
Boomer Benefits Scholarship
The Boomer Benefits Scholarship is designed for students ages 50 and up who are returning to school to finish their degrees. Students who demonstrate a passion for service to others—particularly service to older Americans—are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants must write a letter describing their current career goals and how higher education will help them achieve those goals as well as their community service history and what it has meant to them. Two $2,500 scholarships are awarded annually, and the deadline is August 27.
Margaret McNamara Education Grants
Margaret McNamara Education Grants are awarded to women who intend to work in or with a developing country to improve the lives of women and children. Applicants must be at least 25 years old. With awards of up to $15,000, recipients can pursue travel to Latin America, South Africa, and Canada. Deadlines for applications fall in September or January, depending on your travel plans.
E-waste Scholarship
The E-waste Scholarship is open to high school students in grades 9–12, undergraduates, graduate students, and adult/nontraditional learners. There is no age limit, but applicants must be US citizens or legal residents and are required to write about e-waste and digital responsibility. The award is $1,000, and the application deadline is April 30.
How to find scholarships for adult students
Key search words and phrases you should be using to find scholarships for adult students include:
- “of any age”
- “no age limit”
- “including adult students”
Lastly, adults seeking scholarships shouldn’t limit themselves to opportunities that specify open age criteria in their description. Many scholarships—especially at the undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate level—won’t ask for any information about the applicant’s age.
Related: How to Expand Your Reach and Find Scholarships in Hidden Places
Ultimately, adults who are striving to earn first or additional degrees or certifications have many more scholarship opportunities available to them than they realize. It’s never too early or too late to start a scholarship pursuit. Continue searching for scholarships as often as you can to make your post-graduate debt as low as possible.
Find other great scholarship opportunities based on your personal interests, area of study, and more using our Scholarship Search tool.
