Adult Learners and Returning Students

Adult learners and returning students have more opportunities for scholarships and grants than you might think. As more adults return to college or attend for the first time, additional scholarships and grants become available. Why not take advantage of paid opportunities for adults to enjoy the benefits of higher education?

Professional Women

Are you a working woman who is a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation? If so and you are at least 25 years of age, you can compete for career advancement scholarships to help fund your education. For more information about the organization and educational opportunities, visit https://www.nfbpwc.org.

Returning Students Scholarships for Women

The AAUW Elmhurst Regional Branch will begin accepting applications for the 2023-24 Return to Learning Scholarship in this spring.
Applicants must be women 25 years of age or older who need financial assistance to continue their education at the undergraduate or graduate level, and must be residents of Elmhurst, Addison, Bensenville, Berkeley, Northlake, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, or Villa Park.

For more information, visit elmhurstarea-il.aauw.net.

University of Wisconsin

Are you an adult student looking to attend college in Wisconsin? If you are between the ages of 25-50 and working toward your first undergraduate degree, you might qualify for a scholarship up to $5,000. For additional details, visit acsss.wisc.edu/returning-adults.

Northwest College-Trapper Adult Learner

Northwest College offers the Trapper Adult Learner Scholarship to students 24 years of age or older enrolled full-time or part-time.
Merit-based scholarships awarded to adult students enrolling in or re-enrolling in NWC after not enrolling in college for at least five years.

Kent State University

Kent State University is one of the best colleges for veterans and adults.
To find out about scholarships, first fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Financial assistance is available to all adults returning to public or private higher education institutions, regardless of how long they have been in school.
Visit HERE to see the list of scholarships.

Military

Did you serve in the military or are you related to a former serviceman? As a member of the American Legion, you might qualify for special scholarships. Former servicemen, military reservists and veterans of wars such as Desert Storm, Vietnam, Panama or Grenada are often eligible for American Legion scholarships. Descendants of an American Legion member may also qualify for scholarships. To get additional details, visit your local American Legion post or their website at legion-aux.org.

Methodist University

Do you want to attend a Methodist University? There might be a scholarship just for you. From young students to adult learners, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry grants scholarships to students attending a Methodist University. For additional details about these scholarships, visit gbhem.org.

Non-Traditional Students

Executive Women International offers the ASIST program for Adult Students in Scholastic Transition. This non-discriminatory educational scholarship program benefits non-traditional students such as those past high school age, returning students and first time adult students. Funds can be used for tuition, books, mandatory school fees and child care. Applicants must show financial need, social, physical and/or economic challenge with clear career goals, specific educational objectives, be 18 or older, use re-entry programs available and reside within the boundaries of the EWI Chapter where the application was submitted. To find out more, visit ewiconnect.com/page/scholarships.

Single Parents

Are you a single parent in Arkansas looking to further your education? The Arkansas Single Parent Fund established a scholarship to recognize the impoverishment of single-parent families in the state. Scholarships totaling $22,000 will be awarded to qualified single parents to pay for educational expenses. To find out how to move from poverty to prosperity with scholarships for higher education, visit aspsf.org.

Walmart Associates

Do you work for Walmart? You might qualify for the Walmart Associate Scholarship, formerly referred to as the Higher Reach Scholarship. In 2010-2011, the Walmart Foundation awarded over $9 million in academic scholarships. The application period for the Walmart Associate Scholarship opens August 6, 2010 for Walmart and Sam’s Club associates based in the United States. Scholarships are awarded based on community involvement and financial need. Find out more about these scholarships opportunities at foundation.walmart.com.

Rotary Members

Are you involved in volunteering or community service? If you belong to the local Rotary International, you might be eligible for a scholarships. Volunteers qualify for scholarships regardless of their student status or age based on the rules of each local branch. To find out more about opportunities in your area, visit www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/scholarships.

Financial Need

Are you a motivated student with financial need? From young students to adult graduate students, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers a variety of scholarships and grants to stellar students demonstrating financial need. The application deadlines are late January. For additional details about these scholarships for adult learners and returning students, visit jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program.

Kentucky Students

Do you want to attend the University of Louisville in Kentucky? If you are over 25 years old and want to attend school in Kentucky, you might qualify for the Beth K. Fields Scholarship. This generous programs awards full tuition and is awarded once a year. To get additional details, visit louisville.edu.

Displaced Homemakers

Are you a homemaker looking to return to school? The Association on American Indian Affairs awarded Displaced Homemaker Scholarships to men and women who might not be able to complete their educational goals otherwise because of family responsibilities. The awards are $1,000 each and funds can be used for basic living expenses, child care, transportation and education costs. Applicants for this returning students scholarship must attend school full-time. For additional info, visit indian-affairs.org.

Royal Neighbors Members

Did you know you might qualify for scholarship money from Royal Neighbors of America? Their non-traditional scholarship program gives education support to members who do not fall into the usual college age range. You might receive one of fifteen scholarship awards for applicants age 23 and older. Part-time students are eligible for a $500 scholarship and full-time students are eligible to apply for a $1,000 award. To get more information, visit royalneighbors.org/membership/scholarships.

Homemakers Pursuing an Accounting Degree

Are you a homemaker with few marketable job skills looking to pursue a degree in accounting? You may qualify for the EFWA (Accounting) Women in Transition (WIT) Scholarship if you are an incoming or current freshman, or returning to school with freshman status. Recipients get up to $16,000 over four years to pursue their degree in accounting. Visit efwa.org/scholarships.php to get additional information about this scholarship opportunity.

ALow Income Women Over 35

Are you a low-income female over the age of 35 with a vision of you higher education with benefit you, your family and your community? If so, check out the Jeanette Rankin Foundation grants for $2,000 awarded every fall. The funds may be used for books, child care, transportation, supplies, tuition expenses and living expenses. Get additional details at rankinfoundation.org.

Women With Interrupted Education

Are you a woman whose education was interrupted to take care of family or attend to other changing demands in your life? The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education grants might be perfect for you. They offer grants up to $1,500 to help cover educational expenses, transportation, childcare and tuition. To find out more about scholarships to resume higher education, check out peointernational.org/projects/policies-pce.php.

Women Re-Entering the Workforce

Are you a female entering or re-entering the workforce looking to get essential skills and education to improve your employment status? Check out the Soroptimist’s Women’s Opportunity Awards for women attending or accepted into an undergraduate degree program or vocation/skills training. Awards up to $10,000 may be used for all kinds of educational expenses including child care, books, tuition, transportation and housing. Learn more about this scholarship at soroptimist.org.

More organization and institutes of higher learning are recognizing the increasing number of non-traditional students. Adult learners and returning students have a wide variety of scholarship opportunities to help make their educational dreams a reality.