It is evident from data that the majority of students nationwide rely on financial support to pursue their educational goals. In a 2021 study conducted by Sallie May, it was revealed that over 68% of college students submitted the FAFSA during the 2020-21 academic year. The report also highlighted that more than half of families utilized scholarships and grants to cover their tuition fees.

Attempting to fund higher education independently can pose challenges. However, there are abundant opportunities for scholarships for adult learners, as well as grants for adults returning to college, whether through traditional classroom settings or online education platforms.

Scholarships Tailored for Adult Learners

Various online resources cater to adult learners seeking financial aid, providing insights into grants, scholarships, military benefits for veterans, tuition assistance programs from employers, and other forms of financial support.

Moreover, specialized scholarships for adults going back to college target individuals from specific identity groups, fields of study, sports backgrounds, or possessing unique qualities that resonate with scholarship providers. Many educational institutions also offer scholarships to incoming students and maintain dedicated web pages listing available scholarship opportunities. Here are some examples of scholarships accessible to adult learners:

• College JumpStart Scholarship: Intended for nontraditional adult learners, this one-time $1,000 scholarship from the JumpStart Scholarship foundation welcomes applications from U.S. citizens or residents pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in American colleges. Further details can be found on the http://www.jumpstart-scholarship.net/.
• The ASIST Scholarship: Administered by Executive Women International (EWI), these national scholarships support men and women commencing, resuming, or continuing their higher education journey. Preference is given to adult students facing financial difficulties and balancing parental responsibilities. Explore more about the organization and its scholarships on the http://ewiconnect.com/scholarships/asist-scholarship/.
• The 1,000 Dreams Scholarship: This semiannual scholarship, offering grants of up to $1,000, aims to assist female students currently enrolled in high school or college with education-related expenses, excluding tuition fees. Visit the https://1000dreamsfund.org/ for additional information.
• Get Educated Online College Scholarship: Sponsored by Get Educated, this biannual $1,000 scholarship welcomes applications from U.S. students enrolled in online college programs, considering academic achievements and financial needs for award considerations. For further insights, visit the https://www.geteducated.com/free-college-scholarships/20-distance-learning-scholarships.
• Nursing Student Scholarships: Various scholarships are available for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral nursing students, with a comprehensive list accessible via the https://www.aacnnursing.org/Students/Financial-Aid.
• Boomer Benefits Scholarship: Specifically designed for students aged 50 and above enrolled in accredited undergraduate or graduate programs, offering two $2,500 scholarships annually based on academic performance, strong recommendations, and community service involvement. Learn more about this opportunity on the https://boomerbenefits.com/scholarship-requirements/.
• Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE) Scholarship: Tailored for nontraditional students such as full or part-time employees, minority individuals, parents, the homeless or those at risk, and U.S. armed services veterans, ANTSHE provides scholarships of varying amounts annually. Explore eligibility criteria on the https://myantshe.wildapricot.org/ANTSHE-Scholarships.

Financial Aid for Adults Returning to College

There are a number of financial aid opportunities, in addition to scholarships, for adults returning to college. While some adults may be concerned that they won’t qualify for financial aid, the good news is that there is no age limit for federal student aid, and almost anyone is eligible. There are many financial aid options available through government programs, including federal grants. The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the quickest way to apply is online through the website at fafsa.govExternal link:open_in_new.

Categories of federal student aid include:

• Federal Pell Grant. This grant is based on financial need and does not have to be repaid. This is the most popular government grant for adult undergraduate students, whether they’re studying full or part time. To view a list of the major federal grant opportunities, refer to this Federal Student Grant ProgramsExternal link:open_in_new chart.
  • Award amount. As of the 2022-23 school year, the maximum award is $6,895 per academic year. For more information about eligibility and other Pell Grant guidelines, visit Federal Student Aid’s official Pell Grant pageExternal link:open_in_new and its eligibility requirements pageExternal link:open_in_new.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). This grant is well-suited to undergraduate students with acute financial needs, and is available to adult students who have attended college previously and are interested in returning to school to continue their education. Only students who have qualified for a Pell Grant are eligible for this grant. Funds are limited, so students who need extra funding should apply for this grant early in their eligibility year. Complete information about this program can be found at the official FSEOG page.
  • Award amount. The amount of the award varies from $100 to $4,000 per year. Awards are granted according to financial need.
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant. This grant is available to students interested in pursuing a career in teaching. Grant recipients must also commit to completing a teaching service requirement. Individuals who do not complete the teaching service obligation will have their grant converted to a conventional loan. More information can be found on the TEACH pageExternal link:open_in_new.
• Loans. The Federal Student Aid program extends loans to deserving adult students. These loans may be subsidized, which means that students do not pay interest on them while in school, or they may be unsubsidized, meaning students are responsible for paying interest regardless of enrollment status. All loans must be repaid with interest.

If you received student loans in the past and are still paying them off, those loans need to be in good standing before you can receive additional aid. Generally, credit scores are not considered for the award of federal student aid, so if you have less-than-ideal credit, you may still apply.

Grants for Adult Students

Apart from federal grants, students may not realize that nongovernment grants are available to specific types of adult students to address their financial needs. For example, grants can be specific to a student, subject, degree level, or minority when outlining their qualifying criteria. Some specialized grants include the following:

• Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation support awardsExternal link:open_in_new. These awards are available to low-income mothers ages 17 and older who are pursuing their first postsecondary degree. The application criteria for the awards can be found on the foundation’s website.
• Foundation for Science and Disability grantExternal link:open_in_new. This grant is available to fourth-year undergraduate students with disabilities who have been accepted to a STEM program at a professional or graduate school.
• Geologic Society of America awardsExternal link:open_in_new. The GSA offers grants and scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students, including grants to support students engaged in field research.

State grants, such as those listed below, can be accessed when federal and other grant programs do not provide sufficient funding:

• Missouri offers the Fast Track Workforce Incentive GrantExternal link:open_in_new, which is designed for adults who want to pursue a degree or certificate in a high-need field. The state offers a number of additional grants and scholarshipsExternal link:open_in_new.
• The Cal GrantExternal link:open_in_new is the largest source of state funding for California undergraduates of all ages.
• New York state has a Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)External link:open_in_new, which is available to state residents enrolling at an approved school. Applicants for the award must meet income eligibility requirements.
• The Ohio College Opportunity GrantExternal link:open_in_new helps Ohio residents in financial need — as determined by the FAFSA — attend a higher education institution.

Returning to College? Explore Scholarships for Adults and Advance Your Education

There are no obstacles to going back to school that you can’t overcome, and it’s never too late to further your education. There are a number of available financial aid, grant, and scholarship opportunities for adults to help you in your journey to return to college. Are you ready to continue your educational journey and advance your career? Discover how earning a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from Maryville University can prepare you to transform your ambitions into action.