Adult Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

Scholarships for adult students and nontraditional students can help alleviate some of the financial stress of pursuing higher education later in life and give you back time to focus on your studies. One of the most significant barriers for adult learners and nontraditional students is the cost of education, which can be overwhelming for those who are already supporting families or just starting their careers.

Luckily, there are numerous scholarships for adults available that can help relieve some of the financial burden. Scholarships for adult students are intended to help those who didn't have the opportunity to pursue higher education on a traditional timeline go back to school and transition into their dream careers.

Scholarships for adult students are available through federal aid, state-sponsored programs, and individual donors who are passionate about helping nontraditional students and adult learners. Many scholarships for college students do not have age restrictions and accept applications from nontraditional students, so adult learners can often qualify for traditional scholarships for college students. You can browse scholarships for adult students through Bold.org's scholarship search engine.

To learn more about scholarships for college students, check out more blog posts like this one on our Scholarship Blog. And don't forget to create a free Bold.org profile to access hundreds of college scholarships for a chance to win scholarship money.

Federal Student Aid for Adults and Nontraditional Students

Financial aid is a critical tool for adult students and nontraditional students who might be deterred from going back to school by the rising cost of higher education. The process of applying for financial aid as an older student is no different than the process for traditional students or high school seniors.

Adult and nontraditional students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA, each year to qualify for federal aid. The FAFSA becomes live each year on October 1st for financial aid for the upcoming school year.

Once you complete the FAFSA, you'll receive an expected family contribution that then determines the amount of aid you can receive in financial assistance. Your school will then provide you with a financial aid package usually consisting of a combination of federal student loans, federal work-study, and federal and state grants. You can learn more about applying for financial aid through this blog post.

There are also many private and public scholarships for college students intended for students with demonstrated financial need that don't have an age limit. Older students who qualify for financial aid can apply to need-based scholarships to supplement federal student loans or grants that they receive through their FAFSA application.

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is one of the most well-known financial aid options for adults and nontraditional students. It is a need-based grant that is available to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree.

One of the benefits of the Pell Grant is that it does not have to be repaid, making it a great option for those who do not want to take on additional debt.

The amount of funding that a student can receive through the Pell Grant varies based on their financial need and the cost of attendance of their chosen institution. However, the maximum award amount for the 2022-2023 academic year is $6,895.

To apply for the Pell Grant, there is no separate application. Rather, potential applicants should complete the FAFSA on time and meet the general federal financial aid eligibility requirements.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is another need-based financial aid program that offers federal financial aid to students with exceptional financial need. Recipients can receive between $100 to $4,000 through the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant each year.

To qualify for this program, applicants need to attend a participating Title IV School and complete the FAFSA on time. The grant is funded in partnership between the federal government and participating schools, with the government providing 75% percent of funds and your school providing 25%.

Imagine America Scholarship

The Imagine America Scholarship from the Imagine America Foundation is another great option for adult students who are pursuing technical or vocational education. This scholarship is awarded to students attending participating career colleges across the United States.

To be eligible for the Imagine America Scholarship, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have a high school diploma or GED, and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship provides up to $1,000 in funding for tuition and other education related expenses.

Teacher Education Assistance For College and Higher Education Grant

The TEACH Grant from the Department of Education provides up to $4,000 each year in financial aid for students that agree to a four-year service obligation following graduation. Students who receive a TEACH grant agree to teach a high-demand subject in a low income area where teachers are needed for that particular subject in elementary and middle school.

A variety of fields have been designated as high need by the federal or state government and allow those studying them to qualify for a teach grant. Students majoring in sciences, mathematics, special education, a foreign language, and various other subjects can qualify for a TEACH grant.

Are you a first-generation adult learner? Browse these first-generation scholarships to lessen your college costs!

State Specific Grants and Scholarships for Adults

Some states offer grants that are specifically intended for adult and nontraditional students. To qualify for state grants and scholarships, you'll need to be a resident of that particular state and attend college in-state. Here are a few examples of state-specific scholarships for older students:

1. The Maine State Grant Program for Adult Learners offers grants for students 24 or older who demonstrate financial need. The program awards $2,500 annually, and a simple application process consisting of just the FAFSA.
2. Indiana's "You Can Go Back" Adult Student Grant provides up to $2,000 annually for adult students who are working and starting or finishing a college degree. Both full and part-time adult students can qualify for this award.
3. The Idaho Opportunity Scholarship for Adult Learners provides up to $3,500 annually for adult students who are attending college in-state after graduating from an Idaho high school.
4. Tennessee's Reconnect Grant provides tuition assistance for adult students who are pursuing an associate degree or a program at a technical school in a Tennessee community college. This award covers the full cost of tuition and fees after other forms of financial aid have been applied.

If you're a single mom, you can find single parent scholarships here on Bold.org!

Scholarships For Paying Off Student Loan Debt

Scholarships from donors on Bold.org can also help adult students reduce their student debt after they have already completed their undergraduate or graduate degree.

These scholarships enable older students to get one step closer to their financial goals of saving, investing, starting a business, or buying a home by assisting them with paying off their student debt. Considering that the average college student graduates with over $30,000 in debt, applying for scholarships that help you reduce your student loan debt can be a game-changer in navigating post-grad finances.

Bold.org Scholarships

Access personalized scholarships tailored for you on Bold.org, where scholarship opportunities are available. Directly apply to these scholarship opportunities with a free Bold.org account. Present your distinctive story to scholarship panels and stand out. Simply apply to any of the above scholarships to get started!

Are you an adult college student with great grades? Check out these academic scholarships now!

Who Are Adult Learners and Nontraditional Students?

Adult and nontraditional students are generally considered to be those who are age 25 or older when they begin their undergraduate studies. Adult students come from diverse backgrounds and may face several challenges that traditional students are less likely to encounter.

For instance, many adult students have to balance their studies with work and family responsibilities, which can make it difficult to find the time to study and complete assignments. Additionally, adult learners may be more likely to experience financial difficulties that make it challenging to pay for tuition, textbooks, and other educational expenses.

However, adult learners may also bring unique experiences and perspectives to the classroom from their work experiences or other life experiences, which can enrich classroom discussions and enhance the learning experience for all students.

What are the best colleges for adult students?

When choosing a college as an adult student, several factors that may impact busy adult students with family or work obligations should be taken into account.

For example, adult students can benefit from flexible course schedules such as evening, weekend, or online classes so that they can balance family and work responsibilities that can interfere with courses.

Adult students with prior college experience or college credit from community colleges can also take advantage of generous transfer credit policies that can help them complete their degrees more quickly.

Furthermore, colleges that offer support services like academic advising, career counseling, and tutoring can make a big difference in helping adult students achieve their goals.

Can adult students get financial aid?

Adult students are absolutely eligible to qualify for federal financial aid and need-based scholarships available for undergraduate students.

Receiving financial assistance through the FAFSA, for college grants for example, does not have an age requirement, so all students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees can apply for federal grants and scholarships.

While returning to school as an adult or nontraditional student can be challenging, scholarships and grants can make education more accessible and affordable for those following a unique timeline in their education.

The Pell Grants, Imagine America Scholarship, and state-specific grants are just a few examples of the many financial aid options available to adult learners.

If you're considering going back to school, make sure to research all of your options and apply for as many scholarships possible to ease the financial burden. You can browse hundreds of scholarships for college students that do not have age requirements by creating a free Bold.org account. And be sure to check out more blog posts like this one to continue learning about student loans and scholarships.