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!