The Federal Pell Grant Program awards grants to adult students who are pursuing an undergraduate education and need financial help. Eligible students can attend a traditional university, a junior college, or a vocational school. Grants range from under $500 to over $4,000 and are renewable. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is a need based award available to adult students. The award ranges from $100 to $4,000. Additional information can be found through ed.gov, including fafsa.ed.gov.
An example of a school specific grant is the Alma Baron Second Chance for Women sponsored at the University of Wisconsin--Madison. Students must be at least 45 years old, have legal status (U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident) and demonstrate financial need. The school also has the Osher Reentry Scholarship for full or part time students that have at least a five-year gap in their education.
The Janette Rankin Foundation Women's Education Fund (rankinfoundation.org) annually gives about 80 awards that average $2,000 for each student. Applicants have to be U.S. citizens, women who are at least 35 years old and meet Federal Low Income Guidelines.
The American Association of University Women (aauw.org) offers several grants and fellowships to female students. For instance, the Career Development Grant awards students who have a bachelor's degree but are returning to school to change their career.
The Soroptomist International of the Americas (soroptimist.org) is an organization that offers various grants, like the Women's Opportunity Awards and the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Campaign. The Opportunity Awards targets women who are primary supporters of their families and are pursuing their education at a vocation school, junior college, or traditional college.