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Scholarships for Older Students Returning to College

When adults return to college, they often are in the middle of a career change or looking to bounce back from a bout of unemployment. Older students may have families to support, and often attend school on a part-time basis. These students in transition are not always eligible for traditional scholarships, which often are geared toward graduating high school seniors. Many grantors, companies and colleges are recognizing the need for adult scholarships.

  1. Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST)

    • Adult students are often referred to as "nontraditional students."

      This is a need-based scholarship awarded by Executive Women International (EWI), but is not limited to women. According to the EWI website, scholarships are..."available to adults facing economic, social, or physical challenges, who are looking to improve their situation through educational opportunities." Scholarship awards vary in amounts.

      Executive Women International
      515 S. 700 East Suite 2A
      Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
      801-355-2800
      executivewomen.org

    Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

    • This organization offers numerous scholarships funded by well-recognized businesses and organizations, such as Office Depot, which offers a scholarship for which part-time students are eligible; and Aetna, whose scholarship is available to part-time nursing students. Not all scholarships are limited to students of Hispanic backgrounds. Many are need-based, and the awards vary. Applicants must be attending or planning to attend a HACU member school.

      Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
      National Headquarters
      8415 Datapoint Drive, Suite 400
      San Antonio, TX 78229
      210-692-3805
      hacu.net

    American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)

    • The AFL-CIO is an organization comprising 56 national and international labor unions with 3 million members in the United States. AFL-CIO offers the Union Plus Scholarship which is geared toward adult students. Union members, as well as spouses and dependent children, are eligible to apply. Awards range from $500 to $4,000.

      Union Privilege
      1125 15th St. NW, Suite 300
      Washington, DC 20005
      202-293-5311 (fax)
      unionplus.org

    Employers

    • Talk with your boss about scholarships your company may offer.

      Many companies offer scholarships to children of their employees. More and more companies today are offering those same scholarships to employees and their families pursuing either undergraduate or graduate degrees. For instance, McDonald's offers the USA National Employee Scholarship Program, Wal-Mart offers the Associate Scholarship Program and Target has its All Around Scholarships. Inquire at the company's human resources department or with a member of management.

    Financial Aid Departments

    • The Financial Aid Office can help with forms and applications.

      The Financial Aid Office at the institution you are planning to attend holds a wealth of information regarding scholarships. Many colleges offer scholarships to their own students based not only on need, but area of study, GPA and more. The Financial Aid Office can help in choosing the best scholarships, and it can be instrumental in helping fill out forms and scholarship applications.

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