Two federal grants are available to all students, not just lifelong learners. One is the Pell Grant, which is for undergraduate students who have not earned a degree yet. The award can be for part-time study, too. For the 2008-09 school year, the maximum award was $4,731. The other is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, which is for students with exceptional financial need.
Many states offer lifelong learning grants through career and work force development programs. In Virginia, the State Council of Higher Education offers a grant for up to $5,000 to Virginia students who are at least part-time students at a state college or university. The award is based on need.
Several Internet search engines will mine for scholarships for the nontraditional student as well as the high school senior. Two of the most popular search engines are FastWeb and FastAid. They collect information about your education level, interests and the schools you want to attend. They then pull all the scholarships and grants that fit your needs. Again, these aren't necessarily geared toward lifelong learners, but they help nontraditional students get back into school.
The Bernard Osher Foundation offers this scholarship to students between the ages of 25 and 50 who have had a five year or more break in their studies. Both full- and part-time students qualify. Financial need, academic promise and a commitment to staying the course are all evaluated as part of the scholarship process. The foundation will consider grants of up to $50,000 a year, which could be renewed for a second or third year. The grant program is not for graduate students or students who want a second degree. The organization has endowed continuing grants at a variety of colleges throughout the country.
For those who love to learn just for the sake of learning, the Osher Foundation Lifelong Learning Institutes provide classes specifically for older adults. Offered at more than 120 universities and colleges throughout the U.S., the program has a lot of variety. However, one similarity is important: The focus remains on noncredit, educational offerings, such as courses and lectures.