Non-traditional students might express frustration over the limited availability of scholarships compared to their more conventional counterparts. Although it is accurate that recent high school graduates have a wider array of scholarship opportunities, there are still excellent options accessible for non-traditional students.
Various grants and scholarships are designed to assist these individuals in offsetting a portion of their tuition or related costs, and some even cover the entire cost of their education. The list below highlights just a few of the top scholarships available to non-traditional students.
Finding Unique Scholarships For Non-Traditional Students
Scholarship By Pride Foundations:
To be eligible for Pride Foundation scholarships, individuals must identify as LGBTQ+ or be an ally, reside in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington, demonstrate financial need, and be actively pursuing post-secondary education.
The Foundation provides over 60 scholarships to students exhibiting leadership potential in any chosen field of study, particularly those facing financial challenges. Since its establishment in 1993, the scholarship program has granted over $5 million in post-secondary funding.
Recipients can utilize the scholarship funds for various college-related expenses such as tuition, books, room and board, or study abroad programs, with the awards being directly disbursed to accredited institutions.
The Chief Simon Kahquados Scholarship:
The Chief Simon Kahquados Scholarship, provided by the Forest County Potawatomi, Keeper of the Fire, offers a $5,000 award to Wisconsin residents and US citizens who are returning or continuing students at a Wisconsin educational institution with at least one year of coursework and a minimum 2.25 GPA.
While there are three scholarships offered by the foundation, the Chief Simon Kahquados Scholarship is unique as it is open to non-traditional students. Although multiple awards may be given annually, this one-time scholarship is not renewable. Membership in the Potawatomi or other Native American tribes is not a requirement for application.
The Ellen M. Cherry-Delawder Memorial Scholarship:
The Ellen M. Cherry-Delawder Memorial Scholarship is open to Howard Community College students who are single parents with dependent child(ren), preferably majoring in business. The scholarship, available to non-traditional students, provides varying award amounts and can be utilized at the main campus in Columbia or any of the satellite campuses. Howard Community College, situated in Howard County, Maryland, offers a diverse range of programs in Arts and Humanities, Business, Culinary Arts, Teacher Education, and more, with additional grants and scholarships specifically tailored for non-traditional students.
The eQuality Scholarship Collaborative:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a resident of either northern or central California
- Must be pursuing a nursing or graduate health degree within the state of California, or
- Must be pursuing a graduate health degree at any accredited institution
The eQuality Scholarship Collaborative, located in the San Francisco Bay area, is a foundation committed to granting scholarships to individuals within the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters. Since its establishment in 1989, the foundation has proudly distributed over 375 awards, totaling more than $1.4 million.
Annually, eQuality bestows approximately 20 scholarships, with a significant portion designated for non-traditional students. Successful applicants for these scholarships are expected to demonstrate a commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, exhibit leadership qualities, and excel academically. The award amounts may vary.
Scholarship By Hawaii Community Foundation:
Hawaii Community Foundation Scholarships have varying eligibility criteria. The foundation provides access to a diverse range of grants and scholarships tailored to individual requirements. With over 100 scholarships available, both traditional and non-traditional students can apply. Some scholarships are linked to specific organizations or businesses, such as the ABC Stores Jumpstart Scholarship Fund.
Additionally, certain scholarships target students with particular ancestries, like the Dr. Julius Bajet Sorla Memorial Scholarship Fund, exclusively for Filipino students.
While many scholarships are reserved for Hawaii residents, some, like the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Memorial Scholarship Fund, are open to students nationwide, contingent on meeting specific criteria. To explore the details of each award and its prerequisites, students are encouraged to use the foundation’s scholarship search tool.
Scholarship for Early Childhood Educators:
Eligibility:
Currently enrolled in a program for an early childhood education degree
In addition to the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois provides an opportunity for students to apply for any of their 80 scholarships through a single application.
While many scholarships are available to both traditional and non-traditional students, some have specific criteria. Even if students don’t meet eligibility requirements for all scholarships, completing the application is still beneficial, as they will be considered for those applicable to their individual circumstances.
Scholarship By Ernest And Charlene Stachwiak:
Eligibility:
- Open to current college students or those pursuing non-traditional education.
- Must have a permanent address in Winnebago or Boone County, Illinois.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Showcase financial need.
Apart from the Ernest and Charlene Stachowiak Memorial Scholarship, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois offers over 80 scholarships. Applicants for any of these scholarships will be considered for all eligible ones based on their qualifications.
The John Lennon Scholarships:
Qualifications:
- Currently attending or having completed studies at a U.S. college or university
- Aged between 17 and 24
- The submitted song must not have any associated rights
The John Lennon Scholarships cater to aspiring songwriters and composers, offering financial support for education at any U.S. college or university. Distinguishing themselves from many other scholarships, these awards are accessible to individuals post-graduation, allowing recipients to utilize the funds for repaying student loans or other debts incurred during their academic journey.
Applicants are required to present an original song in the genres of alternative, pop, indie, electronica, R&B, or experimental. Each year, three scholarships, with amounts of up to $20,000, are granted.
The Oregon Barber and Hairdressers Grant Program:
The Oregon Barber and Hairdressers Grant Program is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible individuals pursuing education in hair design, barbering, or cosmetology. To qualify, applicants must be residents of Oregon, enrolled full-time in a relevant educational program, and demonstrate a clear financial need.
This program, administered by the Office of Student Access and Completion within the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, offers one-time awards of varying amounts annually. It’s important to note that individuals currently incarcerated, in high school, or in default of any Title IV loans are not eligible for these grants.
Scholarship Eligibility for Mothers of Multiples Club:
Eligibility:
- Must be a mother of multiples or have given birth to twins, triplets, etc.
- Cannot be associated with any Mothers of Multiples club
- Currently enrolled in college or graduating from high school soon
The Southern California Mothers of Multiples Clubs offer support to both multiples and their mothers. Multiples have the option to apply individually or as a group. Selection criteria include financial need, academic performance, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and involvement in extracurricular activities. These scholarships are accessible to both traditional and non-traditional students, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.
Scholarship By Dr. Constance L. Goode:
The Dr. Constance L. Goode Memorial Scholarship is open to African American individuals in Illinois who are either current high school seniors or already enrolled in college, with a focus on pursuing an education degree.
A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for eligibility. Unlike some scholarships, financial need is not a determining factor for this award. Instead, the selection committee evaluates applicants based on their personal essay and demonstrated potential to effect positive change in their community.
Administered by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, this scholarship is part of a broader range of opportunities accessible through a single application process, welcoming applications from both traditional and non-traditional students, although specific eligibility criteria may vary for each scholarship.
The Ottawa University Alumni Impact Award:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be entering Ottawa University for the first time.
- Nomination is required, and the applicant must be referred by a Ottawa University alum.
The Ottawa University Alumni Impact Award sets itself apart by being bestowed upon individuals by alumni of the university. This scholarship, amounting to $500, is available to new students at Ottawa University who are recommended by alumni.
The recipients can be either traditional or non-traditional students, provided they are not currently enrolled at the university. While each student is eligible for only one award, alumni have the opportunity to nominate multiple students for this $500 scholarship.
The Mary Frann Carol Scholarship:
The Mary Frann Carol Scholarship is available to residents of Sarasota County, Florida, who have been out of high school for at least three years. This scholarship is designed for non-traditional students aspiring to enroll in a university or trade school. The award, totaling $3,000, can be utilized for tuition, books, and other related fees but is not applicable to living expenses.
It is noteworthy that the scholarship is renewable for recipients maintaining a GPA of 3.2 or higher. The Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida administers the Mary Frann Carol Scholarship, made possible through a generous contribution from Mary Frann Carroll’s estate.
The Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship:
Eligibility:
- This scholarship is available to high school seniors planning to attend college after graduation.
- Applicants must have a personal connection or experience with Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Submission of a 1,200 to 1,500-word essay is required.
The Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest invites high school seniors, who are on the path to college, to apply. Despite being categorized as “traditional” applicants, these individuals are considered “non-traditional” due to their direct or indirect encounters with Alzheimer’s.
Participants are required to submit essays of 1,200 to 1,500 words, and successful entries have the chance to receive scholarship awards ranging from $500 to $5,000.
Conclusion:
Several scholarships and grants are available to support non-traditional or returning students who may feel overlooked in the scholarship process. These funding opportunities cater to individuals pursuing education later in life and are backed by diverse sources such as corporations, professional associations, colleges, and universities. Non-traditional students, including those returning to complete an interrupted education, can explore numerous scholarship options tailored to their unique circumstances to help them achieve their educational objectives.
