If you’ve opted to return to school to enhance your professional skills or advance your career in a specific field, it’s crucial not to overlook the numerous scholarships designed for working professionals across the country.
While many employed individuals may earn too much to qualify for need-based financial aid from the federal government, pursuing higher education often demands additional financial support. This is particularly true for working professionals who juggle family responsibilities while managing the demands of both work and academic commitments.
Fortunately, there are outstanding scholarship opportunities tailored for working adults returning to college, aiming to help them achieve their professional aspirations.
Part-time Student Scholarships For Working Professionals
The AFCEA Educational Foundation Scholarship:
The AFCEA Educational Foundation is offering the Working Professionals Scholarship, with a deadline of May 1st. This scholarship, valued at $1,500, is designed for part-time students actively pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree while working. It is specifically targeted towards young professionals under the age of 40 employed in fields such as communications, engineering, computer science, or electronics. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in a recognized U.S. institution, hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, and have declared a major in one of the qualifying STEM disciplines.
The Alliss Educational Foundation:
Deadline: Continuous
Managed by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MNSCU), the Alliss Educational Foundation Grant aims to cover the tuition costs for working adult learners. This opportunity is available for those embarking on their first college experience or returning to pursue an associate’s degree. Eligible applicants should be legal residents of Minnesota, enrolled part-time in a Minnesota community college, and have been out of school for a minimum of seven years before applying.
The Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation:
The deadline for submission is December 15th.
Annually, the BPW Foundation grants multiple Career Advancement Scholarships valued at $2,000 each. These scholarships aim to offer financial support to women employed in professional roles, enabling them to pursue further education for career advancement or re-entry into the workforce. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial need, be 25 years or older, be enrolled in a STEM bachelor’s degree program, and have admission to an accredited institution.
The Dale Seymour Fund Scholarship for Teachers:
The Dale Seymour Fund Scholarship for Teachers, administered by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), offers a $2,000 award. This scholarship aims to support certified mathematics educators with a minimum of three years of teaching experience who plan to continue teaching after obtaining an additional degree or certificate. To apply, interested candidates must submit a course proposal, a letter of support from their principal, a detailed budget plan, and a resume highlighting their work experiences. The application deadline is November 7th.
The Donald A. Baldwin Scholarship:
The deadline for the Donald A. Baldwin Sr. Business Aviation Management Scholarship, available through the National Business Aviation Association (NABA), is November 15th. This scholarship aims to support working professionals in the aviation industry by offering up to $1,225 to cover expenses related to professional development in their pursuit of the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) credential in the United States. To be eligible, applicants must be qualified to take the CAM examination within two years of receiving the scholarship, submit a current professional resume, and furnish two letters of recommendation.
The Hung Phi Tieu and Lan Vuong Scholarship:
The Hung Phi Tieu and Lan Vuong Working Student Scholarship, with a deadline of May 15th, is established as a tribute to the resilience and industrious spirit of Vietnamese war refugee parents. This scholarship, valued at $1,500, is granted each year to an active undergraduate student who is successfully balancing a workload of at least 20 hours per week alongside their academic commitments. Eligible candidates should be high school graduates, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, and demonstrate financial need.
The Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Scholarship:
The Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant, with a deadline of June 15th, pays tribute to the renowned French chef known for his commitment to mentorship. Annually awarded by the James Beard Foundation, this grant offers up to $10,000 to active chefs aiming to enhance their skills by collaborating with some of the country’s top culinary experts. Eligible candidates must be 21 years or older, possess a minimum of three years of professional kitchen experience as a chef, and are required to submit an essay outlining their educational aspirations.
The Annual Josh Gottheil Memorial Career Development Scholarship:
The annual Josh Gottheil Memorial Career Development Award, facilitated by the Oncology Nursing Society Foundation, has a deadline of June 15th. This award grants $2,000 to four qualified registered nurses actively engaged in bone marrow transplantation, aiming to pursue further education in transplant nursing. Eligible applicants are required to dedicate a minimum of 75% of their work to direct patient care and possess a minimum of two years of experience in bone marrow transplantation.
The Larry McDonald Pride Scholarship:
The Larry McDonald Pride Scholarship, offered through the Equity Foundation of Oregon and Washington, has a deadline of June 30th. This scholarship provides financial support of up to $5,000 for mid-life working professionals aiming to make a substantial life or career change by pursuing a degree in the arts and humanities. Eligible fields include history, literature, philosophy, fine arts, religion, or performing arts. To be considered, applicants must self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) and must also be accepted into an accredited U.S. educational program.
The Laurels Fund Post-Graduate Scholarship:
The Laurels Fund Post-Graduate Scholarship, with a deadline of May 15th, is available through the Educational Foundation of Women in Accounting (EFWA) for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) seeking to pursue a doctoral degree in accounting. Female accountants returning to college can receive up to $5,000. Selection criteria include academic excellence, dedication to community service, financial need, professionalism, and career goals.
The Marius “Gabe” DeGabriele Scholarship:
The Marius “Gabe” DeGabriele Scholarship, administered by the Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE), has an annual application deadline of January 31st. This scholarship offers up to $2,500 to non-traditional working professionals who are re-enrolling in an accredited U.S. institution to pursue a graduate degree in their respective fields. Eligible applicants should exhibit significant academic potential, maintain at least part-time enrollment, engage in full-time employment with a commitment of 35 hours or more per week while attending school, and demonstrate financial independence.
The National Collegiate Cancer Foundation:
Each year, the National Collegiate Cancer Foundation (NCCF) offers competitive scholarships worth $1,000 with a deadline on May 15th. These scholarships are specifically designed for young adult professionals whose pursuit of higher education was disrupted due to a cancer diagnosis. To qualify, applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old, U.S. citizens, cancer survivors or current patients, and intending to enroll in an accredited college for undergraduate or graduate studies in the upcoming fall semester.
Scholarships for Emerging Technology Transfer Experts:
Application Deadline: September 13th
The Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) has instituted the New Technology Transfer Professionals Scholarships, offering an annual grant of up to $4,000. This initiative aims to enhance educational prospects for five early-career professionals engaged in technology transfer within countries classified as developing economies. Eligible candidates are required to maintain active membership, work at an academic or non-profit institution in a qualifying nation, and possess less than two years of full-time experience in the field.
The Osher Reentry Scholarship Program:
The Osher Reentry Scholarship Program, operating under the Bernard Osher Foundation, offers an annual award of up to $50,000 for individuals seeking to resume their undergraduate studies after a hiatus in their post-secondary education. This scholarship is specifically designed for working professionals who have encountered a cumulative education gap of five or more years. To be eligible, applicants must be pursuing their initial bachelor’s degree, exhibit financial need, and have plans for substantial workforce involvement following graduation. The application deadline varies.
The Purdue Span Plan Scholarship:
Purdue Span Plan Grants, administered by the Division of Student Affairs at Purdue University in West Lafayette, are available with deadlines in June, December, and April 1st. These grants, valued at $1,000 per semester, are specifically designed for non-traditional adult professionals intending to enroll at least part-time in an undergraduate degree program at the university. Eligibility criteria include maintaining good academic standing, enrolling in a minimum of seven credit hours, and demonstrating a considerable level of financial need.
The Talbots Women’s Scholarship:
The Talbots Women’s Scholarship Program, sponsored by the Talbots Charitable Foundation, has an upcoming deadline on January 20th. This annual program aims to support professional women seeking to enhance their career opportunities by pursuing a college degree later in life. The foundation offers one scholarship worth $30,000 and thirty scholarships each valued at $5,000. Eligible applicants must reside in the United States or Canada, have obtained a high school diploma before September 2004, plan to enroll in an accredited two or four-year institution, and have a minimum of two semesters left to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Conclusion:
Whether you hold a high school diploma, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or even a master’s degree, reentering the academic realm to pursue another degree can be a valuable choice to enhance your prospects of progressing in today’s competitive job market. Although financial aid options may not be as readily available for adults compared to recent high school graduates, there are various scholarships specifically designed for working professionals that can be tapped into to facilitate career growth later in life.
