Find non-traditional student scholarships with complete eligibility criteria, application processes, and award amounts. Access resources and tips to secure funding for your education.
Breaking the mold has never been more rewarding. Non-traditional students—those returning to school after a gap, balancing careers and family, or starting college later in life—bring invaluable perspectives to campus. Recognizing this unique journey, numerous scholarships are specifically designed for adult learners, parents, veterans, and career changers pursuing education outside the conventional timeline. These funding opportunities acknowledge the extra challenges of juggling multiple responsibilities while earning a degree. With dedicated financial support available, achieving educational goals at any age or stage becomes significantly more accessible and affordable.
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Featured Affordable Online Programs
Find non-traditional student scholarships with complete eligibility criteria, application processes, and award amounts. Access resources and tips to secure funding for your education.
Southern New Hampshire University
PROGRAM: Best & Affordable Online Bachelors Programs
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on campus students, over 170,000 online students, making it one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. Founded in 1932, we’ve been relentlessly reinventing higher education ever since and have gained national recognition for our dedication to helping students transform their lives and the lives of those around them.
We’re proud to provide affordable, accessible education that students can pursue on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, or via our innovative online platform.
SNHU has earned the GetEducated.com Best Buy and Best of Business – Best Online Degree awards and is consistently ranked as a top Military Friendly® School by G.I Jobs®.
Top 10 Non-Traditional Student Scholarships
This guide highlights the Top 10 Non-Traditional Student Scholarships, emphasizing their focus on learners returning to education through unique life paths. Each opportunity is highlighted for its mission to help adult students, career changers, and those balancing multiple responsibilities. The guide outlines how these awards strengthen educational access, recognize diverse journeys, and help non-traditional applicants build momentum toward long-term academic and professional goals. Here is a list of the top 10 Non-Traditional Student Scholarships:
- Courage to Grow Scholarship
- Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
- Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation
- AAUW Career Development Grants
- P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education
- Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards
- Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)
- NBNA Scholarship Program (National Black Nurses Association)
- Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
- Return2College Scholarship
Top 10 Non-Traditional Student Scholarships — Details
The Top 10 Non-Traditional Student Scholarships featured here represent carefully selected opportunities that support learners with diverse educational journeys. These programs were chosen for their strong focus on accessibility, academic progress, and real-world impact. This explains what makes each scholarship valuable, highlighting how eligibility criteria, selection priorities, and program goals align with the unique needs of non-traditional students. Here is the detailed list of the top 10 Non-Traditional Student Scholarships:
| Scholarship | Description | Award/Amount | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courage to Grow Scholarship | The Courage to Grow is a Non-Traditional Student Scholarship for students demonstrating determination to pursue higher education despite personal or financial challenges. Selection emphasizes commitment to academic progress, perseverance, and goal clarity. Applicants typically submit an essay reflecting motivation, resilience, and future aspirations, making this scholarship well-suited for non-traditional learners continuing or returning to college. | $1000 | December annually |
| Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund | The Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund assists low-income women pursuing undergraduate degrees later in life. The program prioritizes financial need, educational commitment, and maturity. Many of these Non-Traditional Student Scholarships recipients are adult learners balancing education with work and family responsibilities, making the fund a recognized supporter of women seeking economic stability through education. | Varies | Varies |
| Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation | The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation supports women from low-income backgrounds pursuing education or training. This Non-Traditional Student Scholarship emphasizes leadership potential, community impact, and dedication to social justice. The foundation honors the legacy of Patsy Mink by empowering women whose education advances equity, opportunity, and meaningful societal contribution. | Varies | Varies |
| AAUW Career Development Grants | AAUW Career Development Grants are among the Non-Traditional Student Scholarships that assist women seeking to advance or change their careers through education. The program focuses on women with previous education or workforce experience who are pursuing credentials to improve professional opportunities. Selection considers academic plans, career objectives, and demonstrated commitment to economic self-sufficiency and long-term professional growth. | $8000 | Varies |
| P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education | The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education is a well-recognized option among Non-Traditional Student Scholarships, supporting women returning to school after significant educational interruptions. Eligible applicants often balance academics with employment or caregiving responsibilities. The program emphasizes perseverance, demonstrated financial need, and commitment to completing education that strengthens career prospects and long-term personal stability. | $4000 | Varies |
| Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards | Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards are widely recognized among Non-Traditional Student Scholarships, supporting women pursuing education to improve economic circumstances. The program focuses on women who are primary financial providers for families while completing degrees or training. Selection emphasizes financial need, motivation, and determination, acknowledging the challenges of balancing education, employment, and caregiving responsibilities. | Varies | Varies |
| Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP) | The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP) is an important example of Non-Traditional Student Scholarships, assisting survivors of intimate partner abuse pursuing education. The program supports academic and vocational training that fosters independence and economic stability. Eligibility emphasizes safety planning, financial need, and educational commitment, helping recipients rebuild lives through education and career-focused opportunities. | Varies | Varies |
| NBNA Scholarship Program (National Black Nurses Association) | The NBNA Scholarship Program (National Black Nurses Association) is a notable option within Non-Traditional Student Scholarships, supporting Black nursing students enrolled in accredited programs. The initiative promotes academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to improving healthcare outcomes. Selection considers community involvement, professional goals, and dedication to advancing diversity in the nursing profession through education and service. | Varies | Varies |
| Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship | The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship is recognized among Non-Traditional Student Scholarships, supporting students pursuing degrees in computer science or related fields. The program emphasizes academic potential, demonstrated interest in technology, and leadership. Many recipients come from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds, aligning the scholarship with workforce development and expanded access to technology education. | Varies | January 15, 2026 |
| Return2College Scholarship | The Return2College Scholarship is a strong example of Non-Traditional Student Scholarships, assisting adult learners returning to higher education after time away. Selection prioritizes personal statements demonstrating motivation, life experience, and educational goals. Designed for non-traditional students, the scholarship recognizes determination, maturity, and commitment to degree completion while balancing professional or personal responsibilities. | $1000 | January 31, 2026 |
What Do You Need to Get a Non-Traditional Student Scholarship?
Securing a non-traditional student scholarship involves meeting clear academic, personal, and professional expectations designed to support learners returning to education. Selection committees look for commitment, direction, and readiness for success. Strong documentation, compelling goals, and verifiable life experience often strengthen applications and demonstrate how continued education aligns with future advancement. Here are a few effective ways to qualify for Non-Traditional Student Scholarships
- Demonstrated academic readiness supported by transcripts, past coursework, or relevant training, showing consistent effort and the ability to manage college-level material while balancing responsibilities often associated with work, family commitments, and long-term educational aspirations.
- Clear educational and career goals expressed through thoughtful statements outlining purpose, program interest, long-term vision, and how renewed academic progression strengthens future opportunities, creating a compelling case for investment in continued learning and professional development.
- Documented financial need or life circumstances, including employment history, family responsibilities, career interruptions, or other barriers that highlight determination, persistence, and motivation for returning to school despite challenges that may have delayed or disrupted earlier educational pathways.
- Strong application materials, such as essays, recommendation letters, and completed forms, that reflect genuine ambition, focused planning, and a commitment to success, demonstrating readiness to fully engage in academic work and benefit from tailored financial support opportunities.
How to Apply for Non-Traditional Student Scholarships?
Applying for non-traditional student scholarships requires careful preparation, organized planning, and clear presentation of goals. Strong applications highlight life experience, academic readiness, and financial need. Effective steps help showcase commitment to returning to education, making each submission more competitive and increasing the likelihood of gaining meaningful support for continued academic progress.
- Begin by identifying scholarships specifically designed for adult learners, returning students, career changers, or individuals with family and work obligations, ensuring each opportunity aligns with educational goals, eligibility requirements, and long-term academic plans for successful reintegration into higher education.
- Gather essential documents, including transcripts, recommendation letters, proof of enrollment plans, and employment or family background details, confirming that each requirement is complete, accurate, and organized to demonstrate clear readiness for continued academic development.
- Write compelling application essays that highlight motivation for returning to school, lessons gained from life experience, and clear goals for future advancement, ensuring each response communicates authenticity, determination, and strong alignment with scholarship values.
- Submit all materials before the required window closes, double-checking forms, attachments, and written responses to ensure accuracy, clarity, and compliance, while keeping copies of all documents for reference throughout the review process or follow-up communication.
Additional Resources for Non-Traditional Student Scholarships
Support platforms play a critical role in helping non-traditional students navigate scholarship opportunities with confidence. These tools support targeted searches, eligibility matching, and application tracking, while providing guidance on academic planning. Many also create spaces for networking, mentorship, and peer interaction, allowing learners to exchange experiences, gain encouragement, and build connections that strengthen persistence and long-term educational success. Here are a few websites for scholarship resources:
Scholarships.com
Scholarships.com offers a large, searchable database of scholarships for diverse student populations, including adult learners and career changers. The platform provides eligibility-based matching, financial aid education, and college-planning insights, helping students efficiently identify opportunities aligned with their academic goals and personal circumstances.
Bold.org
Bold.org features exclusive, frequently updated scholarships funded by individuals and organizations. The platform highlights opportunities for non-traditional students, first-generation learners, and career-focused applicants. With a modern interface and simple applications, Bold.org encourages consistent engagement and ongoing discovery of new funding options.
Going Merry
Going Merry streamlines the scholarship application process by allowing students to apply to multiple opportunities through a single profile. The platform emphasizes ease, organization, and accessibility, making it especially helpful for non-traditional students balancing work, family responsibilities, and education while pursuing financial support.
Appily.com
Appily.com supports students with personalized scholarship matching, college search tools, and financial aid insights. The platform helps non-traditional learners explore education pathways, compare institutions, and identify funding opportunities aligned with career goals, academic history, and life experience through data-driven recommendations and planning resources.
FAQs About the Non-Traditional Student Scholarships
What are non-traditional student scholarships?
Non-traditional student scholarships support learners who fall outside the typical college-age or enrollment pattern. These scholarships commonly assist adult learners, working professionals, parents, military veterans, and career changers pursuing undergraduate or graduate education through flexible, accessible academic pathways.