Grants for Adults Returning to School – The United States government, along with many organizations and foundations across the country emphasizes using education to raise one’s standard of living. There are many adults who in their teenage days dropped out of college and now considering returning to school. As you know, most of the jobs available on the market base the salary for the employees on three factors: location, experience, and education. In short, by having a degree your chance of getting a raise also increases.
However, getting back to school is not as easy as turning your hands. There are many things to consider including your spouse and children. There are also daily expenses to cover. Therefore, to encourage these people to go back to college, financial assistance programs are from the government and/or other organizations.
There are many financial aids for adults returning to school, including grants programs. If you’re eligible for the grant, it means that you get free money that can be used to cover your college tuition or other fees such as books, equipment, etc.
Some of the Examples of Grants for Adults Returning to School:
Scholarships are typically awarded based on merit, while grants are available based on financial need. However, it’s common for nonprofits, private companies, and other organizations to use these terms interchangeably. Before dismissing an award based on the term it uses, it’s important to read about it first. You might discover that you’re eligible for the award regardless of how it’s classified.
Federal Grants
The first source and the most reliable source is none other than federal grants. The Federal Pell Grants are available for students who are low income, and single parents or widows are given the utmost attention since these people are included in the at-risk community. The Pell grant is also one of the ‘doors’ to other grant programs.
Patsy Mink Education Support Award
The Patsy Mink Education Support Award offers five scholarships worth $5,000 each to mothers who are at least 17 years old and pursuing any level of postsecondary education, including technical and vocational schools. To qualify, applicants must provide income documentation demonstrating low-income status. Recipients are selected based on financial need, personal circumstances, educational path, vocational or occupational goals, and service or activist goals.
Boomer Benefits Scholarship
The Boomer Benefits Scholarship is available for adults aged 50 or older and awards two scholarships worth $2,500 each annually. To qualify, applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. Additionally, applicants must include a statement describing their career goals and experience with community service.
The Bernard Osher Reentry Scholarship Program
Adults who are returning to college and come from low-income families can start their grant search here. The Osher Foundation provides the grant and scholarships in various universities and colleges across the country. To date, there are 83 universities and colleges supported. For more information please visit the reference link available at the bottom of the post.
The William E. and Phoebe B. Clark Scholarship
If you’re considering going to the Michigan State University, there’s this scholarship available for non-traditional students. Note that adults are considered as non-traditional students too, therefore you may be eligible for this program. The free money is available for those who can demonstrate the financial need, with special attention to single parents and widows.
The American Association of University Women
There are hundreds of grants and other financial aid for women in the US who are pursuing higher education. Some are available to help adult women returning to school.
The Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
If you’re an adult woman returning to school and is more than 35 years old you can seek help from this foundation. The scholarship is available for women who can demonstrate their financial need.
There are many other scholarships and grants available for adults returning to college. You can ask the financial aid office of the college you’re enrolled in if there’s any program suitable for your case. You can also visit association’s websites that are suitable for your current condition (single parents, etc).
Ford Opportunity Program Scholarship
The Ford Opportunity Program Scholarship is to help parents of any age or students aged 25 and older who are pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. To qualify, your expected family contribution (EFC) must not exceed $10,000.
This scholarship covers 90% of the cost of attendance but is only available for residents and students in Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. Each year, up to 96 renewable scholarships are available.
Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award is available to women who are the primary financial support for their dependent children, partner, or other relatives. Eligible recipients could receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $16,000 to cover education-related expenses for undergraduate degrees, including childcare costs.
College JumpStart Scholarship
The College JumpStart Scholarship offers an annual $1,000 award to adult learners based on their merits and accomplishments. The main requirement is a commitment to pursuing higher education and the ability to express educational goals. The application process is straightforward: complete a short form and include a 250-word statement outlining your educational aspirations.
ASIST Scholarship
The Executive Women International Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) scholarship is for adult students experiencing transitions in their lives, whether they are physical, social, or economic. Applicants must participate in a certification program or pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree.
The scholarship award varies from $2,000 to $10,000. To qualify, you must first apply at the local level through one of the organization’s 34 chapters.
Return2College Scholarship
The Return2College Scholarship offers a $1,000 award to individuals aged 17 and above who intend to enroll in the upcoming academic year, with no maximum age limit. To apply, candidates simply need to complete a brief form answering the question, “Why are you pursuing your degree?” in 3 sentences.
Last but not least, we want you to know that getting grants for adults returning to school is possible. So don’t give up on your dreams.
Summary
While scholarships and grants are valuable, they’re just the beginning of potential funding sources. It’s essential to maximize grants for adults returning to school to minimize reliance on student loans, or ideally, avoid them altogether.
You can explore award databases such as Scholarships.com and Fastweb, tailoring your search to your specific criteria. Many schools provide scholarships and grants at the institutional level, and state or local governments may offer funding for adult students as well. Don’t restrict your search to national awards; often, narrowing down your criteria can reveal more opportunities with fewer applicants, increasing your chances of success.
References:
- The Bernard Osher Foundation – http://www.osherfoundation.org/index.php?reentry
- Jeannette Rankin Women Scholarship Fund – https://rankinfoundation.org/?s=Jeannette+Rankin+Women+Scholarship+Fund
- Image: evolllution.com
