15 Scholarships For Adults Over 30 (2023)

Tuition is only getting more expensive every year, and you know what that means.

That’s right—it’s time to buckle down on your scholarship search. A college scholarship and federal student aid can make all the difference when it comes to paying for your education. But what about scholarships for non-traditional college students?

Fortunately, there are scholarships available for every type of student.

You can find scholarships based on every aspect of your identity, from your ethnicity or race to your left-handedness to your age.

In this blow post, we’ll explore over a dozen scholarships available for adult students over 30.

Some require essays and others require you to be in a certain major or going to community college, but they’re all meant for students over 30.

15 Scholarships For Adults Over 30

Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant

Deadline: Feb 17, 2023

This national grant targets students who identify as women or nonbinary, so if you don’t fall under those categories, check out the other scholarships on this list.

The Jeannette Rankin Grant provides “unrestricted non-tuition funding” to qualified applicants who are 35 or older, can demonstrate financial need, and are pursuing higher education.

That can be an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, technical school, or trade school.

You’ll need a letter of recommendation to complete this application. Winners of the grant will be notified by July.

Ford Opportunity Program

Deadline: March 1, 2023

Are you a fan of Ford? Whether you are or not, the Ford Opportunity Program is a fantastic chance for full-time college students over 25 to win funds for their college education.

In the fine print, you’ll notice that you can either be at least 25 years old or a single parent to qualify for this scholarship.

Other eligibility qualifications include studying full-time in Siskiyou County in California or Oregon.

You also must have at least one year left in your associate’s or bachelor’s program. This scholarship award amount is between $1,000 and $40,000, and the application process includes an interview round.

AfterCollege Succurro Scholarship

Deadline: March 31, 2023

The AfterCollege Scholarship is valued at $500. While it isn’t a full-tuition scholarship by any means, the application only takes a few minutes to complete. A few smaller scholarships can add up to your full tuition if you win enough of them!

To qualify for AfterCollege, you need at least a 2.5 GPA and must be currently enrolled in an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate program. The short application includes questions on your personal details, education, work experience, awards, and other skills.

College Jumpstart Scholarship

Deadline: April 15, 2023

Most of this list is need-based scholarships, but the College Jumpstart $1,000 scholarship is completely merit-based.

They’ll be looking at your academic performance and academic achievement as well as your ability to express your goals for getting your degree. Adults learners and nontraditional students often have more of a thoughtful response to questions like these than high school students because you already have some life experience.

This competition is open to traditional and non-traditional students and can be used at any college or university in the United States. The application includes a short personal statement.

Imagine America Foundation

Deadline: Varies

This foundation offers a variety of scholarship opportunities. You’ll have to create a profile on their website to be eligible, and they’re meant for “adult learners with little or no secondary level education.”

You can win up to $1,000 to use toward your education. Ultimately, this scholarship foundation wants to help prepare you for new jobs and career paths, no matter what age.

To technically apply for the scholarships, you’ll need to become an Imagine America member. That means making a profile on their website and filling out your information. The sign-up process is free, so don’t worry about membership fees.

Re-entry Woman Scholarship

Deadline: April 15,2023

This scholarship is for female high school graduates or GEDs without a bachelor’s degree. At $2,000, this is a significant scholarship for students who are at least 23 and have had challenges leading to a non-traditional education path. 

But there is one special qualification. Students must be living or going to school in North San Diego County. Check their website for details.

Altrusa International of Grand Rapids Scholarship

Deadline: March 1, 2023

This scholarship opportunity requires you to fill out one general application for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. After you complete it, you’ll be entered into 80 need-based scholarship opportunities of different amounts.

Special eligibility requirements state that you need to be from Kent, Allegan, Ionia, Ottawa, Montcalm, or Muskegon Counties (6-month residency minimum). Applicants have to be non-traditional students who have been out of school for at least 2 years. The application requires 2 letters of recommendation as well.

SuperCollege Scholarship

Deadline: January 31, 2023

The SuperCollege Scholarship is open to all students to help pay for tuition, books, and other education-related expenses (e.g. transportation, cost of living).

All you have to do is complete their simple application and you’re good to go!

Live Your Dream Award

Deadline: open August 1 – November 15

Staying true to its name, the Live Your Dream Award is up to $16,000 and covers tuition, books, transportation, and childcare. To qualify, you need to provide primary financial support to yourself and any dependents (listed as “children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents”). 

Also, you must demonstrate financial need, be enrolled or accepted into an undergraduates or vocational training program/vocational school, and not have a graduate degree.

Adult Students in Scholastic Transition Scholarship Program

Deadline: Late March

With awards from $2,000 to $10,000, this scholarship program is perfect for applicants “past high school age” who are entering college, trade school, or the workforce for the first time. It’s also meant for non-traditional students who are already enrolled in college or trade school.

Basically, if you’re receiving training for your job or to further your career, this is the program for you.

Osher Reentry Scholarship Program

Deadline: Annually Mid-November

Here we have another huge scholarship that’s up to $50,000 a year.

This scholarship foundation is looking for students who have “experienced an interruption in their education of five or more years and who want to resume their education at the undergraduate level.”

These funds are meant for students between 25 and 50. The application requires a personal essay, proof of enrollment and unofficial transcripts.

Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

Deadline: March 1 annually

This scholarship was made for (you guessed it!) non-traditional students.

At $2,000, this scholarship will make a dent in tuition or other education costs.

But there are specific eligibility criteria you’ll need to meet (according to their website):

1. Applicants must be:
2. A current member of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion, must have held membership for the two preceding years, and be a paid member for the current membership year.
3. Applicants must be:
4. a non-traditional student returning to the classroom after some period in which their formal education was interrupted, OR
5. a non-traditional student beginning their education at a later point in life.
6. American Legion Auxiliary Spirit of Youth Scholarship recipients are not eligible.
7. Applicants must present the completed application to their local American Legion Auxiliary unit president ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1.

Return2College

Deadline: January 31, 2023

Of all the scholarship essays you’ll write, this is the shortest.

The Return2College scholarship is for U.S. citizens starting a higher education program in 12 months as a full- or part-time student.

And the essay is only 3 sentences! Which means you can win $1,000 with barely a paragraph.

George Snow Scholarship Fund

Deadline: Varies

This scholarship fund has many opportunities available at different values. Some opportunities are for single parents. Others are for students studying Social Work, Psychology, or Behavioral Health. 

For these scholarships, you’ll need to demonstrate financial need and be a resident of Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County.

“Mom to Scholar” Scholarship for Mothers

Deadline: January 31, 2023

This $1,000 scholarship is for mothers who are 35 or older.

You’ll need to demonstrate financial need and attend a two-year, four-year, trade, or technical college.

The application includes an essay and proof of enrollment in your program.

P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education

Deadline: Not Posted

Though this scholarship has many eligibility requirements posted on the website, $3,000 is worth the reading.

To qualify, you’ll need to be recommended by a local P.E.O chapter and be enrolled in a certification or degree program.

You’ll need to have at least 2 consecutive years as a nonstudent at some point in your adult life, have 18 months (at most) left of your program, and be enrolled in a program that will advance your job.

Check their website for information about local chapter nominations.

Final Thoughts: Scholarships For Adults Over 30

When you’re a non-traditional student, it can feel like there are a million obstacles between you and your education, one of the biggest being money.

There are so many scholarships meant for you high school seniors, it might seem like there’s nothing out there for adult students over 30.

But by now you know there are at least 15 scholarships out there for you. Certain scholarships foundations exist solely to fund your education as your reenter college or attend for the first time.

Now that you know they’re out there, you can secure thousands of dollars to make your dreams of higher education possible.

Beyond scholarships you can fill out the free application on the FAFSA to help fund your application. Financial assistance is often available for undergraduate students in the form of student loans or things like pell grants/federal pell grant.

Every dollar you’re granted to cover your education that you don’t have to pay back is truly a blessing.

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