Finishing your education is one of the best investments you can make. No one can ever take your degree once you have it, and college graduates consistently earn more, face lower unemployment and even bounce back more quickly from economic downturns.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates with bachelor’s degrees have on average 84% higher income than those who have a high school diploma.. Finishing your degree can feel daunting if you’re financially struggling or living paycheck to paycheck. But going back to school is both possible and worth it. Scholarships for adult students can transform your life by reducing college stress and helping you complete your education.
Here’s everything you need to know about scholarships for busy adults:
College Scholarship Basics
A scholarship is an exceptionally good option for paying for school because you don’t have to pay it back. Once the money is in your account, it’s yours to keep. And with so many scholarships available, you don’t have to be a perfect student to get one.
In general, to be eligible for a scholarship, you have to fill out an application that might include personal or financial information. After you’re awarded the scholarship, you might have to meet requirements to continue receiving it each semester. If you fail to meet these requirements, you won't have to pay the money back, but you won’t be able to continue getting the scholarship.
Scholarships generally fall into two categories:
- Need-based scholarships: These scholarships require you to demonstrate financial need. In some cases, anyone who can demonstrate financial need is eligible. In other, financial need is just one of several eligibility requirements.
- Merit-based scholarships: These scholarships require you to meet achievement or merit requirements. This might mean hitting a certain GPA or standardized test score or achieving other goals, such as volunteering, participating in a civic organization, writing an essay or demonstrating talent in some other way.
Can Adults Get College Scholarships?
Most scholarships have no specific age requirements, so anyone is eligible. However, there might be other eligibility requirements that can make scholarships less accessible to adult learners. For example, you might have to have a certain GPA or standardized test score or need recommendations from a teacher. If you haven’t attended school in recent years, this can narrow the availability of scholarships. That's why you need to start the search early and get financial aid support. SNU offers numerous financial aid resources that can help.
Scholarships for Adult Students
A handful of scholarships cater specifically to adult students. Some examples include:
- Adult Skills Education Program Scholarship
- Adult Students in Scholastic Transition
- Working Parent College Scholarship Award
- College JumpStart Scholarship
- Courage to Grow Scholarship
- Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
- Custody X Change Single Parent Scholarship
- Ford ReStart Program Scholarship
SNU Scholarships
SNU offers a number of scholarships to our students. In fact, most of our students get some form of financial aid to attend school. The specific scholarships for which you are eligible depend on many factors. Contact our financial aid office for guidance.
Other Options
Thousands of scholarships are available. With some ingenuity and a willingness to search for the best options, some students find that they can fund their entire education by cobbling together several scholarships. This is a great option because you don't have to repay scholarships and may not need to submit the detailed financial information that comes with a loan.
Your personal and professional connections are an excellent starting point as you begin your search for the right combination of scholarships. To find a scholarship that suits your needs, try the following:
- Ask your employer if they have any educational benefits, such as employee scholarships or tuition reimbursement. Get clear, written details about application eligibility.
- Contact local civic organizations to ask about scholarship options.
- If you belong to a professional, civic or volunteer organization, find out if they offer educational benefits for members.
- Do you know what career you hope to enter? Often, organizations related to your chosen career offer scholarship assistance. Contact organizations related to your career path.
- Do you have a talent or hobby? Volunteer work, writing acumen and other skills and prior experiences may make you eligible for a host of scholarships, so be sure to spend some time online searching out scholarships that play to your strengths.
- Are you a member of a faith community? Many churches and religious organizations offer scholarships. They may also provide additional resources to help you plan your return to college.
- Are you a soldier or veteran? Don’t forget about your VA benefits, which may fund all or a significant portion of the costs of returning to school.
Grants and Aid
Many students will need additional funding to pay their tuition costs. And even if you get enough funding to cover tuition, you might need help with other expenses, such as childcare, supplies, transportation or housing.
A range of student aid options can fund these expenses. The most popular include:
- Subsidized government loans: These loans come from the Department of Education, which pays the interest while you attend school. Eligibility is primarily based on need.
- Unsubsidized private loans: Private loans come from a bank and typically have credit requirements. You will accumulate interest while you’re in school.
- Grants: Federal grants can help cover part of the cost of tuition based on need. You may also be eligible for private grants.
Access to most forms of student aid begins with completing a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA®) online. No matter what type of aid you choose, you may have to meet eligibility requirements before applying or maintain eligibility after your award to be eligible for future student aid awards.
Making College Affordable: How to Fund Your Education
For many students, combining several funding options is the best way to pay for college. You might get a scholarship, max out subsidized loan options, and apply for an unsubsidized loan to make up the difference or pay for additional expenses such as childcare.
Our financial aid office can address your financial aid concerns and answer questions about how much debt you can safely take on, how to get loans, how to fill out your FAFSA and more. Veterans can also access our innovative VETS Center, which can help maximize VA education benefits.
SNU offers flexible options tailored to the unique needs of returning and adult learners. Want to explore your potential degree paths? Check out our free guide, “What to Expect from an Online Degree Program.”
