17 Scholarships For Adults Returning To School in 2025

The thought of going back to school as an adult can be overwhelming, especially if you have work and family responsibilities to consider. You also know that higher education can be expensive. Fortunately, there are many scholarships for working adults that can reduce your financial burden as you work toward your degree.

If you want to learn more about the scholarships for adults returning to school, keep reading. Below, we'll look at some of the top options available and answer some related questions you may have about getting financial aid as an adult learner.

17 Scholarships For Adults Returning To College

Various organizations offer financial assistance for adults, single parents, and other nontraditional college students. Read on to learn about 17 of the best scholarships for adults returning to college.

1. Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship

The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation provides scholarships for mothers who are at least 17 years old. Applicants must demonstrate significant financial need, be pursuing their first degree or program after high school, and have minor children.

The scholarship is available on a yearly basis, with the application period typically running through the summer. Upcoming deadline and application process information will be available in May 2025.

Award Amount: $5,000

Deadline: TBA

2. Return2College Scholarship

The Return2College Scholarship is available to any U.S. citizen or legal resident enrolled in or planning to enroll in a postsecondary program of study. There are few eligibility requirements but no age limits, besides applicants being at least 17 years old.

They may enroll as full-time or part-time students. When completing the application, you will be asked to submit a three-sentence essay answering the question, ''Why are you getting your degree?'' Students are welcome to complete more than one scholarship application if they have multiple reasons for getting their degrees.

Award Amount: $1,000

Deadline: April 30, 2025

3. Imagine America Adult Learner Scholarships

The Imagine America Adult Learner Scholarship is designed for returning students planning to attend career colleges. As one of several scholarships for adults returning to school, this program helps adults over 19 years old afford training that can help them pursue specific careers or advance to high-paying roles.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, demonstrate financial need, and attend a partner career school. They must also not have been previously awarded any other scholarship through the Imagine America Foundation.

Award Amount: $1,000

Deadline: Unknown

4. Alpha Sigma Lambda Scholarships

These college scholarships for adults are available to students attending any school with an active Alpha Sigma Lambda chapter. Though students don't have to be members of the chapter, they should be working toward an associate or bachelor's degree, have at least a 3.2 GPA, and have financial need.

Students must apply through their local Alpha Sigma Lambda chapter. Those who complete their application packets on their own will not be considered.

Award Amount: up to $3,000

Deadline: April 18, 2025

5. Ford Family Scholarships

These scholarships are available to high school seniors as well as adults and parents returning to school. To be eligible, you must live in Oregon or Siskiyou County, California.

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of their application. They must also submit transcripts from any schools they have attended in the past 10 years and complete three personal statements.

Award Amount: up to $40,000 a year

Deadline: March 3, 2026

6. SuperCollege Scholarship

The SuperCollege Scholarships for students returning to college are available to all enrollees, regardless of age or degree level. Current high school students, college students, and nontraditional adult learners are all welcome to apply.

Students may only apply once per application period. Those who win the scholarship may use the funds to pay for any college-related expenses.

Award Amount: $1,000

Deadline: March 31, 2025

7. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards

Soroptimist provides these scholarships for parents returning to college; in particular, it is available for women who provide the primary financial support for themselves and their dependents. These women must be pursuing an undergraduate degree program or career training and have financial need.

The application opens on August 1 and closes on November 15 each year. Scholarship winners can use the funds to pay for tuition, books, transportation, or childcare.

Award Amount: up to $16,000

Deadline: November 15, 2025

8. Athena Adult Scholarships

These scholarships for continuing education are available to women over age 25 in Eastern Ontario, Seneca, and Yates Counties in New York. Those pursuing associate degrees through doctoral programs, as well as certificates and career training, are eligible to apply.

Scholarship money from the awards can be used for any school-related expenses. This includes childcare, transportation, or technology costs in addition to tuition and fees.

Award Amount: $1,500

Deadline: June 1, 2025

9. Boomer Benefits Scholarship

This is one of only a few college scholarships for older adults available. The program is specifically designed for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 50 years old.

Applicants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and have a GPA of at least 3.0. They must also submit letters of recommendation and personal statements.

Award Amount: $2,500

Deadline: August 27, 2025

10. Royal Neighbors Scholarship Program

The Royal Neighbors Scholarship Program is available for anyone over age 16 who owns an annuity with or is insured by Royal Neighbors. The scholarship can be used to pursue education at a college, university, or trade school.

The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, but students must reapply each year. Applicants must submit transcripts with a GPA of 2.5 or better. If they have been out of school for more than 10 years, these students should demonstrate a strong work history.

Award Amount: varies

Deadline: January 1, 2026

11. Horatio Alger Association Career & Technical Education Scholarship

The Horatio Alger Association provides several career and technical education scholarships. These awards help students with financial needs pursue vocational training at approved community colleges and trade schools.

For each scholarship, students must be under 35 years old, be U.S. citizens, and show household incomes of under $65,000 a year. Award amounts and deadlines vary depending on the specific scholarship in question.

Award Amount: varies

Deadline: varies

12. HOPE Scholarship

The HOPE Scholarship is a merit-based program available to U.S. citizens who are residents of Georgia. Though typically awarded to recent high school graduates, residents maintain eligibility for the scholarship up to 10 years after high school.

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better to receive this scholarship. Award amounts vary from student to student, and funds are meant to be used to cover tuition costs.

Award Amount: varies

Deadline: September 1, 2025

13. Unigo $10K Scholarship

The Unigo 10K Scholarship is a great way for anyone over age 14 to earn some good money toward college. Students are asked to answer the following questions in 250 words: ''Would you rather be smart, funny or rich? Why?''

There are no age maximums and few eligibility requirements. Students must be legal U.S. residents and reside anywhere in the U.S. to apply for the scholarship.

Award Amount: $10,000

Deadline: December 31, 2025

14. Brave of Heart Scholarship

The Brave of Heart Scholarship provides awards to children of frontline healthcare workers who lost their lives to COVID-19 related causes. Though the age limit is 26, adults who first receive this scholarship by age 26 may reapply to continue receiving funding as long as they maintain continuous enrollment through graduation.

Students must enroll full-time or part-time in a career training or degree program and must have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Nontraditional students are encouraged to apply for the scholarship.

Award Amount: up to $200,000

Deadline: April 21, 2025

15. Women's Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)

This scholarship for adults returning to college is specifically designed for female survivors of domestic abuse. Preference is given to mothers with young children and those pursuing their first degree or a vocational training program.

Applicants must demonstrate critical financial need and have a plan in place to use academic or career training to pursue career advancement. Students must also agree to be sponsored by a nonprofit agency from which they have received support services.

Award Amount: up to $2,000 per semester

Deadline: November 1, 2025

16. American Legion Auxiliary Nontraditional Student Scholarship

The American Legion Auxiliary Nontraditional Student Scholarship is for current American Legion members, veterans, and spouses of veterans or active-duty servicemembers. It provides funds for adults returning to their education after it was interrupted or pursuing education for the first time later in life.

Scholarship selections are made based on financial need, academic achievement, career plans, and strength of character. Students can pursue or be planning to pursue either career or academic programs.

Award Amount: $2,000

Deadline: March 1, 2026

17. Osher Scholars and Fellows Program

The Osher Scholars and Fellows Program provides funding for reentry students, which is defined as students who are returning to school after their educational experiences were interrupted. Students are encouraged to apply for these scholarships through their college or university.

Students must demonstrate financial need and have a gap in education of at least five years. Most students are between ages 25 and 50, and up to $50,000 per year may be awarded, depending on various factors.

Award Amount: up to $50,000

Deadline: varies

Other Financial Aid for Adult Learners Going Back to School

Though scholarships can make school more affordable, they rarely cover all of your expenses. Fortunately, there are other options available to help students pay for their education programs.

The FAFSA is one of the best ways to secure need-based funds like the Pell Grant, work-study programs, and student loans. There are no age restrictions, so FAFSA for adults going back to college is an ideal way to cover school expenses.

Some schools, governments, and nonprofit organizations also offer grants for adults going back to college. These need-based awards are similar to scholarships in that they don't have to be paid back.

Finally, if you have a job, check if your employer offers tuition assistance or reimbursement as a benefit. If so, your company may pay for some or all of your education and may even entitle you to discounts at certain partner schools.

Find an Affordable College Degree

If you're ready to go back to school for your graduate or undergraduate degree, check out the colleges featured here on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools to learn more about their programs and available scholarships for adults returning to college and find the right program for you.