Explore 15 Non Traditional Student Scholarships in 2025

Discover the top Non Traditional Student Scholarships. Are you a single parent balancing work and studies, a veteran looking to further your education, or someone returning to school after a long break? Non-traditional students face unique challenges in their academic journeys, but scholarships tailored to their needs can make a world of difference. Examine the requirements and recipients of scholarships such as Lou Ellen Dabbs, George Snow, Walmart Associate, and many more.

Many people take a few detours on their way to earning a college degree, frequently as a result of shifting priorities in their lives, having to work full-time, or having limited funds. The good news is that there are amazing non traditional student scholarships available to assist students in achieving their academic objectives and bridging the financial gap. This guide highlights 15 scholarships designed specifically for non-traditional students and provides insights into how to secure them.

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Who Are Non-Traditional Students?

Non-traditional students are individuals whose educational paths differ from the typical high-school-to-college progression. They are a diverse group, often balancing various responsibilities alongside their studies. This group includes:

Adults aged 25 or older who have returned to school after a break.
Students who study part-time while managing work, family, or other obligations.
Professionals seeking new qualifications or transitioning into a different field.
Former service members pursuing education to transition into civilian careers.
Parents who juggle education with providing for their families.
Students leverage flexible learning modes to accommodate other commitments.

These students often face unique challenges, such as time management, financial constraints, and balancing multiple roles, making scholarships and support crucial to their success.

Why Non Traditional Student Scholarships Matter

Non Traditional Student Scholarships play a pivotal role in creating equitable access to education, ensuring that individuals with unique circumstances can pursue their academic and career goals. Scholarships help level the playing field, enabling these students to pursue education, acquire new skills, and achieve career growth without undue financial strain. Here are key reasons why non traditional student scholarships matter:

Financial Relief: Many non-traditional students have financial obligations, such as supporting families or repaying loans. Scholarships reduce the financial strain, enabling them to focus on their studies.
Encouraging Career Advancement: Scholarships provide an opportunity for career growth by helping students gain qualifications for better job prospects or new career paths.
Promoting Diversity in Education: Non-traditional students bring diverse perspectives and experiences to academic environments, enriching the learning process for everyone.
Reducing Barriers: By covering tuition, books, or other expenses, scholarships lower barriers that might otherwise discourage non-traditional students from pursuing higher education.
Empowering Lifelong Learning: Scholarships emphasize that education is a lifelong journey, supporting individuals who choose to return to school later in life.

Top Non Traditional Student Scholarships in 2025

Many of us go back to school later in life, either to complete a degree or for the first time. Scholarships for non-traditional students like you are abundant. This manual explores non-traditional student scholarship opportunities and qualifying requirements that can aid in returning to school after a hiatus or even with certain groups, such as single parents. Let’s look at everything from scholarships for future teachers to financial aid for Walmart workers.

1. American Legion Auxiliary Non-traditional Student Scholarship

Eligibility: Adult students seeking higher education are eligible.
Scholarship Grant: $1000

Sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, this nontraditional student scholarship acknowledges the particular difficulties experienced by adult learners who want to further their education. This scholarship offers financial assistance to help you achieve your learning goals, whether you are taking a short or extended gap year. These non-traditional student scholarships fund non-traditional students’ academic endeavors by providing funding to members of the American Legion, the AL Auxiliary, or the Sons of the American Legion.

2. Walmart Associate Scholarship

Eligibility: Open to Walmart workers looking to advance their careers
Scholarship Award: between $500 and $1500 for each degree program

You are a member of a workforce at Walmart committed to helping communities across the country. The non-traditional student scholarships recognize your dedication to your studies and career. This scholarship provides funding to support your academic objectives, whether you wish to advance within the company or look for new chances outside of it. It enables you to balance your job and study while investing in your future, with incentives ranging from $500 to $1500 for each degree course.

3. Association for Non-traditional Students in Higher Education

Eligibility: Committed to adult learners seeking higher education degrees
Scholarship Award: Depends on financial need and academic performance.

The purpose of the ANTSHE scholarship programs is to assist adult learners in overcoming the obstacles associated with pursuing higher education. ANTSHE acknowledges the varied needs and goals of non-traditional students by providing scholarships like the Contributors Scholarship, the Kazimour Scholarship, and the Marius “Gabe” Degabriel Scholarship. If your professional career is stagnant, this is one of the best non traditional student scholarships.

4. Osher Reentry Scholarship Program

Eligibility: Designed for students who have interrupted their studies and are returning
Scholarship Award: Based on financial need, the amount varies.

Although going back to school after a break can be daunting, the Osher Reentry Scholarship Program aims to make it more affordable for non-traditional students. This award, which is sponsored by the Bernard Osher Foundation, is intended especially for students whose college education has been disrupted for at least five years. This non-traditional student scholarships provides financial assistance to help you continue your education if you are a student at a collaborating college or university and are between the ages of 25 and 50.

5. Adult Students in Scholastic Transition Scholarship

Eligibility: Targeting those who are currently enrolled in a program at a college, university, or trade school.
Award for Scholarship: $1000 to $2500

The ASIST program of Executive Women International honors the perseverance of adult learners who are past high school age. One of the best non traditional student scholarships. Whether you are a single parent, a separated housewife, or a first-time employee, this award provides beneficial support. ASIST gives non-traditional students the tools they need to build better futures for themselves and their families by awarding 150 scholarships a year.

6. Early Childhood Educators Scholarship

Eligibility: Those presently pursuing an early childhood education degree are eligible for this award.
Scholarship Award: The amount given out could change.

If you’re currently enrolled in a program focused on early childhood education, this non traditional student scholarships could be your gateway to doing wonders in your life. Additionally, you can apply for more than one funding opportunity with a single application because the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois has streamlined the application process for 80 scholarships, including this one. Don’t pass up the opportunity to make an investment in your future as an early childhood teacher.

7. Mothers of Multiples Club Scholarships

Eligibility: This award is offered to individuals who are mothers of multiples (twins, triplets, etc.) and are presently enrolled in college or about to complete high school. Applicants should not be linked with a Mothers of Multiples club.
Award for Scholarship: $250 to $1,500

All mothers in need who live in Clark County, Nevada, and Southern California will benefit from this scholarship! This scholarship is intended to assist you in your academic endeavors if you are pursuing higher education while balancing the demands of raising multiple children. These non traditional student scholarships, which range in value from $250 to $1,500, acknowledge the difficulties you encounter and seek to offer financial support to enable you to fulfill your academic goals.

8. Constance L. Goode Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility: African American students in Illinois who are either current high school seniors or enrolled in college are eligible for this scholarship. A GPA of at least 2.5 is required of applicants.
The scholarship award is not determined by need. The applicant’s essay and capacity to effect change in their community are instead taken into account by the awarding committee.

You may be able to change the world with the Dr. Constance L. Goode Memorial Scholarship. Regardless of whether you are a senior in high school with aspirations to become an educator or a college student already pursuing a teaching degree, this award recognizes your capacity to positively impact your community. You can improve your chances of receiving funding to support your college education by applying for one of the many non traditional student scholarships available from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.

9. Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest

Eligibility: This essay competition is open to seniors in high school who have been impacted by Alzheimer’s disease in some way. In addition to submitting a 1,200–1,500 word essay, students must plan to continue their education after graduation.
Scholarship Award: $500 – $5,000

Seniors in high school, if Alzheimer’s has had any impact on your life, you might be eligible for financial assistance to help pay for your college education. Through the Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest, you have the opportunity to offer your ideas and personal connection to Alzheimer’s in the essay. Your words could not only raise awareness but also earn you a non traditional student scholarship ranging from $500 to $5,000. Many individuals are affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and want to pursue their further studies. Scholarships are given recognition to these persons with ADHD who encounter specific hurdles.

10. Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program

Eligibility: The spouses or children of road workers killed or injured in work-related accidents are eligible to apply. Students must be admitted to a vocational school or post-secondary educational institution.
Scholarship Award: Up to $10,000, with an additional $1,000 depending on the individual.

If you’re a dependent of a roadway worker who has been injured or died while working, the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program is here to help your educational path considered one of the best non traditional student scholarships. This scholarship program is designed to help nontraditional students with the costs of attending college. Additionally, you could receive an extra $1,000 to help with your school costs if you show that you are dedicated to volunteering.

11. George Snow Scholarship Fund

Eligibility: Assists single parents in Florida’s Palm Beach and Broward counties.
Scholarship Award: The amount is determined by the student’s financial situation and the available funds.

The George Snow Scholarship Fund is committed to helping single parents in Florida’s Palm Beach and Broward counties. The foundation offers worthy South Florida students financial aid and other services while remaining steadfast in its opposition to racial inequity. In addition to offering scholarships, it helps each student navigate college and makes sure they get the support they require to be successful. It dedicated $4.4 million to non-traditional student scholarships and programs for 310 scholars in its 41st year.

12. Women’s Independence Scholarship Program

Eligibility: Encourages survivors of domestic violence to pursue education to become independent.
Scholarship Award: Variable amount

The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program is a glimmer of hope for victims of domestic violence who want to escape the cycle of violence and become independent through education. These non traditional student scholarships for female students provide financial aid to help you on your path to a better future, regardless of whether you decide to attend private universities, state-subsidized community colleges, or vocational schools. Women’s financial stability is crucial because they continue to struggle for fundamental human rights.

13. LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship

Eligibility: Any single parent, male or female, who demonstrates exceptional academic accomplishment, financial need, and current enrollment at Holyoke Community College is eligible for the grant.
Scholarship Award: Pays for tuition in full.

The LouEllen Dabbs Scholarship honors the tenacity and will of single parents who want to work in business, banking, or finance by providing essential support. Candidates must meet single-parent requirements, maintain a minimum GPA, and be enrolled in related programs. This non-traditional student scholarships aims to enable single parents to succeed in subjects essential to economic development, not only by providing financial aid.

14. Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship

Eligibility: Helps Arkansas’s single parents.
Scholarship Award: Amount based on financial need

Supporting single parents who want to pursue higher education and better-paying careers is the mission of the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF). Understanding the connection between education and financial security, ASPSF offers single parents enrolled in technical or college programs both financial assistance and one-on-one support. By funding their education through non traditional student scholarships, ASPSF hopes to end Arkansas’s poverty cycle and enable single parents to build better futures for their families and themselves.

15. Katie McDonald Scholarship

Eligibility: Candidates must have Down syndrome and be working toward a college degree, job training, or education.
Scholarship Award: The $500 Tiffany Diamond Memorial award and two $2,500 scholarships.

One of the non traditional student scholarships is available for those with Down syndrome who wish to continue their education, attend college, or receive job training, there is the Katie McDonald Scholarship. This award recognizes your potential and provides funding to assist you in achieving your objectives. There are two $2,500 scholarships available: one for college or graduate school and the other for post-high school job training. Siblings with Down syndrome are also eligible for this unconventional scholarship.

FAQs on Non Traditional Student Scholarships

What qualifies someone as a non-traditional student?
A non-traditional student is typically older than 25, studying part-time, or returning to education after a gap. They may also include single parents, career changers, military veterans, or individuals pursuing education through non-traditional pathways like online learning.
Are there scholarships exclusively for single parents?
Yes, many organizations provide scholarships specifically for single parents. Programs like the Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation or Raise the Future help single parents cover tuition, childcare, and other education-related expenses.
How can veterans find scholarships tailored to them?
Veterans can explore scholarships like the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship, or local veteran assistance programs. Military-focused organizations and institutions often provide funding to ease their transition into civilian careers.
Can non-traditional students apply for graduate-level scholarships?
Absolutely. Many scholarships, like the Ford Foundation Fellowship or P.E.O. Scholar Awards, cater specifically to graduate-level non-traditional students. Researching eligibility criteria is key to finding the right opportunities.
What is the best way to stand out in scholarship applications?
To stand out, emphasize your unique story and resilience. Highlight how your experiences align with the scholarship’s mission. Personalize your application with a compelling essay, strong letters of recommendation, and proof of academic or community achievements.

These scholarships are a great illustration of the range of choices available to non-traditional students, single parents, individuals in unique circumstances, and those dedicated to bettering their communities. Regardless of your history or challenges, keep in mind that there are numerous non traditional student scholarships available to help you succeed. Seize the opportunity and let these scholarships act as stepping stones to your success.