by May Plaige

Created on: February 02, 2009

If you're over 22 and returning to college or entering college for the first time, you are considered a non-traditional student. Although the non-traditional title of returning students is fading fast as more and more adults return to school after years in the workforce, for scholarship-searching purposes, you are considered non-traditional. As a non-traditional student you may find that locating scholarships is much more difficult than it would be if you had just recently come out of high school. You don't have the same resources as someone who has been in school recently, and many scholarships are geared toward current high school and college students. Where can you look for scholarships just for you?

Actually, you can look just about anywhere. Just as traditional students do, you can create accounts on FastWeb.com and Scholarships.com, and fill out your profile such that it is clear that you are a non-traditional student. The sites will only display scholarships which you are eligible for, weeding out the scholarships which are only offered to traditional students.

In addition to these sites, you will want to search for scholarships specific to your area of study or career which may not be on FastWeb's and Scholarships.com's listings. Ask your employer, company, or organizations related to your career field or field of study if they offer any scholarships, or even if they will cover tuition costs if you are pursuing a degree which will contribute to your workplace.

Still looking? Try taking a look at the following scholarships just for non-traditional students by doing a quick internet search:

Adult Student in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Scholarship

AAIA Displaced Homemaker Scholarship

Charles R. Ford Scholarship

Kazimour Scholarship

American Legion's The Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

"Leading the Future" Scholarship

The Rogins/Braswell National Scholarship

Datatel Scholars Foundation Returning Student Scholarship

Royal Neighbors of America, Nontraditional Scholarships

Wal-Mart Higher REACH Scholarships

BPW Foundation's Career Advancement Scholarship

EFWA (Accounting) Women in Transition (WIT) Scholarship

Talbot's Women's Scholarship Fund

Jeanette Rankin Foundation (Grants to low-income women over 35)

Linda Lael Miller Scholarship

P.E.O Program for Continuing Education

R.T.N Scholarship for Continuing Education

Soroptimist's Women's Opportunity Awards

LULAC Council 605 Endowed Scholarships

The R.C. and Elizabeth Hoppe Memorial Scholarship Fund

Hispanic Leadership Council Scholarship Awards

Jean and Curly Hays Scholarship Fund

CFA Public Health Scholarship for Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing

Business and Professional Women Foundation Career Advancement Scholarships

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Program

North Iowa Community Scholarship for Adult Students

Abilene Branch - American Association of University Women

Providence College's School of Continuing Education Scholarships

University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Office of Adult Students and Evening Services)

Sources:

http://www.acu.edu/admissions/adult/payforeducation/ scholarships.html

http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/non- traditional.htm

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