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Scholarships for Adult Learners & Returning Students

Only awards whose official eligibility specifically names adult learners & returning students are listed here (15 right now). Most of our 367 open scholarships are open to everyone, so check those too.

Updated

Scholarships

9 days left

KC Scholars Adult Learner College Scholarship

Up to $25,000 over up to six years, paid to the college · Great Jobs KC (KC Scholars) · Adult learners

Kansas City-area adults 24 or older with a high school diploma or GED, living in Wyandotte County or Johnson County, Kansas, or Cass County, Clay County, Jackson County or Platte County, Missouri; FAFSA Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less; no prior bachelor's degree. Used at KC Scholars network colleges for an associate degree, bachelor's degree or credit-bearing credential. U.S. citizenship not required.

Application opened Oct 20, 2026 and closes Nov 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CT; awards announced Feb 12, 2027. About 150 awards of up to $12,500 per year.
MOKS
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Last verified Nov 3, 2026
10 days left

Arizona BPW Foundation Scholarship (Spring 2027)

Varies (paid to the community college) · Arizona Business and Professional Women's Foundation · Adult learners (women)

Women 19 or older who are Arizona residents returning to school at an Arizona community college for better job opportunities or career advancement. Recipients attend one foundation event per year.

Spring 2027 application deadline Nov 21, 2026. Mailed applications only (PO Box 32596, Phoenix, AZ 85064).
AZ
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Last verified Oct 19, 2026
90 days left

Boreal Waters Community Foundation Scholarships

Varies (more than $800,000 awarded each year) · Boreal Waters Community Foundation · High school senior / college / adult

Students of all ages in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin (high school seniors, college students and adult learners) heading to a college, university, community or technical college.

Applications open Dec 1, 2026; deadline Feb 9, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Notifications by April 30, 2027.
MNWI
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Last verified Oct 17, 2026
93 days left

Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant

Varies · Jeannette Rankin Foundation · Adult learners (women 35+)

Low-income women age 35 or older pursuing technical or vocational education, a first associate degree or a first bachelor's degree at an accredited nonprofit U.S. school.

Application and both recommendation letters due Feb 12, 2027.
Trade school
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Last verified Oct 15, 2026
96 days left

Connex Foundation Skilled Trades Scholarship

Up to $5,000 · Connex Foundation · High school senior, trade student or adult

High school seniors, college and graduate students, adult re-entry, career/technical and veteran students in the U.S. or Canada pursuing licensed skilled trades (electrical, plumbing, welding, HVAC/R), construction management or facilities management.

Deadline 11:59 p.m. CT, Monday, Feb 15, 2027; decisions after May 15, 2027.
Electrical & LineworkerPlumbingWeldingHVAC/RConstructionTrade school
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Last verified Oct 17, 2026
110 days left

American Legion Auxiliary Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

$2,000 (five awards, one per division) · American Legion Auxiliary · Adult learner

Non-traditional students pursuing training in a certified, trade, professional or technical program, or a two- or four-year degree (see ALA rules for membership requirements).

Closes March 1 each year.
Military / ROTC
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Last verified Oct 17, 2026

Today's pick: Lea County Electric Cooperative Education Foundation Scholarship ($8,000 (one-time), due Jan 15, 2027). See past picks.

110 days left

Ford Opportunity Program

Renewable award of up to $40,000 a year (based on need) · The Ford Family Foundation · Adult learners / student parents

Oregon or Siskiyou County, California, parents of any age (especially single parents) and adult learners over 25 who aren't parents.

Applications open Dec 1, 2026; due March 1, 2027.
ORCA
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Last verified Oct 19, 2026
110 days left

GFWC Massachusetts Woman Returning to School Scholarship (Undergraduate)

Starting at $500 · GFWC Massachusetts (General Federation of Women's Clubs) · Adult learners (women returning to school)

Massachusetts women returning to undergraduate study after an absence from school of at least four years.

Application must be postmarked by March 1, 2027; includes a 500-word personal statement. A separate graduate version has the same deadline.
MA
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Last verified Oct 26, 2026
114 days left

Foundation For The Carolinas Scholarships

Varies by fund (150+ scholarships) · Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) · High school senior / undergraduate / graduate / adult learner

High school seniors, graduate students and non-traditional students; each of the 150+ funds sets its own criteria (many are for students in the Charlotte region of North and South Carolina).

2027–28 application cycle opens Dec 1, 2026 and runs through March 5, 2027.
NCSC
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Last verified Oct 17, 2026
152 days left

The Matteson Scholarship

Up to $4,000 per year for four years ($16,000 total) · Matteson Scholarship (Southeastern Iowa) · High school senior / college / adult / trade

Students and working adults living in Lee, Des Moines or Henry County, Iowa, studying agriculture, health/medical sciences, nursing, engineering, information technology or a trade.

2027 first-time application opens Jan 11, 2027 and closes April 12, 2027 (renewals Dec 1, 2026 – March 1, 2027).
AgricultureHealthNursing & HealthEngineeringComputer ScienceIANursing & Healthcare (CNA/LPN)Trade school
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Last verified Oct 17, 2026
155 days left

BPW/Maine Futurama Foundation Scholarships for Maine Women

$3,000 (four awards) · BPW/Maine Futurama Foundation (with the Maine Community Foundation) · High school senior / undergraduate / graduate / adult learner

Maine women with financial need. Four awards: a high school senior/GED recipient, a woman in her second year or later of college, a woman enrolled in or returning to college or training (graduate study gets special consideration), and a Career Advancement award for women 30 or older returning to school full- or part-time.

Applications accepted beginning Jan 1, 2027; deadline April 15, 2027.
ME
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Last verified Oct 26, 2026
202 days left

Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Scholarships (Adult Learners)

Varies by fund · Community Foundation of Greater Memphis · Adult learners

Adult learners, mostly from Shelby County, Tennessee, attending an accredited two- or four-year college or a vocational/technical school. Each fund sets its own criteria.

2027 application opens Jan 15, 2027; deadline for adult learners June 1, 2027.
TN
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Last verified Oct 19, 2026
231 days left

Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship

Covers the remaining gap between federal/state grants and tuition plus qualified fees · Iowa Department of Education (Iowa College Aid) · High school senior or adult

Iowa residents who recently finished an Iowa high school diploma, homeschool or HSED, or adults 20 and older, enrolled at least part-time in an eligible high-demand certificate, diploma or associate degree program.

FAFSA deadline for the 2026–27 school year is June 30, 2027.
IANo essayTrade school
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Last verified Oct 17, 2026
Next cycle not yet published

M.J. Foster Promise Program

$3,200 per award year ($1,600 per semester) · Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) · Adult learners (21+)

Louisiana adults (new applicants must be at least 21) enrolling in short-term credential or associate programs aligned to high-demand, high-wage occupations in Louisiana's workforce priorities.

Applications for 2026–27 are open through the academic year; funding is first-come, first-billed, so apply early.
LATrade school
Official site Last verified Oct 17, 2026
Open year-round

Maine Community Foundation Adult Learner Scholarship

Most awards $200 to $1,200 · Maine Community Foundation · Adult learners

Maine adults pursuing higher education or short-term credentials (for example a CNA course), whether for the first time or returning.

Short-term (credential) applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; use the long-term application for programs of a semester or longer.
MENursing & Healthcare (CNA/LPN)Trade school
Apply on official site Needs an essay? Use the toolkitLast verified Oct 17, 2026

Federal aid has no age limit

The Pell Grant and federal student loans have no upper age limit; eligibility is based on financial need and enrollment, not age. On the 2027–28 FAFSA you count as an independent student if you were born before January 1, 2004, or if you are married, a veteran, or have children or other dependents you support, so your parents’ income is not required. Since July 1, 2026, Workforce Pell can also pay for qualifying short-term job training programs (150 to 599 clock hours); see the trade school aid guide. Check your state’s FAFSA deadline on the state grants pages.