Independent Students And Scholarships

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Updated April 27, 2023

Independent Students And Scholarships

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Independent and Nontraditional Students Financial Assistance

Paying for college can be stressful, especially for students without family financial support. Independent students may struggle to cover college costs. These students comprise a large portion of college learners. Independent status includes married students, parents, those over age 24, military service members, and graduate students.

Fortunately, several available scholarships for independent students can help cover the cost of a degree. This page introduces some scholarships for independent students and nontraditional learners.


Scholarships for Older Students (25 years+)


Nontraditional students include anyone over age 25. Older students often bring more life and professional experience to college. They also qualify for several scholarships for older students. Married students also qualify as independent for financial aid purposes. However, few scholarships support married students.

Ford ReStart Scholars Program

A need-based scholarship program, the ReStart Scholars Program supports students age 25 or older. Applicants must be enrolled in an associate or bachelor's program. They must also live in Oregon or Siskiyou County, California. The scholarship covers 90% of unmet college costs for up to 46 students annually.

Boundless Opportunity Scholarship

The Boundless Opportunity Scholarship supports nontraditional students, GED recipients, veterans, former foster care youth, and former juvenile justice youth. Applicants must live in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming and be enrolled in an undergraduate program. The scholarship requires proof of financial need. Participating schools distribute the funds.

Scholarships for Graduate Students


Many organizations offer scholarships for graduate students based on their degree, career goals, or school. Learn more about graduate student financial aid and see some scholarships below.

ANTSHE President's Scholarship

The President's Scholarship supports a graduate student who shows financial need and academic achievement. Applicants must be nontraditional student members of the Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education. Recipients must enroll full time at an accredited school. The scholarship provides up to full tuition.

Global Banking & Markets - MBA Diversity Fellowship

Graduate students in business qualify for the MBA Diversity Fellowship. Applicants must be Black, Hispanic, Native American, LGBT+, military veterans, students with disabilities, or women. The scholarship requires a resume, essay, and proof of admission to an accredited business school. Recipients receive up to $40,000 in financial aid for their first year of an MBA program.

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Scholarships for Parents and Caregivers


Caregivers and student parents qualify for scholarships when attending college. The following opportunities help those caring for others earn a degree.

Patsy Mink Education Support Scholarship

The Patsy Mink Foundation offers five Education Support Awards each year. The scholarship offers up to $5,000 in financial aid for low-income mothers pursuing education or training. Applicants must be pursuing their first degree at a postsecondary level. They must attend a nonprofit, accredited school that does not discriminate based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, or immigration status.

The Custody X Change Single Parent Scholarships

Three parents pursuing an undergraduate degree receive the Single Parent Scholarship each year. The scholarship requires an essay on how applicants will use their education to improve their family. Applicants need primary physical custody of at least one minor child. They need a minimum 3.0 GPA and must enroll full time at an accredited college.

Job-Applications.com Working Parent Scholarship

The Working Parent Scholarship supports parents enrolled in a college program while also working. Applicants can be full-time or part-time students attending an accredited college. The scholarship requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and a work history of at least 12 hours a week for the four weeks before applying. Applicants submit an essay on balancing parenthood, working, and school.

SeniorCare.com Aging Matters Scholarship

The Aging Matters Scholarship provides $1,500 to a student who cares for an aging loved one or works with elderly adults. The scholarship also supports students pursuing a career in elder care. Applicants must enroll in an accredited two-year or four-year college and sumit an essay on why aging matters. Applicants submit their materials in May.

Scholarships for Active Military Students and Veterans


Active-duty military service members and veterans qualify for a variety of educational benefits. In addition to the GI Bill® and other service-related educational support, these students can apply for special scholarships for veterans and opportunities for the dependents of service members and veterans.

Many scholarships apply to in-person and online programs. This allows active-duty military students to earn a college degree while serving.

ANTSHE Nontrad Military Service Award

The Nontrad Military Service Award funds nontraditional students with a record of military service, including current and former service members. Applicants must attend an accredited school and demonstrate drive and perseverance. The scholarship also requires student membership in the Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education.

Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarships

The Army Women's Foundation offers Legacy Scholarships to help women soldiers and their descendents advance their education. The program offers financial support for certificate students, community college programs, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees. The graduate scholarship offers up to $2,500 in financial aid for students with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

HotelPlanner.com College Scholarship Program for Veterans

The HotelPlanner.com Scholarship provides 10 scholarships for veterans each year. Applicants must attend an accredited graduate program related to technology in the U.S. The scholarship committee evaluates applicants based on financial need. Other criteria include military service and an essay. The partner or child of military service members also qualify. The scholarship accepts applications in August and December.

Scholarships for Students With Extenuating Circumstances


Foster care youth, adopted children, emancipated minors, and other students with special circumstances qualify for a variety of scholarships. FAFSA independent status applies to students with several extenuating circumstances. For example, young adults with deceased parents, students in legal guardianship, and homeless youth qualify as independent students.

In addition to the following opportunities, consider scholarships for adopted students and special scholarships for independent students with extenuating circumstances.

EWI ASIST Scholarship

The ASIST Scholarship funds students facing economic, social, or physical challenges. Executive Women International offers this scholarship. A committee reviews applications at the chapter level and then submits winners for scholarships that range from $2,000-$10,000. Applicants must live within the boundaries of a chapter that participates in the scholarship.

ANTSHE Founder's Scholarship

The Founders Scholarship supports nontraditional students with demonstrated financial need. Applicants must be undergraduates who contribute to their college and community. The scholarship requires full-time enrollment in a bachelor's program at an accredited college. Applicants must also join the Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education as student members. Recipients receive up to the full cost of tuition.


How to Find Other Scholarships as an Independent Student


Sorting through dozens or even hundreds of scholarships can feel overwhelming. Independent students can streamline the process by focusing their search. For example, students can look for need-based scholarships or scholarships that include terms like "financial need" "FAFSA required" or "demonstrated need."

In addition to need-based opportunities, independent students can seek scholarships based on their major, college, future career plans, or identity. Learners can also search for scholarships based on their high school, hometown, county, and membership in any clubs or organizations. National scholarships often receive the most applications. State and local scholarships typically offer a higher chance of receiving financial aid.

Many employers also offer scholarships, grants, and tuition assistance programs to help their employees earn a degree. Some states provide scholarships and grants for particular college programs. Finally, look for unique scholarships and other scholarships for nontraditional students.

Additional Resources: How to Pay for College

Portrait of Genevieve Carlton

Genevieve Carlton

Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and earned tenure as a history professor at the University of Louisville. An award-winning historian and writer, Genevieve has published multiple scholarly articles and a book with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a freelance writer and consultant.

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