Scholarship Programs for "Non-Traditional" Students

Irma Thomas, "The Soul Queen of New Orleans", returned to schoolin 2003 to earned a degree from Delgado Community College here in New Orleans

As a service to the community, we have compiled this list of "outside" scholarship opportunities available to "non-traditional" students. This list can be used as a starting point to encourage applicants to research additional funding opportunities.

Women Returning to College

• The Women's Opportunity Award Program -The Women's Opportunity Awards program is Soroptimist's major project. Through the program, clubs in 19 countries and territories assist women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects
• Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation  - The Foundation will offer five Education Support Awards of up to $2000 each to assist low-income women with children who are pursuing education or training. They will accept applications for 2011 Education Support Awards beginning on, but not before, May 1, 2011. Applications must be postmarked no later than July 15, 2011. Education Support Awards may be used for direct school expenses or for living expenses while you are enrolled in an educational program.
• The Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) is available to adults facing economic, social, or physical challenges, who are looking to improve their situation through educational opportunities.  Last year local Executive Women International Chapters and corporate ASIST scholarships totaled over $250,000.
• AAIA Displaced Homemaker Scholarship: The Association on American Indian Affairs offers Displaced Homemaker Scholarships in the amount of $1000 each, to those men and women who would not otherwise be able to complete their educational goals due to family responsibilities. Funds may be used to assist with child care, transportation and basic living expenses, etc. in addition to educational costs.  Disbursement is made during the first semester. Applicants must be full time students. This scholarship does not automatically renew. Students are eligible to apply on a yearly basis.
• The Non-Traditional Student Scholarship: These scholarships are available for a student returning to the classroom after some period of time in which his/her formal schooling was interrupted or a student who has had at least one year of college and is in need of financial assistance to pursue an undergraduate degree. The applicant must be a member of The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion.
• P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education: Provides grants up to $3,000 for educational expenses, (e.g., tuition, books, transportation, childcare) to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to resume studies due to changing demands in their lives
• Jeannette Rankin Foundation: Awards grants to low-income women (over the age of 35) who have a vision of how their education will benefit themselves, their families, and their communities. The JRF grants are for $2,000 and will be awarded in the fall. The funds are not limited to just tuition expenses, but can also be used for books, supplies, transportation, childcare, or any other living expenses.
• 2011 Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund -  national scholarship program that is geared towards women who earned their high school diploma or GED at least 10 years ago and who are now seeking a college degree. Application Deadline: January 3, 2011 OR until 5,000 applications have been received.
• The Wal-Mart Higher Reach Scholarship - Provides a college scholarship up to $3,000 to Wal-Mart associates who have been out of school for at least one year.
• The Women's Independence Scholarship Program - The objective of the Women's Independence Scholarship Program is to help survivors of intimate partner abuse obtain an education that will in turn offer them the chance to secure employment, personal independence and self sufficiency

Native American Students

• American Indian Science and Engineering Society- AISES administers 5 distinct scholarships, in partnership with various organizations, as well as its own memorial scholarship. AISES scholarships are intended to supplement the unmet financial needs of qualified American Indian students pursuing degrees in science, engineering, and technology
• Association on American Indian Affairs -For 87 years, AAIA has been working to  provide the critical elements that Native American Indian children and families need to live happy, healthy and productive lives.
• American Indian Services= Since 1958, AIS has designed many valuable programs which assist them towards self-sufficiency and building better communities. Chief among these is providing scholarships for needy Native Americans to attend colleges and vocational schools.
• The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development - Each year, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development awards five scholarships to American Indian college or graduate students majoring in business.
•  Native American Scholarship Database

Return to

• General "outside" scholarship information page
• Information for dislocated workers
• Information for displaced homemakers
• Information for "1st Generation" College students
• Women's Resource Center