Scholarships for adults going back to school are more available than most returning students expect. Adult students qualify for the same federal student aid as younger students — there is no age limit — and dozens of awards specifically target adults returning to college, from the Imagine America $1,000 Adult Skills Education Program grant to the Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant for women 35 and older and tuition-free programs like Tennessee Reconnect.

Key Details

  • Who this guide is for: adults going back to school at any age — there is no age limit for federal student aid
  • Featured awards: Imagine America ASEP ($1,000 grant), Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant (women 35+), Tennessee Reconnect (tuition-free)
  • Federal aid: file the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov — students 24 and older are automatically considered independent
  • Deadlines: Deadlines: Vary by award — Jeannette Rankin closes Feb 12, 2027; Imagine America ASEP takes rolling applications; confirm each award on its official page

FAFSA for Adults: No Age Limit for Federal Student Aid

According to the U.S. Department of Education, there is no age limit for federal student aid — almost everyone is eligible for some type of federal student aid. Students 24 and older are automatically considered independent, so no parental information is required on the application. File the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov to unlock grants, loans, and work-study as an adult student.

Who are Non-Traditional Students

A student who did not receive a standard high school diploma, but reported completing high school either through passing a General Education Development (GED) exam or another equivalency exam or receiving a certificate of high school completion was considered a nontraditional student.

There is no clear definition of who a non-traditional student is. However, they have mostly been captured using their age as a surrogate variable that captures a large, heterogeneous population of adult students who often have family and work responsibilities as well as other life circumstances that can interfere with the successful completion of educational objectives. Their background, residence, level of employment, and occupational programs are also a factor.

Why Become a Non-Traditional Student?

There are specific reasons persons become non-traditional students. Some of them are

· As a non-traditional student, you can maintain the flow of education and learning and continue to higher education without losing momentum

· As a non-traditional student, you would have work experience for further clarity on your course choice, getting ahead when applying for job roles, and helping you apply theory to practice in your course.

· As a non-traditional student, you would have access to life experience, including increased resilience, skills, and confidence.

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· Most non-traditional students have work experience. This helps them a lot even while applying for jobs because they can easily put in the theory of what they have studied.

· As a non-traditional student, you would have the benefit to earn while you learn

· As a non-traditional student, you have higher motivation because you chose the path and the education is flexible. You can study when, where, and how you want.

· As a non-traditional student, you would not need to put your life on hold.

Do Non-traditional Students always Get Scholarships?

Although many schools restrict eligibility for the school’s financial aid programs to the first Bachelor’s degree, some schools will waive the restrictions when the student is an adult returning to school to earn a second degree to prepare for a career change.

According to data from the 2026 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS), non-traditional students are likelier to receive the Pell Grant than traditional students, but less likely to receive private scholarships.

Non-traditional students are more likely to pursue a Certificate or Associate’s degree than traditional students and less likely to pursue a Bachelor’s degree.

A little more than a third (35.8%) of non-traditional students are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, compared with nearly three-fifths (58.6%) of traditional students.

Many colleges offer free tuition to senior citizens who wish to audit classes and significantly reduced tuition for courses taken for credit.

The senior citizen must be a state resident and meet age thresholds(usually 60+, 62+ or 65+). In some cases, there may be income limits. Free tuition for auditing classes is usually only on a space-available basis.

Sometimes, free tuition is only available at specific public colleges or only at community colleges.

People age 55 and older who volunteer may receive education awards of up to $1,000 for 350 hours of volunteer service through the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

These awards may be used for the volunteer’s education or transferred to a child, foster child, or grandchild.

Even though non-traditional students may be eligible for increased loan limits, they should avoid overborrowing.

Best Scholarships for Adults Going Back to School

The best scholarships for adults going back to school in 2027 are listed below, starting with the newly verified awards:

Imagine America Adult Skills Education Program

The Imagine America Foundation’s Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP) is a one-time $1,000 tuition grant for adult students at hundreds of participating career colleges. To be eligible, you must be enrolling at a participating college, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, be age 19 or older, hold a high school diploma or GED (or pass an Ability to Benefit test), not be a previous Imagine America recipient, and demonstrate financial need. The application process: create a portal profile, apply for the Adult Skills Education Program, complete the NCCT Student Success Assessment and the Financial Planning Made Simple video — then the school reviews your application. Applications are rolling. Apply for the Imagine America Adult Skills Education Program.

Tennessee Reconnect

Tennessee Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship that lets eligible adults attend a Tennessee community college or technical college tuition-free — it covers tuition and mandatory fees not already paid by other state or federal aid. Eligibility: no associate or bachelor’s degree, Tennessee resident for at least one year, and determined as an independent student on the FAFSA. Steps: apply at TNReconnect.gov, apply to a local community college or eligible institution, file the FAFSA, and enroll at least part-time in a degree or certificate program.

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Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant

The Jeannette Rankin Foundation’s National Scholar Grant offers up to $3,000 a year in unrestricted non-tuition funding, renewable for up to five years, for women age 35 and older (25+ for Georgia and Montana residents and Tribal College students through separate grants) pursuing a technical, vocational, associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree at an accredited nonprofit U.S. institution. Inspired by Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress, the foundation’s vision is to inspire a better world by empowering women through education. The 2026–2027 cycle opened October 5, 2026 and closes February 12, 2027; applicants are notified July 31, 2027. Apply for the Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant.

Google SVA Scholarship

The Google SVA scholarship is one of the scholarship programs for non-traditional students. The scholarship aims to inspire and help students become future leaders in computing and technology. To be eligible, you must intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a student in a computing or technology program, have maintained solid academic performance, and have exemplified leadership. The application process requires your general background information, your resume or CV, and your academic records. Check the official page for the current cycle’s deadline and amount.

American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship for Non-traditional Students

The American Legion Auxiliary scholarship is a non-traditional scholarship that helps people who are members of The American Legion, Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion continue their education. Check the official page for the current cycle’s deadline and amount.

Ford Opportunity Program

Hallie E. Ford (1905-2007), a founder of The Ford Family Foundation, originally established the Ford Opportunity Program. It serves residents of Oregon or Siskiyou County, California — including parents of any age and adult learners over the age of 25 as of March 1 of the application year — seeking an associate or bachelor’s degree at an eligible public or private nonprofit college. Check the official page for the current cycle’s deadline and amount.

Get Educated Online College Scholarship

The Get Educated online college scholarship is an online degree financial aid program. Awards are based on both merit and financial need, and you can use the grant money to attend an accredited online degree program. To be eligible for financial aid, you must be a U.S. citizen enrolled in an accredited online degree program. To apply, you download an official application and write a 500-word essay. Check the official page for the current cycle’s deadline and amount.

Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is a merit-based program that helps students fulfill their dreams of a higher education. The scholarship is named for Gen and Kelly Tanabe, best-selling authors on education, whose generosity funds the award. A committee decides primarily on the submitted personal statement and chooses winners. The award can be used for tuition, room, board, required fees, or educational expenses. To be eligible, you must be a legal U.S. resident and currently in school or planning to enroll. Check the official page for the current cycle’s deadline and amount.

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The Walmart Associate Scholarship

The national retail chain supports this scholarship, which provides encouragement and financial aid for Walmart associates pursuing higher education. The scholarship is open to all employees with a high school diploma or GED. The process to renew the Walmart Associate Scholarship is flexible, allowing scholars to request funding as they progress through a degree or certificate program. Check the official page for the current cycle’s deadline and amount.

The Marius “Gabe” DeGabriel Scholarship

This scholarship opportunity is for U.S. citizens who are graduate students. To be eligible, you must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. The application requirements for the Marius “Gabe” DeGabriele Scholarship include recommendation letters. Check the official page for the current cycle’s deadline and amount.

The Kazimour Scholarship

The Kazimour Scholarships are awarded to non-traditional students who demonstrate strong academic achievement. To be eligible, you must be a non-traditional undergraduate student member of ANTSHE. Check the official page for the current cycle’s deadline and amount.

The Osher Reentry Scholarship Program

Osher Re-entry Scholarship funds can help cover tuition and mandatory fees only. The Bernard Osher Foundation provides scholarships for returning students who have interrupted their college education for at least five years. Check the official page for the current cycle’s deadline and amount.

The Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Scholarship

The ASIST program is supported by Executive Women International and is available to all adult learners. Applicants may be single parents, displaced homemakers, or individuals entering the workforce for the first time. EWI believes that the ASIST Program will positively impact the applicant’s personal life, employment, and future. The ASIST scholarship is a non-discriminatory, educational scholarship program for the benefit of non-traditional students — persons who are past high school age and who are entering a college, university, or trade school. Check the official page for the current cycle’s deadline and amount.

Conclusion

Scholarships provide an opportunity for people to earn an education. Students may have trouble paying for the degree without assistance from an outside source. Scholarships help students have more time to focus on their studies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best scholarships for adults going back to school?

Top picks for 2027 include the Imagine America $1,000 Adult Skills Education Program grant, the Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant for women 35 and older, and tuition-free Tennessee Reconnect — plus the other awards listed in this guide. File the FAFSA too, since there is no age limit for federal student aid.

Can you get financial aid at 30, 40, or 50 years old?

Yes. There is no age limit for federal student aid — almost everyone is eligible for some type of federal student aid — and students 24 and older are automatically considered independent on the FAFSA, so no parental information is required.

Is there an age limit for FAFSA or federal student aid?

No. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there is no age limit for federal student aid. File the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov regardless of your age.

What is the Imagine America $1,000 scholarship for adult students?

It is the Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP): a one-time $1,000 tuition grant for adult students at hundreds of participating career colleges, with rolling applications.

Can adults really go to college tuition-free?

Yes — Tennessee Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship that lets eligible adults (no prior degree, Tennessee residents for at least one year, determined as independent on the FAFSA) attend a Tennessee community college or technical college tuition-free, covering tuition and mandatory fees not paid by other state or federal aid.