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Scholarships for Nontraditional Students

Using this guide will help nontraditional students learn how to apply for scholarships. Read about scholarships for transfer students, adults returning to college, and online students.

Written by Sasha Blakeley

What Is a Nontraditional Student?

When it comes to attending college, not all students take the same path. The traditional educational pathway as most people understand it is for students to complete high school and then immediately attend a two- or four-year undergraduate program as a full-time student. While this pattern is common, it is by no means universal. There are many ways in which students might deviate from this educational pathway, making them what are known as nontraditional students.

For some individuals, being a nontraditional student simply means that they:

  • Took time off between high school and college
  • Started a degree after high school and then left their program
  • Returned to college education as an adult

Online students, who represent a growing number of undergraduates, are also considered nontraditional, as are students who transfer from one institution to another during their degrees. Other students considered nontraditional can include:

All nontraditional student pathways present their own challenges, but taking an alternate path through college by no means indicates that an individual will not be able to thrive in a college environment. There are many nontraditional students, and that number is likely to grow as more and more individuals break with the current cultural norms surrounding college education. Although being a nontraditional student can be daunting, the fact that this pathway is commonly taken can also be motivating, not discouraging. Some colleges and universities have programs specifically tailored to the experiences of nontraditional students, and awareness of alternate educational experiences is growing.

And Many Others...

The types of nontraditional students listed above are just a representative sample of the diverse range of student experiences. Many of these students are currently enrolled or planning to enroll in college courses of all kinds. While it is important not to minimize the challenges that nontraditional students might face, it is also important to keep in mind that being a nontraditional student is not necessarily an obstacle to success but rather something that provides students with a unique perspective.

From college courses, scholarships, and even job applications, the nontraditional elements of students' educational journeys can actually provide the chance to stand out from the crowd in a positive way, potentially providing unique opportunities. In addition to scholarships, there are also grants, internships, fellowships, and organizations that can provide material support and connection to nontraditional students. Read on to learn more about how to get funding through these scholarships and opportunities, how to make the most of time spent in the college system, and how to manage the costs of education. Education should be for everyone, and many nontraditional students are paving the way to make that idea a reality by changing how people think of postsecondary education.

Average Cost of College

Attending college in the United States can be costly, as many students are aware. However, the cost of a degree can vary significantly depending on the length of the program, the degree level, and the kind of institution a student attends. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the 2020-2021 year:

  • The average cost of a year of undergraduate tuition at a public college is around $9,400 for in-state students
  • The average cost of a year of undergraduate tuition at private nonprofit schools is around $37,600 for in-state students

These figures are for four-year programs; two-year programs tend to be cheaper, averaging $3,900 for public colleges and $18,000 for private nonprofit schools. Community colleges tend to cost even less while still providing students with valuable credits and learning opportunities.

It is also common for nontraditional students to pursue master's degrees and Ph.D. programs. The costs associated with these programs can vary significantly, depending on the type of program and its length. Master's programs usually require at least 2-3 years of study, while Ph.D programs require 4-6 years. The costs of these programs can often be lessened through teaching assistantships and fellowships offered by the college.

For all type of degree programs, funding from scholarships and grants can result in a less overwhelming total cost for a college experience.

Credits

Students need to get a certain number of college credits to graduate, usually 120 credits for a four-year degree (master's degree typically requires 30-60 credits and Ph.D. programs 120), and colleges sometimes charge on a per-credit basis. For students who go into bench sciences, there may be other costs associated with college beyond tuition, including lab fees. Students who choose to live in residences will need to factor the cost of room and board into their school budget. Credits greatly impact the rate at which students can finish a degree, meaning that programs with high numbers of required credits may be more costly than those with lower credit requirements.

Students concerned about the cost of degrees have many options for reducing those costs. One often-overlooked option allows students to take advantage of what they already know through prior learning assessments.

  • The College Learning Examination Program (CLEP) is a series of exams that allow students to earn college credit by getting a high enough grade on standardized tests. Nearly 3,000 colleges accept CLEP credits, which can lighten the course load that students need to worry about. Nontraditional students, especially parents and those who are working full-time, may find that a lighter course load makes the college experience much easier. Most of the time, a single college course will earn a student three credits, with some exceptions. CLEP exams usually award students either three or six credits.
  • The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST exams) function in a similar way as the CLEP Exams, except it was specifically designed for former military members. The DSST exams allow military members and now others to exchange their on-the-job training and experience for college credit. There are 38 exams that can been taken for college credit, ranging from business to math to the physical sciences.

Students who are still in high school can also get college credit by completing advanced placement (AP) courses or the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. For older students, there are also college credit internships that take several weeks or months and provide students with some credits toward a degree. Some students choose the nontraditional route of completing many community college credits at low cost and then transferring those credits to a more prestigious college. This can be a great way of handling elective credits at a much lower cost while keeping one's major areas of study for a public or private college.

Some exams or courses even provide dual credit, giving students more credit hours in a single course and reducing school time. Because many nontraditional students have significant obligations and responsibilities outside of the classroom, accelerating a college degree and earning credits for lower costs are often important priorities.

Public vs. Private Universities

The distinction between public and private colleges and universities is important but not necessarily important internationally. Public colleges receive funding from the government, and as such, they are comparatively inexpensive. Private nonprofit colleges are funded by their students, so tuition costs are much higher. Some private nonprofit colleges have prestigious reputations, but there are also very good public schools. Both public and private colleges can vary in size, but they usually have several thousand students or more, as well as libraries, labs, residence halls, and other resources.

Students should be wary of private for-profit institutions, which are usually more expensive than public colleges but cheaper than private nonprofit ones. These schools may not offer particularly good degrees because of their profit motive, so it is essential that students do their research before applying.

Community colleges are another option for postsecondary education. They are usually smaller than the larger private and public campuses and may have fewer resources, though they can still offer good-quality education.

Choosing which college to attend is a complicated decision. The three main factors that should influence a student's choice are:

  • Institution's cost
  • Course offerings
  • Career opportunities

In terms of cost, community colleges certainly come out on top, followed by public and then private colleges. Some students might only be able to study what they are interested in at public or private schools, especially if local community colleges only offer a limited set of courses. Although private colleges can be very expensive, some of the prestige associated with them can benefit an individual's career after graduation. All of these factors are important, and students should carefully consider their priorities.

In-Person or Online Learning

In earlier decades, it was essential for all college students to attend their classes in person. Today, online learning is becoming increasingly common. Nontraditional students who choose to complete their degrees online will have to contend with certain challenges, though they may have advantages as well. Learning online can take students out of the culture of their college and can make it more challenging to absorb information depending on an individual's learning style. Some students may find online learning frustrating if it is not clearly laid out.

However, online learning can also allow students to learn at their own pace, at lower cost, from home. Students who are full-time workers or who are single parents may be particularly drawn to online programs, and the same is true of students with mobility disabilities and other experiences that make on-campus learning challenging. Another option is a hybrid curriculum that requires students to attend campus sometimes and learn from home the rest of the time. Although online college is not for everyone, it can make all the difference for some nontraditional students.

Scholarships for College

Numerous websites that function as scholarship search engines allowing students to input their degree type, demographics, and financial goals to be matched with relevant scholarships. Many others simply provide extensive lists of scholarships with descriptions of eligibility requirements and monetary awards. In addition to these online resources, students can find scholarships by exploring offerings from local businesses or contacting colleges to ask about their scholarship opportunities. High schools, churches, community centers, and other local organizations may also provide financial assistance to students hoping to attend college without breaking the bank. Individual colleges will usually offer merit-based and need-based scholarships, so it is always worth keeping up to date with what is on offer.

Students should try to create high-quality applications for relevant scholarships rather than sending out many applications that are less impressive. Students should be sure to research many different scholarship areas, including scholarships for nontraditional students and scholarships that fit students' hobbies, interests, and backgrounds. Utilizing available financial resources can make the process of applying for funding less challenging, especially with a bit of practice.

Scholarships for Online Students

An increasing number of organizations are starting to offer scholarships to students who choose to pursue their post-secondary education online.

Scholarships for Adults Returning to College

Adult learner scholarships are aimed at helping older learners join or rejoin the college environment. They tend to be applicable to students from a wide variety of backgrounds and can be available at the undergraduate or graduate level for either online or on-campus learning.

  • The Adult Students in Scholastic Transition Scholarships are a great place to start, as they distribute around half a million dollars in scholarship money each year to their various recipients. Scholarships are between $250 and $2,500 for older students in college.
  • The Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP) offers a $1000 scholarship to adult students 19 and over who are enrolled in participating colleges.
  • For women and non-binary individuals, the Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant offers $2,000 awards. Applicants must be over the age of 35, must have a low income, and must be enrolled in a technical or vocational college program in order to qualify.
  • Working parents who are also attending college may want to consider the Working Parent College Scholarship Award Program, which offers successful applicants $1,000 to help offset the cost of education. This scholarship requires applicants to submit an essay.

Veterans, parents, full-time workers, immigrants, and individuals from low-income backgrounds may be well-suited to apply for these scholarships.

Scholarships for Transfer Students

As previously mentioned, it can be financially smart for students to get some credits at a cheaper institution and then transfer to a more prestigious college later. Transfer students are considered nontraditional, and as a result, they are often eligible for a variety of scholarships.

  • The University of Southern Alabama offers a few scholarships for students who are transferring from other institutions.
  • Whitworth University also provides scholarships for transfer students that can range from $17,000 to $25,000 per year, effectively covering tuition.
  • Augustana College in Illinois also offers transfer student scholarships to cover tuition, ranging from $18,000 to $25,000 depending on students' academic achievement.

How To Apply for Scholarships

Learning how to apply for scholarships successfully can take time. Students should treat the application process seriously and ensure that they know when all of their scholarship deadlines are. It can be helpful to treat scholarship applications like a school course or an extracurricular activity, setting aside a specific time each day or week to work on applications and search for new scholarships. It is absolutely essential to apply for scholarships on time and fully follow the application instructions. Many scholarships require students to submit:

  • A resume that should highlight academic achievement and career goals
  • Past community service
  • Special skills
  • Work experience

There are many online resources that can help students craft the perfect resume for scholarship applications, though students will also need to tailor their information to reflect best what each individual scholarship is requesting. Being a nontraditional student can be an advantage for scholarships, as many scholarships request essays from students explaining why winning the scholarship would be important to them and how they stand out from other applicants. An unusual college education or nontraditional background can give students an edge in this area.

While scholarship requirements can be similar, it is vital to write a new essay for each application to ensure each essay is clearly written and edited carefully before submitting. In many cases, it is beneficial for students to emphasize their passion for a particular field of study or education in general in order to have a good chance of winning. Before submitting an application, students should double-check that they have left nothing blank and made no errors. Although the process of applying for scholarships can be challenging, there are good scholarships for everyone, and perseverance will pay off.

Nontraditional Student

Being a nontraditional student is not always easy, but for many individuals, it can turn out to be a great way to approach postsecondary education. Nontraditional education is becoming more common, so students who are following their own path are already in good company. Being a parent, a veteran, an online or transfer student, an adult learner, or a full-time worker from a low-income background are all experiences that can enrich a college education rather than detract from it. Getting creative with funding options and the various institutions that offer college credit can make college a much more affordable and positive experience for many, especially since funding and resources for nontraditional students are becoming more common. Nontraditional students enrich the educational landscape and bring fresh perspectives to postsecondary education, making them a valuable part of the educational community.

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