Scholarships are not just for those competent in Sports, engineers, women in business, or even first responders, there are still many Scholarships available for those who want to go back to school. We understand that returning to school is a very tough decision to make especially when you have other responsibilities like families to take care of and a boss you’re answering to.
The worst part is that the cost of college is rapidly increasing, which can be a big problem for the decision of going back to school.
Fortunately, back-to-school scholarships are one of the best ways to reduce these financial problems, in fact, there are some scholarships that won’t even consider your previous academic performance nor bother you to start writing an essay.
Meanwhile, there are still some relatable scholarships that you should also consider like scholarships for first-year students, or even awards to study abroad for int’l students.
Before we start listing these scholarships, let’s first explain what these awards are, then list their importance, and how to find them, before we finally list available scholarships.
Table of Contents
What are Back-to-School Scholarships?
These scholarships are financial aid designed to help students return to school, especially those who dropped out along the way and couldn’t complete college. Some of these scholarships don’t consider your academic performance, some only consider your financial need, and some are in the form of sweepstakes, in which the winner is randomly selected.
Why Back-to-School Scholarships Are Important
Here are some importance of taking advantage of these scholarships.
- Firstly, they can help you reduce or even totally prevent you from accumulating student loan debt.
- They can reduce your mind from worrying about finances and put more focus on your studies, which would help you ace your academic goals.
- Just like scholarships for first-gen high school seniors, some of these scholarships provide more than financial assistance, some provide mentoring, stipend, and accommodation.
How to Find a Back-to-School Scholarship Suitable for You
- One of the best and easiest ways to do that is by following the links we added to these scholarships below.
- Another important method is to check the school you intend to apply to. Most of them already provide automatic scholarships to first-year students, but you can still make inquiries through the financial aid advisor, they should know the scholarships available to you.
- You can also contact organizations and businesses around you including places of worship, some of these organizations provide scholarships that go unclaimed.
Now, let’s list these scholarships.
Back-to-School Scholarships
1. Niche $25,000 Back to School Scholarship
This is one of the easiest but very competitive back-to-school scholarships that anyone can receive. It’s easy, because you won’t be writing an essay, submitting any grade, or have Involved in any extracurricular activities to qualify.
The winner will be decided by random drawing which makes it extremely competitive. Due to the fact that the funds are tempting, you should expect thousands to apply, and there will be only one winner.
You have to be a US citizen or have a valid Visa/US passport only.
2. WGU Back to School Scholarship
Award: $2,500
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: To be eligible for this scholarship you have to be a new student or returning graduates pursuing an eligible bachelor’s or master’s degree programs. Applicants also need to be ready for online study at Western Governors University
3. Ford Opportunity Program Scholarship
Award: Renewable financial award of up to $40,000 per year
Number of Recipients: Up to 96
Eligibility: This back-to-school scholarship is available to parents of any age or adult learners over the age of 25 who are residents of Oregon or Siskiyou County, California, have the intention of earning an associate or bachelor’s degree, and are facing financial barriers.
4. Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Scholarship
Award: Ranging from $2,000 to $10,000
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: To qualify for this back-to-school scholarship you need to reside within the geographical boundaries of a participating Chapter and be pursuing either an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, or a certification program.
5. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards
Award: Up to $16,000
Number of Recipients: More than 2,000 women
Eligibility: This back-to-school award is eligible to women who are the primary financial supporters for themselves and their dependents, who have financial needs, and who reside in one of Soroptimist member countries. Also, applicants must not have received this award before, have a graduate degree, nor are Soroptimist members.
6. AAUW International Fellowships
Award: $20,000–$50,000
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: These fellowships are eligible for women who are citizens other than the U.S. that have earned their bachelor’s degree, and pursuing another degree or postdoctoral program. Applicants also need to intend to return to their home country to pursue a professional career upon completion of their studies, and other requirements.
7. Working Parent College Scholarship by Job-Applications.com
Award: $1,000
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: These back-to-school scholarships are available to full or part-time students in an accredited U.S. higher institution with minimum CGPA of 3.0. Applicants must have worked an average of at least twelve (12) hours for each of the previous four (4) weeks at the time of applying and must be legal residents of the U.S.
8. BigFuture – Adult Back to School Scholarship
Award: $2,000
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: This scholarship is eligible to residents of Barberton, Ohio who have interrupted their education for at least one year since high school graduation and are intending to return back to school. Applicants need to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and need to be seeking a professional certification, associate, or bachelor’s degree.
9. CX Back-to-School Scholarship
Award: $2,000
Eligibility: You just need to reside in the United States and answer the question, what is your favorite subject in School? to be eligible. Just like Niche Scholarship, the winner will be randomly chosen from a pool of applicants.
10. Tide and Downy Back To School Scholarship
Award: $10,000
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: Open to residents of the US who are 16 years old and older and who are either enrolled in or accepted to a US university, college, or community college for an undergraduate degree.
11. College JumpStart Scholarship
Award: $1,000
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: Open to 10th to 12th graders, college students, and non-traditional students, who are committed to going to school and can express their goals for getting a higher education.
12. The 1,000 Dreams Scholarship
Award: $1,000
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: Applicants for these back-to-school scholarships need to be women attending high school or a two-year or four-year college/university in the United States who demonstrate financial need.
13. The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)
Award: Varies
Number of Recipients: Multiple
Eligibility: Applicants need to be women who are direct survivors of intimate partner abuse. Also, women who have been separated from their batterers for more than five years and who are returning to school are eligible to apply.
Conclusion
As we said earlier, returning to school is not easy, especially if you’re now an adult with other responsibilities. We believe these scholarships can help encourage you to keep pushing and, most importantly, help reduce the financial burden.
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