phd scholarships for mature students

Getting a PhD in Your 50s and 60s: The Ultimate Guide

There’s a significant rise in the number of mature students returning to university to complete postgraduate degrees. You plan to be one of them. But you find yourself asking if it is feasible to start getting a PhD in your 50s and 60s. 

It’s never too late getting a PhD in your 50s and 60s because there’s no age limit in the pursuit of higher education. To give you a head start on this exciting new endeavor, we present to you the ultimate guide to getting a PhD in your prime years.

It is critical to know what to expect, such as the challenges and benefits of reviving an academic existence as a mid- or late-career student, so you can plan for the years ahead. Read on to find out how.

Why You Should Pursue a PhD at a Later Stage in Life

Why would anyone in their right mind regurgitate a period of woe and misery in their golden years when they should already be relaxing? Well, many people, not just nerds, love studying. 

There’s an entire population dedicated to life-long learning. They form the bulk of those going back to school to complete degrees that were halted mid-life due to the untimely arrival of kids, financial downfall, death in the family, or other unfortunate circumstances. These mature students don’t need a reason to return to school. Their passion drives them.

For others, the purpose is economical. Those in the middle of their career embark on a PhD to change its direction, improve their prospects, upgrade their qualification set, or to accrue further knowledge. In fields like teaching and research, a doctorate is a veritable advantage.

Nina Grunfeld , founder of Life Clubs , a network that helps people achieve life changes, explains that many, particularly women, want to return to study because they’re disgruntled or have a desire to improve themselves, revive their career, or discover new passions.

“A milestone age is often a trigger,” Grunfeld adds.

“At the Open University , favored by many part-time learners, numbers of postgraduate students over the age of 45 have been increasing steadily for the past three years, with the greatest rise (32%) in students over 65.”

Others undertake a PhD to crown a significant achievement or just to prove they can do it. This writer’s friend did it to slap her diploma in the face of her wealthy future sister-in-law, who denigrated her economic status. Education, after all, is one of the world’s greatest equalizers. 

Most crave a PhD for the prestige the three letters can add to their names. If, however, you have a natural yearning for knowledge and in-depth study of a subject you’re passionate about, the heck with your age. Go for it!

Reasons Not to Get a PhD

Thoroughly assess your reasons for pursuing a PhD, because although it’s fulfilling academically, it’s also a huge financial commitment. If you’re dissatisfied with your current job, or you think it would just be fun to be a student again, neither will give you the strength to withstand the rigors of extreme study.

On the other hand, if you’re sure that gaining this qualification will fit in with your life goals, then forge ahead!

The Benefits of Pursuing a PhD

Do you want a research doctorate, or do you want to teach? Both are the standard reasons for undertaking PhD studies. Once completed, a PhD will make you an expert in your chosen field, possibly even beyond borders!

Apart from aspects previously mentioned, especially beneficial for older people is the fact that learning builds new neural connections that improve cognitive ability, memory function, and problem-solving ability. Education is also good for boosting one’s spirit. Classroom or online learning is a social endeavor that breaks isolation and fosters social connections. 

According to the American Council on Education , social connection with teachers and peers is one of the reasons mature students over 50 pursue higher learning.

There are retirement communities (some located on campus) that partner with colleges and universities to offer residents post-secondary courses. Most of these are on the East Coast, but there are a couple in California and Florida.

Political scientist Chris Blattman explains how a PhD intangibly molds an individual: “A PhD program doesn’t just teach you, it socializes you. It gradually changes what you think is interesting and important, the peer group you compare yourself to, the value you place on leisure and family over career, and the kind of life you will value when you emerge.”

How Long Does It Take to Complete a PhD Program?

Most full-time students can complete theirs in five to six years. Part-timers can take as long as eight to 10 years. Students with a master’s degree complete their PhD in four or five years.

Some programs, like the MACRM (Master of Arts in Public Policy with Certificate in Research Methods) at the University of Chicago’s Harris Public Policy , offer a combination of methods. This master’s program provides intense and applied research training plus the option of a PhD at the end.

Study Methods

Studying for a PhD here is different compared to Europe. Our students are usually in direct contact with their professors. They’re expected to do a lot of teaching and marking, which encroaches on their free time off-campus. The earlier you accept this, the better you’ll cope and adopt solutions.

According to the World Economic Forum , the USA had the most doctoral graduates in 2017: 71,000. Germany and the UK followed, with 28,000 each.

In 2016, about 14% of all doctoral recipients were over age 40, per the National Science Foundation . Educators see increasing enrollment in doctoral programs by students in their 40s and 50s.

At Cornell University , women drive the trend . “The number of new female doctoral students age 36 or older was 44% higher in 2015 than in 2009,” says Barbara Knuth , senior vice provost and dean of the graduate school.

What Are the Requirements?

Generally, a PhD applicant should have completed a relevant undergraduate degree. Ideally, he should have also secured a master’s degree (with substantial research) in a related subject. Thankfully, this is optional here. Most PhD programs in the US, unlike in the UK, don’t require a master’s degree for admission. Students can move straight to doing a PhD with an undergraduate degree.

Here’s a sample of PhD requirements from the University of California, Berkeley , a public research university regarded as one of our most prestigious. This is a list of their graduate programs and application deadlines. We chose Berkeley as an example, because it had the highest number of top-ranked doctoral programs nationwide, according to a National Research Council report .

Required documentation includes, but isn’t limited to official transcripts, course descriptions from previous institutions attended, proof of language proficiency, references, and cover letters.

How to Apply

For admission to your chosen institution, visit its website. Check its rankings, course listings, faculty, and requirements specific to your field of study. Talk to other students and professors, learn about your desired department, and uncover the social scene.

Deadlines for applications to PhD programs are usually between December and February. You’ll get an answer by April. Most institutions recommend that you apply way in advance to give both parties plenty of time for arrangements. They require international students to have a TOEFL score of around 90, but this varies depending on the institution.

In Europe, students choose their PhD subject area before they apply. Here, potential PhD students can take up to a year or two deciding on their research subject while attending classes at a graduate level. Students normally apply to more than one institution—and separately because there’s no central organization that processes applications.

Students in Europe are expected to apply with existing knowledge of the subject via a master’s degree. They begin PhD studies right away. Here, universities accept that students don’t have an in-depth understanding of their subject and permit them to decide later.

Tips to Get a (Slight) Advantage

Get the best quality general research pre-training possible. Apply to as many top schools as you can. Visit all the institutions that accepted you. Narrow down your choices according to fit and quality.

Applying to many places is crucial because the admissions process is competitive and random. Whittling 100 promising candidates down to 30 is subjective. Even outstanding candidates might not be admitted.

Institutions are more likely to admit you if you demonstrate a good fit with their faculty. That’s why you have to research the faculty and their work, and explain how you fit in. Mention in your cover letter the staff members you see as complementary to your research. Note that deciding committees in politics programs take cover letters more seriously than their counterparts in economics.

Strive to gain entry into one of the top 10 schools in your field because it gives you a better chance at an academic job. This is true in economics, the most hierarchical field in social science.

Which University Should You Attend?

Rankings shouldn’t be the main deciding factor, but they’re an excellent indicator of educational expertise. To choose the best from the 4,000 nationwide, see this list of our best universities in 2020 and how they feature in worldwide rankings. The top five are Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and Princeton.

How to Choose the Right Institution

Consider these factors.

Your field of study, their programs, specialties, facilities, and faculty rating. Your choice depends on your preferred career and the course credit you’ve accumulated. 

If you’re certain about your field of interest and feel confident it will sustain you for the entire program, you’ll have a greater chance of getting accepted.

Researching their specialties will tell you if they’re appropriate for your area of study. See what areas they’ve worked in, their study focus, what they’ve published, and how well their work has been received. Also, investigate the quality of their student-faculty, as a postgrad study is collaborative and intense. You need to have the right people in your group.

What is the university best known for? Choose one renowned in the field you’re interested in to ensure you have the appropriate experts on hand to help you. Evaluate the kinds of research projects done in the university.

Choosing a venue depends on your circumstances. Staying near your home allows you to work part-time while studying. Most PhDs require only occasional visits to the university, so you may opt to take the course far from home, then travel when necessary. Alternatively, you could move closer to your university for greater immersion into the social scene and a closer connection to the student community.

If you choose to study away from home, contact your chosen university’s accommodation office first. Many university towns have student accommodation in place, but spots tend to go quickly, so apply early. Next, research on- and off-campus accommodation. Check online local listings and bulletin boards for private rentals.

Social Life

Check out student life on social media. What organizations do they have? Are they the sort you would want to join?

Staff/Student Ratio

The more staff available to each student, the better.

Choose From These Categories of Institutions

• Public Universities (aka state colleges)—open to anyone who qualifies. They’re funded by state governments. Being larger, they can accommodate many students and offer a wide variety of degree programs. Some offer scholarships.
• Private Non-Profit Colleges —their tuition is much higher than that of state universities or community colleges, but they don’t profit from it. As they’re smaller, they offer specific courses and specialized degrees. They receive funds only from tuition fees and donations.
• Private For-Profit Colleges —similar to non-profits in course study and general cost, but they’re set up as a business. This affects the type of degree programs offered.
• Liberal Arts Colleges —offer one expansive area of study rather than specific degree tracks. As they’re smaller, instructors give you more attention. Though most focus on undergraduate education, some offer good postgraduate degree programs too. Campus culture is quite different from that of a traditional university.
• Online Postgraduate Colleges —perfect for those juggling jobs and family as it offers flexibility in assignment completion. Most coursework and classroom discussions are held online, but you may have to go to a physical classroom part of the time, especially as you get closer to graduation. An online degree is as valuable as one you physically attend.

Ask Your Intended University These Questions

• What are my chances of finding a job after graduation? See the career prospects below.
• How flexible is your program? This depends on the subject area. The Humanities and the Arts offer a greater degree of flexibility than science-oriented ones. North American institutions offer slightly less flexibility than their European counterparts. See whether you can pick and choose components, or if the whole program is indelibly fixed from beginning to end.
• What research resources are available? Decent computer networks and an equipped library are not enough. Serious research requires office-based administration support, reprographic services, and essentials of a proper business center. Disregard any institution that lacks support.
• How versatile is your department? Some departments prefer one research method. Others favor newer ones, non-traditional teaching styles, or a radical approach. Extensive departments offer a wider spectrum of methods and potential areas of study. You may thrive better with a broader tradition of research methodologies or value the security of knowing what is expected of you.
• What are your non-academic amenities? Also, check out other facilities, like leisure programs, for maintaining a work/life balance. Small universities in remote towns offer lesser cultural or social options.

How to Get Into a Top Institution

Entry into the top 10 or 15 schools is extremely competitive. Focus on getting exceptional recommendations, experience, grades, and GRE scores. Most departments appoint a small committee of four to six faculty members for admissions. The committee changes every year, so results are hard to predict.

Work on research projects with professors. Try before you commit. Become a research assistant (RA) in your department or secure RA jobs with professors in top departments in your area. This will help with references and your statement.

How to Fund Your Studies

The cost of traditional programs can vary between $20,000 to $60,000 per year. Shorter programs are cheaper. If a PhD is going to drown you in debt, think twice. Attend an institution with full funding if you can. This is often a barter deal: free tuition in exchange for research and teaching.

Another reason for applying in advance is to give plenty of time to arrange funding. Deadlines for application for funding can be as early as December for studies beginning in the fall. Many students can get part or full funding through scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, loans, and government assistance. Help is also available for parents, such as childcare subsidies, single-parent grants, bursaries, and free school meals for children.

Some PhD students will receive a university stipend with an assistantship position, but this varies between institutions and between departments within institutions. This is an example from Cornell University . Many government schemes like The Fulbright Program offer scholarships.

You can also obtain bursaries from abroad. An example is the Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries in the UK, open to all nationalities. In Canada, senior citizens can have their tuition waived for one undergraduate and graduate degree.

What to Do After Admission

Once you’ve secured funding and accommodation, these are the next steps:

Find a Supervisor

Write your research proposal if you’re self-proposing your PhD. Then find an institution and a supervising academic to support you during your research. Choose those with whom you’ll work well. To achieve this, you must network and meet people in your field of research.

Apply for an Assistantship

Doctorate assistantships are advertised on university websites and wherever academic jobs are advertised. Applications for these are very competitive, so apply for several.

Clarify Duties in Your Department

While researching and writing, many PhD students take on additional responsibilities, such as helping professors and lecturers with their classes or marking and evaluating undergraduate work. These extra tasks may be paid or not.

Prepare for Your Dissertation Early

A dissertation is a means to contribute new knowledge, theories, or practices to your field. Introduce an entirely new concept, develop it, and defend its worth. Your dissertation should be around 70,000 to 100,000 words.

Your subject area will determine if you have to write your dissertation while attending classes or do so after research completion. Regardless, preps always help at crunch time.

You are expected to defend your dissertation with a public presentation. Afterward, you will have a private session with the dissertation committee to evaluate if you’ve earned your doctorate. This is why it’s important to have a positive relationship with faculty, peers, and supervisors.

Career Prospects 

What type of job can you expect after graduation?

Traditionally, graduate school hones students to become future scholars and live an intellectual life, produce innovative research, and become professors at four-year institutions. Fulfilling research careers are plentiful, but there are other ways PhD recipients can use their degrees to benefit society. For instance, they can pursue alternative academic careers in K-12 administration or the nonprofit sector.

The top 10 to 20 schools staff the top 100 to 200 universities. So PhDs outside the top 30 schools are unlikely to lead to careers in research universities, though this varies by discipline. Graduates of lower-ranked programs can work for the government or at teaching universities, international institutions, and think tanks. Job satisfaction rates are usually high.

If you aim to teach in a business department in a community college or a four-year school, an MBA may be enough. You need a doctorate, however, for a full-time job at a four-year teaching-focused school. Community colleges may hire you full-time with just a master’s, but you’ll be competing against those with doctorates.

Jobs should properly compensate you for the time spent completing your PhD. Ask your targeted institutions what the employment rate is for their graduates and their links to prospective employers. Institutions with strong ties to private companies offer more chances of future employment.

Ultimately, it boils down to your chosen subject matter. Some PhD courses like law will definitely enhance your career. Non-vocational fields like Greek mythology, however, are less likely to improve your future earning capacity or alter your career trajectory. Intellectually, of course, the reward is priceless.

Advantages of Being an Older Student

The obvious one is that your decision to return to university is likely the result of planning over several years, not a rushed, uneducated hack at the dartboard. This gives you ample time to choose your field of study.

Your work experience, professionalism, people skills, and ability to manage multiple commitments will prove invaluable throughout your studies. Course tutors also treat older students differently than their younger, undergraduate counterparts—in a good way.

Keeping Up With the Young Ones

Despite there being no age barriers in a PhD entry, age makes a difference somewhat on campus. The gap in the life experience of a young adult and a mature student is vast. The ramifications for the latter have to do with social life, interactions during class discussions and group projects, and how older students are treated by professors and non-academic staff.

For an Equal Footing…

Join organizations, societies, and sports clubs. These aren’t exclusive to undergraduate students. Not all activities are drunken, drug-crazed meet-ups. Being a part of a campus association could benefit your career development in the way of learning a unique skill or developing a new interest.

Maintaining a Balance

Many mature students return to school juggling study with family and work commitments. This makes prioritizing studies challenging. Some, especially working moms, feel guilty about not giving everyone equal attention. So they study part-time or employ creative means to manage their time.

Avenues of Support

As a mature student, you may wonder how you’ll cope with the demands of scholastic life as you’ve been out of academia for many years and can’t remember the last time you wrote an essay.

Fear not. Most universities run workshops on topics like researching, essay writing, referencing, and library use—usually at the start of the academic year. Approach your university for help with matters off-limits to family and friends. Ask your tutor for advice. Your cohort group is also a source of support and shared experiences.

The Value of Networking 

Although a PhD elevates academic achievement, it doesn’t guarantee employment in your field. Networking adds value to your career and provides growth opportunities. Relationships ease career transitions needed to pursue better opportunities. Give back by sharing your connections and expertise.

Ageism and Sexism in Academia

US universities may not be perfect, but education-related discrimination is minimal compared to many countries. Be thankful for this, and take advantage of the privilege. To illustrate what women PhD applicants have to deal with in other countries, in China , you cannot apply for a PhD after age 40.

In the Philippines, admissions departments ask invasive questions and request antiquated requirements, such as copies of marriage certificates. These are requested from both foreign and local applicants but ONLY WOMEN. You may think this requirement is from a patriarchal provincial college, but it’s an item from actual requirement lists from two of the country’s Ivy League universities, which are supposed to be progressive.

The pursuit of a PhD is a life-changer. We trust the pathways we presented will help you make the right choice based on your needs and preferred course of study. Good luck with your aspirations in higher education, which will hopefully lead to your dream career. The fulfillment will surely be unparalleled. 

A Scottish student in her 50s encapsulates the postgraduate sentiment impeccably: “There is value to being an older PhD student, and there is value to universities having us. There just needs to be more of us.”

• PhD Studies: Three Reasons Why It’s Never Too Late to Get a PhD
• The New York Times: Taking On the PhD Later in Life
• The Independent: Real late starter—age is no obstacle if you’re motivated
• World Economic Forum: Which countries have the most doctoral graduates?
• The World University Rankings: Best Universities in the United States 2020
• The World University Rankings: World University Rankings 2020
• Berkeley Graduate Division: Graduate Programs & Deadlines to Apply
• Berkeley News: National Research Council ranks UC Berkeley’s PhD programs among nation’s best
• Thesis Rush: Can You Get A PhD Without Masters? Let’s Find Out!
• Senior Living Blog: University-Based Retirement Communities
• Inside Higher Ed: Receiving Your Doctorate to Work at a Community College?
• Quora: What is the lowest accepted GPA for Harvard admission?
• How to apply for a Postgrad Solutions Study Bursary
• Save the Student: 10 ways American unis are different from UK unis
• Postgrad: PhD in UK
• Postgrad: PhD in USA
• Postgrad: Graduate School USA
• Postgrad: How To Get A PhD
• Postgrad: Studying for a PhD—the basics
• Postgrad: 5 Steps to Getting Ready for Postgrad Study in the USA
• Postgrad: Common PhD Myths
• Postgrad: What? Where? Why? When? How? Is A Phd Right For Me?
• Postgrad: 5 Things To Ask When Looking For A Phd
• Postgrad: What Are the Different Types of Postgraduate University in the US?
• Postgrad: PhD Studentships

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50 Best Scholarships for Ph.D. Students

Reviewed by David Krug David Krug is a seasoned expert with 20 years in educational technology (EdTech). His career spans the pivotal years of technology integration in education, where he has played a key role in advancing student-centric learning solutions. David's expertise lies in marrying technological innovation with pedagogical effectiveness, making him a valuable asset in transforming educational experiences. As an advisor for enrollment startups, David provides strategic guidance, helping these companies navigate the complexities of the education sector. His insights are crucial in developing impactful and sustainable enrollment strategies.

Updated: April 23, 2024 , Reading time: 27 minutes

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“First, you get your bachelor’s degree, and you think you know everything. Then, you get your master’s degree, and you realize you don’t know anything. Then you get your doctorate, and you find out that nobody knows anything.”

While we can’t find information on who said these words, we can’t help but laugh! You, a student pursuing your doctoral degree, may even laugh at it because there’s a grain of truth to it. Your doctoral dissertation, after all, will likely be about creating new knowledge or building on old knowledge because “nobody knows anything” in a manner of speaking. 

But why are you pursuing a doctoral degree when your master’s degree will suffice for most jobs? There are even people who believe that it’s a waste of time and money for many reasons. Some people push for it because of the numerous benefits that it brings.

So, which one’s a better perspective? A doctoral degree is about contributing to the existing body of knowledge through original research. It is considered an introduction to independent research in your chosen field, with your doctoral dissertation as the first of many intellectual masterpieces .

Let’s first take a look at the unfavorable view because there’s also some merit to it. For one thing, there’s the cost of doctoral education that, in U.S. universities, the average is $133,340 . In Ivy League universities, the cost can be higher – at Harvard University, for example, the full tuition needed for the first two years of study is $54,032, exclusive of health insurance, housing, books and supplies, and food expenses.

Yes, indeed, it isn’t cheap to get a doctoral degree in the United States , not even in one of the lesser-known universities!

In addition, there’s a sense of dissatisfaction among doctoral students. You may feel, at one point, that you’re doing slave labor, no thanks to the 10-hour workdays and low pay during your research.

Your employment prospects may also seem uncertain, considering the competition due to the oversupply of Ph.D. holders. The number of Ph.D. holders exceeds the number of employment opportunities for them, too! Such a disconnection partly stems from the high degree of specialization required to get a doctoral degree, not to mention that Ph.D. holders have high employment expectations.

Still, the number of doctoral degree holders in the U.S. has more than doubled between 2000 and 2018! In 2000, there were 2 million Ph.D. holders, and by 2018, there were already 4.5 million. Why do people pursue doctoral degrees despite the myriad of challenges that come with them?

Here’s why.

• You have a clear edge in getting higher positions and, thus, higher pay. Studies have shown that a Ph.D. is a contributing factor toward earning over 20% more than people with master’s degrees. In a PayScale comparison, Ph.D. holders earned $107,000 per year, on average, while master’s degree holders earned $84,000 .
• Your specialized knowledge and skills are highly marketable. You will likely enjoy a flexible career path, whether you choose a career in public service or the private sector. Your career will also be characterized by the highest lifetime earning potential and the lowest unemployment rate! Your Ph.D. training will also strengthen your critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills, which are highly sought after by employers.
• You will be a recognized knowledge creator, a rare skill sought after by society and employers, too. You have gained both the discipline and ability to search for, introduce, and defend new knowledge, even under the most stringent scrutiny. Your competencies will lead to a leadership position as you gain respect and prestige.

Are you still worried about the financial expenses of getting a Ph.D. in your field? We completely understand that $ 50,000 plus per year plus the difficulties of juggling work, studies, and family responsibilities will break a person. But you can achieve your doctoral degree through scholarships and grants!

This isn’t a new concept either, as millions of Ph.D. holders have also achieved such a lofty goal. Many of them have been scholars and fellows for most, if not all, of their studies – and it’s a path you can take, too, with plenty of planning and networking.

You have dozens, if not hundreds, of scholarship and fellowship opportunities in your field of study, not to mention the ones offered without restrictions as to the field of study. The trick here is to diligently look for these opportunities, applying to as many as you are qualified for, and complying with the requirements.

You may have to apply every semester or academic year for a new scholarship or fellowship, but it’s worth the time and effort. You could be lucky and be one whose studies were financed through scholarships and grants from year one, although luck has little to do with it because you spent time looking and qualifying for the scholarships you deserve!

Here, we present you with 50 of the Best Scholarships and Fellowships for Doctoral Students that we think are worthy of your consideration.

April 2024 Deadline

IBRO Travel Grants

• Type of Scholarship: Annual
• Amount: $2,500 
• Deadline of Application: April 30, 2024

IBRO Travel Grants support PhD students and early-career post-doctoral neuroscientists by covering travel and local expenses for conferences. Preference is given to under-resourced, less well-funded countries. Nevertheless, students studying and residing in the United States can still apply for the grant. 

ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $50,000 (shared)
• Deadline of Application: April 29, 2024 

The ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship is available to all types of students, including PhDs. Applicants can win multiple awards with a $50,000 scholarship, with four monthly winners earning $1,000 each and two additional winners in December 2024. Applicants must be residents of any 50 United States, District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories, except for Rhode Island and Michigan.

May 2024 Deadline

Separations Division Graduate Student Research Award

• Amount: $200 + plaque
• Deadline of Application: May 1, 2024 

AIChE is the leading global organization for chemical engineering professionals. It boasts over 60,000 members from 110 countries and administers over 60 awards, including monetary prizes, certificates, and medals. The $200 award may seem small, but the benefits extend far beyond its monetary value.

This award honors outstanding graduate scholars in separations, recognizing their contributions to fundamentals and applications and awarding a plaque. Recipients gain recognition within the field, enhancing their professional credibility and giving them access to new opportunities. 

“Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

• Type of Scholarship: Annual (Non-renewable)
• Amount: $25,055
• Deadline of Application: May 1, 2024

Bold.org offers a $25,000 “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship to students with the boldest profiles. The scholarship is based on the characteristics of being earnest, determined, and moving. It is similar to many easy scholarships available on Bold.org and will be awarded to students who apply earlier. The scholarship is open to students at any education level, state, field of study, and GPA.

Valuing Diversity PhD Scholarship

• Amount: Varies
• Deadline of Application: May 27, 2024, 1:00 PM

The Valuing Diversity PhD scholarship program was made to encourage underrepresented populations to attend marketing doctoral programs. The amount given to applicants depends on the program’s funding and the number of recipients. If you’ve applied for this scholarship opportunity before, you can still reapply. 

Applicants should be enrolled in and have completed at least one year of an on-campus AACSB-accredited marketing or advertising doctoral program. Two signed letters of recommendation are required.

Wenner-Gren Foundation Dissertation Fieldwork Grant

• Type of Scholarship: Annual (Non-renewable) 
• Amount: $25,000 
• Deadline of Application: May 1, 2024 (for January 1 and June 30, 2025 projects) November 1, 2024 (for July 1 to December 31, 2025 projects)

Applicants must be on-campus enrollees of an AACSB-accredited marketing or advertising doctorate and have completed at least one year. Two signed letters of recommendation are required.

Independent Research Awards (pediatric cardiology)

• Type of Scholarship: Annual (Renewable)
• Amount: $150,000 up to 2 years
• Deadline of Application: May 22, 2024 (letters of intent); and September 11, 2024 (full application)

The Children’s Heart Foundation funds research affecting patients with congenital heart disease. This award is given to doctoral students in clinical cardiology, translational research, and population science. It gives priority to researchers focusing on advancing the diagnosing, treating, and preventing congenital heart defects.

ASH Graduate Student Scholarships

• Amount: $5,000 
• Deadline of Application: May 22, 2024

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation offers Graduate Student Scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students in communication sciences and disorders. These scholarships include International Student Scholarships, Minority Student Scholarships, and NSSLHA Scholarships for racial or ethnic minority students.

Applicants must be accepted in U.S. graduate communication sciences and disorders programs accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation. They must be full-time students for the entire academic year.

Graduate Fellowship in the History of Science

• Deadline of Application: May 24, 2024 

The American Meteorological Society Graduate Fellowship in the History of Science supports students completing dissertations on atmospheric, oceanic, or hydrologic sciences. This fellowship aims to foster close working relations and provide a $20,000 stipend for one year. Applicants must submit a cover letter, transcripts, a detailed dissertation topic description, and three letters of recommendation.

Sheep Heritage Foundation Memorial Scholarship

• Amount: $3,000
• Deadline of Application: May 31, 2024

Although less known, the sheep industry is a big contributor to the country’s economy. The Sheep Heritage Foundation Memorial Scholarship, administered by the American Sheep Industry Association, is a large program for students pursuing sheep-related studies. This Fund is given out yearly to those dedicated to helping advance the U.S. sheep industry, wool, and lamb.

Applicants must have U.S. citizenship, involvement in sheep and wool research, and be enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. institution.

June 2024 Deadline

John Santos Distinguished Program Development in Clinical Gerontology Award

• Amount: $1,500
• Deadline of Application: June 1, 2024

John Santos, a retired Retirement Research Fund board member, established an award in 2009 to honor the contributions of psychologists and students working with older adults. Candidates must be nominated and endorsed by a division member, providing a letter of nomination, CV, evidence of impact, and two additional letters of support.

Kay F. Fullwood Northeast Florida Geriatric Nursing Scholarship Fund

The scholarship is open to nursing students in Northeast Florida enrolled in an accredited graduate program focusing on geriatrics and practicing geriatric N.P.s in an accredited DNP program. 

Henry and Sylvia Richardson Research Grant

• Type of Scholarship: Annual 

The grant, established by Henry and Sylvia Richardson, offers research funds to post-doctoral ESA members with at least one year of experience in insect control. The recipient must be an ESA member and a highly skilled scholar working with insect control methods like attractants, repellents, biological controls, thermocontrols, or chemical controls.

F.J. McGuigan Dissertation Award

• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline of Application: June 5, 2024

The F. J. McGuigan Dissertation Award supports research on mental function and understanding the mind from behavioral and neural perspectives. The award is open to any area of behavioral or brain science. Applicants must meet specific criteria: quality, viability, originality, competence, and resource allocation. Candidates must have finished their PhD candidacy and received committee approval for their dissertation.

Aylesworth Scholarship 

• Deadline of Application: June 12, 2024

The Aylesworth Scholarship offers support to students enrolled in universities across Florida. Eligible applicants can pursue research in any academic field that pertains to marine sciences, provided their institution participates in the Florida Sea Grant program. 

To qualify, candidates must be U.S. residents, actively seeking a doctoral degree, and studying disciplines such as ocean science, biology, engineering, economics, marine science, or food science. Additionally, applicants must be full-time students attending a Florida-based institution and demonstrate financial need to be considered for this scholarship.

Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship  

• Deadline of Application: June 15, 2024

This is one of the most inclusive scholarships, open to U.S. students with U.S. citizenship or a valid Visa/U.S. passport. However, because recipients are picked through a random draw, those affiliating with Niche cannot apply. This includes employees, officers, directors, and their children, grandchildren, or those affiliated with Niche’s other partnering organizations. 

This scholarship is also only applicable to students planning to study in one of Niche’s listed colleges .

Wayne F. Placek Grants

• Amount: Up to $15,000

The Wayne F. Placek Grant, which has been awarded over $1 million since 1995, aims to enhance public understanding of homosexuality and sexual orientation. It helps fund research and initiatives for doctoral students that focus on alleviating stress experienced by the LGBTQ community. This includes addressing prejudice, discrimination, and underrepresentation in scientific research.

APF welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, including doctoral-level researchers and graduate students, and encourages early career researchers and graduate students.

CVS Health / AACP Community Pharmacy Health Equity Award for Student Pharmacists

• Amount: $20,000 
• Deadline of Application: June 16, 2024

This award is given to 21 students annually who demonstrate high academic performance and those who overcome financial barriers. Underrepresented minority, disabled, and military service students are encouraged to apply. The award recognizes leadership, academic success, and commitment to patient care in underserved communities.

The Springfield Research Fund Dissertation Fellowship

• Amount: Up to $10,000

Springfield Research Fund Dissertation Fellowship offers graduate students the opportunity to research contemporary LGBTQIA+ issues, aiming to dispel stereotypes and negative information contributing to prejudice and discrimination. Intersectional stigmas will be prioritized in 2024. It offers a $10,000 fund for each recipient, with a $1,000 bonus upon publication. 

Applicants must have begun their doctoral studies in a regionally accredited university. They must submit a dissertation abstract, statement of need, and CV.

ONS Foundation Josh Gottheil Memorial Stem Cell Transplant Development Award

Josh’s Fund, established in 1994, awards educational grants to oncology nurses to support their professional development. It also establishes endowments for emotional and mental support. 

Among ONF’s several awards is the Josh Gottheil Memorial Stem Cell Transplant Development. It aims to offer financial assistance to non-advanced practice-level registered nurses in stem cell transplantation and bone marrow. Applicants must have one or more years in practice.

Dr. James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award

• Amount: $10,000
• Deadline of Application: June 2024

The Dr. James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award is given annually to periodontology residents who are advancing clinical therapies in periodontal regeneration. U.S. students in their second and third years of periodontal residency are eligible for this award. Applicants must also have completed original research and published a manuscript advancing periodontal regeneration clinical therapies.

The Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarships

• Amount: $30,000 up to 400,000 (international coursework or research of up to 4 years)
• Deadline of Application: June 30, 2024

The Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarships program is open to full-time Ph.D. students involved in peace and conflict prevention or resolution, disease prevention and treatment, and water and sanitation. Applications can be made via a local Rotary Club chapter, and the chapter must sponsor non-Rotarians applying for the scholarship. The chapter creates the applicants’ initial application, and the latter then completes the online scholar profile.

The amount can be used for various costs, including passport/visa, travel expenses, tuition and other fees, vaccinations, school supplies, room and board, and household supplies. Application is year-round. However, scholarship applications for August, September, or October studies must be submitted by 30 June.  

July 2024 Deadline

Marketing Research Grant

• Deadline of Application: July 15, 2024

Offered by the Harold & Muriel Berkman Charitable Foundation, Inc., this Marketing Research Grant is applicable to students enrolled in an AACSB-accredited program. It gives priority to applicants who are focused on scientific research and knowledge production in business administration. 

Marian R. Stuart Grant

• Amount: Up to $20,000
• Deadline of Application: July 10, 2024

The APF Marian R. Stuart Grant offers up to 20,000 USD to early-career researchers researching mental and physical health. While APF welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, preference is given to psychologists in medical schools.

MNF Ph.D. Research Grants

• Deadline of Application: July 12, 2024

The Mississippi Nurses Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises, accepts, and distributes charitable donations to enhance Mississippi’s professional nursing and overall health. Among its scholarships is the MNF Ph.D. Research Grants, which aim to help nursing professionals complete their original research. Applicants must be in good standing in a PhD Nursing program in Mississippi, a Mississippi resident, and a Mississippi Nurses Association member.

August 2024 Deadline

Brigadier General Albin F. Irzyk Veteran Scholarship

• Deadline of Application: Opens May 1, 2024, ends August 31, 2024 

The Harold and Muriel Berkman Charitable Foundation has established a scholarship in honor of Brigadier General Albin F. Irzyk, renowned for his World War II and Vietnam War achievements. This scholarship program accepts applicants from online and on-campus AACSB-accredited degree programs. It is awarded to an exceptional veteran applicant, chosen by the review committee from the finalists.

Carole Bailey Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000
• Deadline of Application: September 18, 2024

The Carole Bailey Scholarship is offered by the AccessLex Institute, an organization focused on promoting quality legal education for purpose-driven students. This scholarship program, awarded annually to ABA-accredited law students, provides up to $5,000 for those committed to public service in a legal career.

September 2024 Deadline

YIVO Institute for Jewish Research Fellowships 

• Deadline of Application: Opens September 2024

The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research is a leading institution preserving and studying East European Jewry’s history and culture. The institute offers several fellowship programs to encourage more students to pursue research in the field and contribute to YIVO’s archives and library collections.

$5,000 awards: 

• YIVO – Joseph Kremen Memorial Fellowship: Available for postgraduate researchers studying Eastern European Jewish arts, theater, and music. 
• YIVO- Dora and Meyer Tendler Fellowship: Available for student researchers of American Jewish history and the Jewish labor movement. 
• YIVO- Abraham and Rachela Melezin Memorial Fellowship: The scholarship supports original doctoral research in Baltic Jewish studies for 2-3 months.
• YIVO-  Workmen’s Circle/Dr. Emanuel Patt Visiting Professorship: Offered to postgraduate Eastern European Jewish Studies students. This can be combined with other YIVO fellowships. 

$3,000 awards: 

• YIVO Vladimir and Pearl Heifetz Memorial Fellowship: Available for East European Jewish Literature researchers.
• YIVO Dina Abramowicz Emerging Scholar Fellowship: Intended for post-doctoral research focus on Eastern European Jewish Studies.
• YIVO Aleksander and Alicja Hertz Memorial Fellowship: The Fund supports research on Polish-Jewish history, including modern relations, the Holocaust, and Jewish contributions to Polish literature and culture.

Every fellow is also required to deliver a public lecture regarding their research. The research period should be between 2 and 3 months only. Interested applicants should submit a written summary of their respective research on acceptable topics.

YIVO – Fellowship in East European Jewish Studies

• Amount: $18,000 stipend 
• Deadline of Application: Opens in September 2024

The combined Professor Bernard Choseed Memorial Fellowship and the Natalie and Mendel Racolin Memorial Fellowship come with many benefits. Aside from the financial stipend, three months of free access to the YIVO Library and Archives are also offered for research. They, on the other hand, will be required to deliver at least two public lectures on Jewish studies.

October 2024 Deadline

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF)

• Amount: Varies 
• Deadline of Application: Opens October 1, 2024

NEF offers several scholarship opportunities for doctoral students in the field of nursing, many of which are the result of endowments by notable nursing practitioners who want to support the continued education of professional nurses. 

• The NEF/Johnson and Johnson Health Equity Scholarship program promotes the research, advocacy and clinical practice of nursing professionals interested in underrepresented groups and addressing the health inequalities and disparities in these populations. 
• The AJN/Thelma Schorr Scholarship program has a preference for nurses with nursing leadership potential. 
• The Cynthia Davis Sculco Scholarship permanent program awarded scholarships to nurses studying nursing education at the doctoral level. 
• The M. Elizabeth Carnegie African American Scholarship program is for black nurses in doctoral degree programs. 

American Cancer Society Post-doctoral Fellowships

• Amount: Up to $66,000
• Deadline of Application: Oct. 15, 2024

ACS, the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit organization funding scientists and doctorates studying cancer, offers grants and fellowships managed by the Extramural Discovery Science (EDS) team. The Post-doctoral Fellowships are designed to help new investigators in research training programs, preparing them for independent careers in cancer research. Program funding includes

• progressive stipends of up to $70k for up to 3 years,
• an annual fellowship allowance of $4k, and
• a $1,500 travel fund. 

The application is open to U.S. citizens or non-citizens with an appropriate visa and within four years of obtaining a doctoral degree.

November 2024 Deadline

NCTM & AMTE Early Career Research Grant

• Amount: $10,000 each, maximum 
• Deadline of Application: November 1, 2024 

Granted in partnership with Eugene P. & Clara M. Smith Mathematics Education Research Fund, the Early Career Research Grant accepts applications from doctoral candidates pursuing math education degrees. The grant must be used in supporting their doctoral research project, preferably projects that bridge research and practice. 

Note that early career math educators or those who have completed either an EdD or PhD in math education or other related fields within the past five years are eligible to apply. Doctoral students will only be considered if they have advanced to candidacy status in accredited programs. 

Newberry Consortium in American Indian Studies Faculty Fellowship

• Amount: $5,000/month (Long-term fellowship for 4-9 months); $5,000/month (Short-term fellowship for a month only)
• Deadline of Application: November 1, 2024 (Long-term fellowship); December 15, 2024 (Short-term fellowship)

The American Indian Studies Faculty Fellowship is intended for scholars in the early stages of their careers who are involved in American Indian studies, specifically research in the Newberry Consortium collections. Doctoral students are welcome to apply. The monthly stipend can be used for a wide range of education-related expenses, too.

Fellows receive the NCAIS research carrel and other fellowship privileges, as well as perform responsibilities related to their research. These include research presentations, seminar participation, and consultation with other NCAIS Graduate Student Fellows.

AIA Fellowship for Study in the U.S.

• Deadline of Application: November 1, 2024

The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) offers post-doctoral research fellowships for archaeologists working at Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (DAI) or its project collaborators. The fellowships are for either fall 2024 or spring 2025 in selected universities, including the University of Cincinnati, the Joukowsky Institute at Brown University, or the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

Fellows are provided with financial support for travel expenses, a stipend for living expenses, and residency at a university housing or rental housing, as well as library privileges. The residency lasts for 2-3 months only, during which time the Fellows are expected to give a minimum of one lecture at their respective host university. 

Applications should include a duly filled-up online application form, a curriculum vitae, and two references, among others.

National Gem Consortium Ph.D. Engineering Fellowship

• Amount: $16,000 living stipend for the first academic year plus a paid summer internship
• Deadline of Application: November 8, 2024

The National GEM Consortium in Engineering Fellowship is open to Ph.D. students belonging to the minority, and who have been accepted into a doctoral program straight from a bachelor’s degree program or who have earned a master’s in Engineering. Fellows can be enrolled in any of the participating GEM member universities. 

The above-mentioned stipend applies to the first academic year of fellowship for a Ph.D. Engineering/Science Fellow. After that, the fellow will enjoy a continued living stipend up to the fifth year of Ph.D. studies through a combination of alternative funding sources. The fellow will also have his tuition and fees paid for by the GEM university member.

American Association of University Women American Fellowship Summer/Short-Term Research Publication Grants

• Amount: $8,000–$50,000
• Deadline of Application: November 30, 2024

The Summer/Short-Term Research Publication Grant is the oldest female-specific scholarship program for graduate students. Of course, only female graduate students are considered, and they must either be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applicants should also be available for eight consecutive weeks during the summer.

The American Association of University Women’s selection committee applies strict criteria in choosing the annual crop of scholars. The criteria include academic excellence, project originality, project design quality, project scholarly significance to the discipline, and project feasibility. The applicant’s qualifications are also considered.

History of Art Institutional Fellowships

• Amount: $30,000
• Deadline of Application: November 30, 2024 at 5 PM EST

Devoted to studying European art, architecture, and archaeology heritage, the Samuel H. Kress Foundation chooses six applicants each year to receive up to $30,000 worth of research grants. Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program focused on antiquity to the early 19th century. They should also be completing all higher degree work except dissertation.  

Patty and Paul Levi Research Award

The Patty and Paul Levi Research Award, offered by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation, grants a predoctoral student or students annually. They should be doing research related to preventative periodontology under faculty supervision. The applicant can apply post-graduation, provided their research was conducted during predoctoral studies, and must submit their current C.V.s. 

December 2024 Deadline

SMART Scholarship Program

• Amount: Up to $46,000
• Deadline of Application: December 1, 2024

SMART, a Department of Defense-funded scholarship program, provides full tuition, stipends, and guaranteed employment for STEM students pursuing degrees in 24 disciplines. It aims to increase underrepresented students’ participation in the DoD STEM workforce, particularly for high school seniors in Historically Black colleges and universities.

Norman S. Baldwin Fishery Science Scholarship

Norman S. Baldwin, the inaugural executive secretary of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, guided the organization for 15 years until his untimely passing in 1971. The Norman S. Baldwin Fishery Science Scholarship seeks to inspire talented graduate students to pursue advanced research in fishery biology and Great Lakes science, prioritizing scientific excellence and innovative inquiry.

The chosen candidates will be awarded $3,000 scholarships each, with the Awards Committee distributing them as needed. Applicants must be master’s or Ph.D. students with relevant research topics who have not been previously awarded. 

David M. Dolan Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000 
• Deadline of Application: December 1, 2024 

David M. Dolan’s scholarship, which started in 2014, honors students conducting graduate research in statistics, mathematical modeling, data analysis, or quantitative decision support to advance the understanding and management of Great Lakes ecosystems. The scholarship is open to exceptional students whose graduate research aligns with Dr. Dolan’s work on Great Lakes ecosystems but not relatives of IAGLR officers or directors.

Applicants must submit an extended abstract and a brief title for their proposed research. It should highlight how the study of the Great Lakes relates to the use of applied environmental statistics and modeling. In addition to the $3,000, recipients will receive a one-year membership in the IAGLR.

Lawren H. Daltroy Preceptorship in Health Communication

• Amount: Up to $15,000 per year 
• Deadline of Application: December 2, 2024 by 5 PM EST

The Lawren H. Daltroy Preceptorship in Health Communication from the Rheumatology Research Foundation supports student, researcher, and clinician training in rheumatology. They are among the top supporters of those who dedicate their studies to enhancing patient-clinician interactions and communications. 

Eligible candidates include trainees, junior researchers, and health professionals without funding. Projects must address patient-clinician interactions and communications, including small-scale research, curriculum creation, participation in education, patient-facing materials, health literacy/numeracy studies, and shared decision-making in healthcare settings.

AWWA Abel Wolman Scholarship

• Amount: $30,000 for one year (If necessary, a fellow can apply and be approved for the second year of financial support)
• Deadline of Application: December 2024

Students who are pursuing advanced training and research, including doctoral studies in water supply and treatment and its related fields, can apply for the Abel Wolman Fellowship. The doctoral fellowship provides financial support for up to two years to an outstanding student. Applications can be sent to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and more information can be seen on its site.

AWWA Larson Aquatic Research Support Scholarships

• Amount: $7,000/student

Made in honor of Dr. Larson, the Larson Aquatic Research Support (LARS) scholarship is available for outstanding doctoral students engaged in the fields of science and engineering. The selection committee chooses one doctoral student every year for the scholarship, with an emphasis on excellent academics and leadership potential.

Applications must include a resume, official transcripts, three recommendation letters, and GRE scores as well as a course of study. Be sure to submit your research plans, too, with your application.

Martin Frank Diversity Travel Awards

• Amount: Up to $1,500 in travel support 
• Deadline of Application: December 8, 2024

The Martin Frank Diversity Travel Award program aims to increase participation in physiological sciences among trainees and early career faculty from historically underrepresented backgrounds. It provides travel awards to students and professionals interested in attending the American Physiology Summit. Recipients receive travel reimbursement, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The program is open to specific underrepresented populations defined by the NIH .

National Gem Consortium Ph.D. Science Scholarship

• Amount: $16,000 living stipend plus a paid summer internship

The National Gem Consortium’s PhD Science Scholarship is exclusive for students belonging to the minority in their first year of doctoral studies. Applicants should be pursuing a natural science discipline, such as earth science, chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, and computer science. The scholarship applies to an accredited GEM member university.

Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship or legal residency. Applicants must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and get promising GRE scores.

Frances C. Allen Fellowship

• Amount: $3,000 per month (1-2 month’s duration)
• Deadline of Application: December 15, 2024

The Frances C. Allen Fellowship is exclusive to women of American Indian heritage. Applicants must be engaged in studies related to the Newberry Research Library’s collections, and the fellow must use the resources at the Chicago, Illinois, library. Applicants should also write to the library for more details, although application forms are available on the official website.

Gil Kushner Memorial Travel Award

• Amount: $750 in travel support 
• Deadline of Application: December 20, 2024

Gilbert Kushner was key in establishing applied anthropology as a graduate discipline. Gil has made USF’s Department of Anthropology among the most thriving applied research centers. The $750 travel expense award is given annually to a select few who want to attend the SfAA annual meeting.

Sallie Mae Scholarship

• Deadline of Application: December 31, 2024

Sallie Mae has launched a scholarship program for employees’ children pursuing college education. The program offers renewable scholarships for full-time study at an accredited institution, with eligibility determined by the sponsor. The scholarship is open to legal residents of the United States.

Year-round Scholarships

Lou Hochberg Thesis and Dissertation Awards 

• Type of Scholarship: Continuous
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline of Application: Continuous

While the Lou Hochberg scholarship’s $1,000 grant isn’t much, its eligibility requirements are relatively easy to comply with. The essays submitted should focus on the social, biophysical, and experimental aspects of Wilhelm Reich’s discoveries. These are then judged based on their clarity, merit, and accuracy, and there’s no deadline for submissions.

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We’re certain of one thing—your search for more information on picking the best graduate degree or school landed you here. Let our experts help guide your through the decision making process with thoughtful content written by experts.

How to Find Scholarships for Graduate School

Like for undergraduates, many scholarships and fellowships are available to students seeking a master's degree.

Finding Scholarships for Grad School

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Scholarships are usually merit-based – such as for a certain GPA, athletic ability or hobby – or based on a student's specific area of study or identity.

While it's well known that financial aid exists for undergraduates, many students are unaware that scholarships also are available for those seeking a graduate degree.

At San Diego State University , for instance, 29% of total scholarships were awarded to graduate students during the 2022-2023 cycle, says Kari Hooker, director of scholarships in the university's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Funding amounts and availability of scholarships for graduate students – who make up about 15% of the higher education student population, according to a 2020 Center for American Progress  report  on graduate school debt – vary by program. But every dollar counts, experts say.

"Not surprisingly, private colleges and universities are able to fund more scholarships due to their hefty endowments," Nellie Gaynor, a graduate school and MBA admissions counselor at Ivywise, an educational consulting firm, wrote in an email. "However, students need to review these scholarship ‘discounts’ in relation to the overall package that is being presented to them including academics, student life, location , fit and cost. Ultimately, scholarships are one piece of a larger puzzle when deciding which admissions offers to accept."

The application process differs depending on the graduate scholarship, but may require filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA , writing an essay and submitting a letter of recommendation .

For prospective professional and graduate students, here are some points to consider when tracking down scholarships to pay for an advanced degree .

The Difference Between Grants and Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are forms of financial aid that don't need to be paid back, also known as "gift aid."

Northern Arizona University 's Louis H. and Betty J. Quayle Scholarship, for instance, provides up to $4,000 per semester to part- and full-time graduate students who are members of a federally recognized Native American tribe or nation.

"Scholarships can come in all kinds of amounts and students can apply for several at a time to help cover the cost of tuition," Suzanne T. Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and advancing graduate education, wrote in an email.

Grants, however, are typically awarded at the college , state or federal level based on financial need, like the federal Pell Grant for low-income students. Pell Grants are generally for undergraduate students, but graduate students may be eligible for other federal grants.

Where to Look for Graduate School Scholarships

As aspiring graduate students start their search process, it's important to "really focus on the scholarships that are most appropriate for them and not put effort into scholarships where they are not truly eligible," Hooker says.

Different types of national graduate school scholarships are listed on database search websites, like Fastweb , Cappex and Unigo . GoGrad is another online resource that lists niche scholarships for prospective and current grad students.

"Often, what is called a scholarship in the undergraduate sphere is frequently called a fellowship in the graduate sphere," Ortega says. "So be sure to look for fellowships as well."

Institutional Scholarships

Students can reach out to the school's financial aid office or talk with a program department head or adviser to learn about degree- or research-specific scholarships, like teaching. As part of the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Program's Humanities Teaching Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania , for example, fellows are awarded a $32,000 scholarship.

"Most students will have to supplement their financial aid package with student loans (both federal and private), graduate assistantships, or work-study programs, Gaynor says. "With that being said, we have seen an increase in graduate and adult programs therefore leading to an increase in applications for graduate school admissions. Given the competitiveness in this space, schools are using school scholarships as a way to attract talent to their school."

Local Scholarships

Graduate students should not look past applying to local scholarships , which are usually less competitive than national scholarships, experts say. A student's employer , parent's employer or even place of worship, like a church or synagogue, may offer scholarships.

Another option is to find and join professional associations in a field of interest. For instance, undergraduate and graduate members of the National Black MBA Association, Inc., can apply for an award of up to $5,000.

The American Bar Association also awards $15,000 of financial aid over three years to underrepresented first-year law school students. About 10 to 20 incoming students receive the Legal Opportunity Scholarship each year.

When to Apply for Scholarships for Grad School

Deadlines for scholarships vary, but Ortega advises students to start their search as soon as they're accepted into a graduate program – if not before.

"You can apply to scholarships year-round, so always be on the lookout for new ones that pop up," she says. "Even if you planned to take out a student loan , you can still apply for scholarships to help reduce the amount of loan you need."

What's the Best Strategy to Win a Scholarship?

If there are short answers or essay questions in the application, Hooker advises students to write about what makes them unique.

"Try to be sincere and share what you are going through and how a scholarship would benefit you," she says. "We have a lot of students that work 20 plus hours a week. They need to let those committees know because those are the students that we want to support."

Before submitting a scholarship application, have a peer or undergraduate adviser review the application for grammar mistakes and other errors, experts say.

"An advantage of applying for scholarships as a graduate student versus an undergraduate is that you have more life and educational experience to draw from when writing a scholarship essay ," Ortega says. "Since graduate school programs are more focused on a specific area, it’s easier to speak to why you are pursuing this degree or area of research, which may be a compelling story for the scholarship application."

Searching for a grad school? Get our  complete rankings of Best Graduate Schools.

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•       Financial Aid       PhD Scholarships and Financial Aid

PAYING FOR YOUR PHD Expert Tips, Scholarships Opportunities and Resources for Financing an Advanced Degree

The average yearly tuition for a PhD program is slightly above $16,000, which means students will invest about $80,000 in tuition fees alone for a five-year program. Add in fees, cost-of-living, travel expenses and the figure can easily surpass six figures. Yet, it is possible to fund a PhD program without breaking the bank and going into debt.

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PHD COST BREAKDOWN

The value of a college education should not be understated, but neither should its actual cost. Earning a doctoral degree can be an expensive proposition. According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition and fees for a graduate program of study was $16,435 in 2012-2013. The table below outlines the 2012-2013 graduate tuition and fees by academic institution.

• All Institutions $16,435
• Public $10,408
• Private Non-Profit $23,698
• Private For-Profit $14,418

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

A rough calculation of the number of years it takes to complete a doctoral program, multiplied by the average 2012-2013 tuition and fees from the NCES, reveals the following total cost figures by academic field of study.

A five- to six-figure education is something to take seriously as there are debt implications after leaving finishing a PhD program. Graduating doctoral students in 2013 left school with an average debt of just over $15,000, according to the National Science Foundation. By field, students in the Social Sciences, Education and Humanities graduate with the highest levels of student debt:

• Education: $26,566
• Social Sciences: $26,222
• Humanities: $21,485

Conversely, the science and technology fields graduate students with the lowest debt figures:

• Physical Sciences: $6,342
• Engineering: $7,031
• Life Sciences: $11,905
• Physical Sciences 78.2%
• Engineering 75.1%
• Life Sciences 67.2%
• Humanities 48.4%
• Social Sciences 46.5%
• Education 44.1%

Source: National Science Foundation, Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2013

While these figures may seem alarming, a deeper dive into survey data from the National Science Foundation actually paints a more positive picture. Overall, more than 62 percent of all doctoral recipients graduate from school without a single dollar of debt.

Prospective students can use the table below to get a better sense of the percentage of students who take on debt at incremental levels in each field of academic study. A majority of students graduate with $10,000 or less in debt after finishing their doctoral degree.

PhD Cost Factors

The total cost of earning a doctoral degree is variable because of the sheer number of different factors involved. Tuition is not the only cost to consider when thinking about applying to a PhD program.

Typically, students pay full tuition rates during their first three years of doctoral study and receive reduced tuition rates for the remainder of the program. However, the actual cost of tuition does vary and may be dependent on the student’s actual degree program.

Graduate students pay a range of fees, with the most common including:

• Health Services (access to health facilities on campus)
• Health Insurance (personal health insurance)
• Student Activity (subsidizes athletics and other clubs)
• Student Recreation (access to recreational facilities on campus)

Some programs estimate students should be prepared to pay between $3,000 and $4,500 per academic year in student fees and health insurance costs.

Students with a master’s degree or coursework in a similar graduate program may be able to transfer credits into their doctoral program. That can lower the total number of credits required to graduate, which can lower the total cost of the degree. However, some institutions do limit the amount of tuition credits that can be applied for graduate work done in a related field at other institutions.

Whether or not the student has an assistantship does not affect the cost of textbooks and other academic materials. Books are a revolving charge, one a student should plan upon each semester or quarter.

Housing, utilities and food are considered indirect expenses students incur during their education. PhD students should plan on anywhere from $12,000 to $25,000 and up for living expenses each year. Again, this figure is highly variable based on the location of the university and the cost-of-living in that area.

Owning a car means additional budgeting for insurance, car payments and gas. Additionally, students may need to travel for conferences and research. Without funding from a graduate student association or grant program, the student will have to cover these costs individually.

PhD students with children may have to account for childcare costs. Purchasing a new computer and other supplies may also be required. This type of budgeting will vary from individual to individual, program to program.

Most PhD programs allow students to progress at their own pace, requiring them to complete and defend their dissertation within a certain time period (e.g. six years). However, the time it takes to complete a dissertation depends on the student, area of study, research, etc. This can impact cost of attending a doctoral program.

Example Cost of Attendance

A student’s budget should include the total cost of attendance—that is both direct (tuition and fees) and indirect costs (e.g. housing). This budget is the starting point for determining the student’s financial need, how much financial aid they require, and if they can afford to attend a doctoral program. Below is a sample five-year total cost of attendance chart based on an in-state tuition program, with a budget that assumes fixed costs for fees and indirect costs, such as housing. It also does not take into account assistantships and tuition waivers for assistants.

Based on a figure that’s slightly below the 2012-2013 average graduate tuition cost, the total cost of attendance can still produce sticker shock. An average student in a program that charges $12,000 per year in tuition could have to pay between $30,000 and $45,000 year in total costs.

PhD FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS

Prospective PhD candidates have an abundance of financial aid options to help fund their graduate studies. Typically, students are fully funded by a combination of sources, including scholarships, fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or student loans.

It is important for students to note that most sources of aid are awarded by individual academic programs, so they should follow-up with their department for up-to-date information.

Below is a high-level overview of the common types of graduate financial aid.

Prospective PhD candidates can turn to a variety of funding sources, including scholarships, grants, and fellowships to support their education financially. As discussed, most students use a combination of one or more of these funding sources to finance their degree program and research.

PhD students can apply for a variety of scholarships that award students with funds that can be used to help cover the cost of tuition, books and other fees.

Grants are similar to scholarships and are academic-based awards that can be used to augment other sources of financial aid.

Fellowships are a different type of funding that may encompass a scholarship or grant and can be used to fund research, study and teaching in the US and internationally. Many fellowships provide full tuition and a yearly stipend to students.

A PhD should never be an end in itself but rather a means to an end. The path to a PhD is an arduous one and should never be undertaken without serious thought to what it will bring the student. That said, there is money available for graduate study in most fields, and a student in the humanities should be very careful to apply to appropriate programs which fund their grad students.

• Engineering
• Physical Sciences

The SMART program is designed to support graduate students studying in STEM disciplines and offers a range of other benefits, including supplies and health insurance allowances and employment placement services with the DoD after graduation.

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship is a three-year graduate fellowship that is designed to support doctoral students across fifteen engineering disciplines.

This three-year fellowship program supports the research efforts of doctoral students in STEM-related fields of study and allows them to pursue their work at any accredited graduate program in the country.

Renewable award for graduate students enrolled in a full-time APA-accredited doctoral program of study in psychology. Underrepresented, minority students are encouraged to apply.

This fellowship is open to female scholars and is designed to help offset the doctoral student’s living expenses during her final year of working on a dissertation.

This fellowship is a single-year of funding that is designed to support the doctoral research of a student working in child psychology.

The Javits Fellowship is provided on a needs- and competitive-basis to graduate students pursing graduate degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts.

Two fellowships are awarded to support doctoral students who plan to study at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece for a year.

The Richard M. Weaver Scholarship is open to graduate student members of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and supports the academic work of scholars pursuing teaching careers at the college level.

The AICPA fellowship is designed for minority students pursuing or planning to pursue a doctorate in accounting.

Five scholarships are available to provide financial assistance to graduate students pursuing studies in accounting and plan on earning CPA licensure.

This fellowship provides financial support to female scholars conducting research and economic analysis into natural resource, food, or agricultural issues.

This renewable, four-year fellowship is designed to support a scholar’s work in the field of stewardship science: nuclear science, high density physics, and materials under extreme conditions and hydrodynamics.

This multi-year fellowship supports doctoral research in several fields, ranging from chemistry to geology, materials science to physics and connects fellows with NPSC employer partners.

The NWRI fellowship program is open to full-time doctoral students conducting water-based research in areas such as water quality, water treatment and technologies, water supplies and water resources.

Really think about your reasons for getting a PhD. Critically exam the support systems you have in place to get you through the journey: 50 percent of doctoral students suffer from depression. Utilize services like the counseling center on your college/university campuses to help you respond to the stressors that may occur with the transition.

ASSISTANTSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS AND LOANS

Graduate assistantships.

Graduate assistantships are a form of academic appointment and are provided by individual departments. Competitive in nature, they are typically awarded on the basis of the student’s academic accomplishments and potential in the graduate program of study. Most programs provide appointments for one year at time and students receive a tuition credit or waiver and monthly stipend. There are three types of assistantships: Teaching Assistantships, Assistant Lecturers, and Research Assistants.

Teaching assistants perform a range of support duties for faculty members at a university, including grading papers and teaching classes.

Lecturers may serve as instructors in the academic department where they are studying.

Research assistants conduct and assist faculty members with research projects in the student’s area of interest.

Fellowships

Fellowships are short-term funding opportunities (typically 9- to 12 months) provided to students in the form of tuition credits and/or stipends. They support a student’s graduate study in their field of choice, may assist them in their research, or gain professional training in an area of interest. Fellowships are competitive and are available in two types: University-based and External.

Individual schools, colleges, and departments at a university (e.g. College of Science, Department of English) may have endowed fellowships. Students are either nominated for an award by their department or may be open to an application process.

External fellowships are funded by foundations, government agencies and other groups and provide opportunities to study both in the US and abroad. For example, the Department of Defense offers the National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship to engineering students studying in one of sixteen engineering specialties.

Corporations

Many companies and businesses have created scholarship, fellowship, and tuition reimbursement programs for their employees. Depending on the company, there may be a possibility it supports the graduate school efforts of its employees. Speak to the Human Resources department to learn more about the potential funding avenues available.

Graduate students may borrow funds from the federal government under two loan programs: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Perkins Loan Program.

Private financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, offer unsecured educational loans to graduate students. These loans must be repaid with interest. The interest rates, loan amount, and repayment terms are based on the credit worthiness of the borrower.

Federal work study provides students with demonstrated financial need part-time job opportunities that allow them to earn income while they are in graduate school. The program focuses on placing students in community service situations related to the student’s academic course of study. A majority of jobs are on-campus, but some schools may have some off-campus jobs with nonprofit agencies and other groups. It is important to note that some universities may not allow students to use their federal work study for tuition, but other related expenses (e.g. books, fees).

EXPERT SPOTLIGHT: Lawrence Burns, PhD

What should a future phd student consider when selecting a program of   study .

Speaking in the humanities, a student is best advised, I think, to select the faculty member with whom he or she wishes to study rather than simply a program. This faculty member becomes the student’s mentor, a relationship that lasts well beyond graduate school years. Because the mentor becomes the student’s primary reference, his or her standing in the field can and does have an impact on pre- and post-doctoral grants a student might win as well as on the student’s success on the academic job market.

It is a delicate balance though, because one must also look at programs that have standing in a particular field and at institutions that can afford to fund their PhD students throughout their graduate years.

Much is made about the saturation of PhD graduates and not enough   positions — both in academic and the private sector. Should that dissuade   a student from pursuing a PhD?

Yes, of course. Again, a PhD is not something that comes easily, and it should not be pursued without a reason for it. On the other hand, for students who are committed to their fields, and for whom that field is a career choice, the PhD is still the only way into the university job market. 

There is a catch-22 in the world of post-graduate education. Research universities need to turn out research, and researchers often depend on their grad students to assist them–in all fields–and departments on their PhD candidates to teach many undergraduate courses. PhD students are thus recruited regardless of the job market for the PhD holders.

The challenges in funding the PhD for me were less about how am I going to pay for this degree, but making the adjustment from being a full-time salaried employee to now, taking a significant pay cut to serve as a graduate assistant.

EARNING OUTLOOK FOR PHD STUDENTS

Potential career earnings should be a significant part of the discussion when considering whether or not to pursue a doctoral degree. Completing an advanced program of study could increase an individual’s earning potential with their current or future employers.

Research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a direct correlation between educational attainment and career success—both in employment opportunities and annual salaries. Doctoral degree holders are some of the highest paid professionals in the country. The table below outlines the difference in earnings by degree level in 2014.

source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Earnings and Unemployment by Educational Attainment

• Industry or Business $97,700
• Government $82,000
• Nonprofit Organizations $72,500
• Other $70,000
• Academia $60,000

Source: National Science Foundation, Survey of Earned Doctorates

In turn, prospective students should consider how their sacrifice of time and money will pay off when they embark in their careers. Some professional fields have a higher return on investment than others. A majority of PhD candidates endeavor to become tenured-track faculty members, but they should realize that academia is one of the lowest paying sectors for individuals with a doctoral degree.

A review of National Science Foundation survey information shows that the best paying professional areas for PhD graduates include Industry and Business—with an average salary of $97,700. At the bottom of the list? Academia.

MOST LUCRATIVE PHD CAREERS

So, which PhD degrees pay the best?

According to the NSF, business, economics, and engineering are consistently among the best earning academic fields regardless of industry. The following tables outline the highest paying academic fields by professional area of work after graduation.

• Business Management and Administration $110,000
• Economics $82,000
• Engineering $79,000
• Health Sciences $70,000
• Education $60,000
• Business Management and Administration $135,000
• Economics $115,000
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $115,000
• Geosciences $110,000
• Engineering $98,000
• Economics $112,500
• Business Management and Administration $96,590
• Engineering $96,500
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $95,300
• Health Sciences $94,000
• Business Management and Administration $105,000
• Economics $100,000
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $100,000
• Health Sciences $98,000

At the occupational level, 2012 employment research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed the best paying doctoral career was Physicist ($109,600), followed by Astronomers ($105,410), and Engineering Professors ($94,130).

Overall, the top 10 most lucrative PhD careers include the following:

• 1 Physicists $109,600
• 2 Astronomers $105,410
• 3 Engineering Professors $94,130
• 4 Economics Professors $90,870
• 5 Health Specialties Professors: $90,210
• 6 Agricultural Sciences Professors $86,260
• 7 Biochemists and Biophysicists $84,940
• 8 Forestry and Conservation Science Professors $84,090
• 9 Physics Professors $80,720
• 10 Medical Scientists $79,930

EXPERT SPOTLIGHT: Darren Pierre, PhD

How has earning a phd impacted you personally and professionally.

Personally, the PhD was an incredibly introspective process. I believe for many, they go into the PhD thinking one thing, and come out transformed by the experience. I learned and grew personally in how I harness my self-worth, I grew professionally in my ability to humble myself and authentically listen to the feedback given about my work.

Professionally, I move with a greater level of confidence, I have more insight into my own potential in ways I could have never imagined, and all of that propelled me to write my book, The Invitation to Love.

Through your own experience, what are the biggest mistakes   prospective PhD students make when choosing and/or funding their PhD?

The biggest mistake that perspective students make is doing the degree for the wrong reason. If you are doing the degree for any other reason that self-motivated factors, you will falter. Doing the PhD to cover areas of insecurity, or low self-worth; doing the PhD for the prestige or title sake, those reasons will have you floundering and faltering when the psychological stressors being to weigh heavy.

Did you create a roadmap--financially or academically--to stay on track to   completing your PhD?

Absolutely, you have to have a plan and work that plan. Each Sunday, I would develop the week's action plan, I would carve out everything from when I was doing assignments/research to when I would work out, everything was on a schedule so that even when the fog of the process set in, I had headlights (my schedule) that allowed me to drive consistently when the road ahead was hard to see.

PHD: BY THE NUMBERS

Doctoral education in the U.S. is a varied and broad system, one that has been growing in popularity. In the 2013-2014 academic year, more than 178,000 doctoral degrees were conferred to students nationally, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

• Doctoral Education Continues to Grow
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Dominate
• STEM Fields are the Most Popular
• Only Half of Students Earn a PhD in the Same Academic Field as their Master’s Degree
• Doctoral Degrees are an Investment in Time
• Primary Source of Funding Varies by Program

In its survey of earned doctorates, the National Science Foundation learned the number of doctoral recipients increased by nearly 30 percent between 2003 and 2013.

The most popular academic areas of study were Engineering and the Physical Sciences.

• Engineering 69.80%
• Physical Sciences 59.30%
• Health Sciences 53.60%
• Life Sciences 44.60%
• Other 38.90%
• Social Sciences 19.90%
• Humanities 9.10%
• Education -25.70%

Within the engineering and physical sciences disciplines, multiple sub-fields have been experiencing explosive interest and enrollments, with some programs (e.g. physics, materials science engineering) growing by more than 70 percent between 2003 and 2013.

• Other engineering 127.5%
• Materials science engineering 86.5%
• Aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering 74.5%
• Mechanical engineering 70.5%
• Electrical, electronics, and communication engineering 53.6%
• Chemical engineering 46.0%
• Computer and information sciences 119.1%
• Mathematics 83.0%
• Physics and astronomy 76.7%
• Geosciences 28.8%
• Chemistry 22.0%

According to NSF, the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields are the most popular doctoral areas of study.

• Life Sciences 23.3%
• Physical Sciences 17.6%
• Engineering 17.0%
• Social Sciences 15.9%
• Humanities 10.7%
• Education 9.4%

Interestingly, slightly more than 56 percent of graduate students continue into a doctoral program in the same field as their master’s degree. Rates are highest in the humanities, engineering, and social sciences fields.

• Humanities 67.6%
• Engineering 65.7%
• Social Sciences 65.6%
• Education 61.5%
• All Fields 56.1%
• Physical Sciences 53.4%
• Life Sciences 35.5%

It requires approximately 7.5 years of study for the average graduate student to complete a doctoral degree after enrolling in graduate school. Education takes the longest — more than 11 years, while the physical sciences and engineering fields only require 6.5 to 6.6 years of study to complete.

• Education 11.7
• Humanities 9.2
• Social Sciences 7.7
• All Fields 7.5
• Life Sciences 6.9
• Engineering 6.6
• Physical Sciences 6.5

According to the NSF, the most common source of funding for doctoral students are teaching and research assistantships. The table below details the primary source of funding for students by academic area of study.

• Life Sciences Fellowships/ Grants
• Physical Sciences Research Assistantships
• Social Sciences Teaching Assistantships
• Engineering Research Assistantships
• Education Own Resources
• Humanities Teaching Assistantships
• All Fields Research Assistantships

The following table includes a breakout of the primary funding source by major field of study, according the National Science Foundation.

Source: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/sed/2013/data-tables.cfm

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES

The ultimate financial goal of any PhD student should be to complete their program successfully and move into a professional career with as little debt as possible. The resources below are available to help students locate scholarships and other funding sources that can help make that goal a reality.

Unigo offers a selection of financial assistance resources for graduate students, including a scholarship directory, a scholarship match tool, educational information on student loans and funding options, and more.

Scholarships.com is a website that provides a selection of financial aid information, including a searchable scholarship directory, insights into funding trends, financial aid calculators, and information about grants and fellowships.

Peterson’s is an educational resource site that includes a searchable scholarship database, articles and advice columns, and a catalog of graduate school profiles.

FinAid.org is an educational resource site that focuses on financial aid and offers information about student loans, federal financial aid, financing a doctoral education, and includes a scholarship search option.

An office of the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid is the country’s largest provider of financial aid. Graduate students can learn about and pally for loans, grants, and work-study funds to pay for their doctoral education.

FastWeb is a financial aid-focused website that offers a searchable scholarship directory that allows students to focus their search to their major area of study, work experience, and personal and professional activities.

Chegg is an online educational portal that not only offers used textbooks, but a scholarship database as well.

• Search All Scholarships
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• Scholarships for Grad Students
• Scholarships for Women
• Scholarships for Black Students
• Scholarships
• Student Loans
• College Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Scholarship Winners
• Scholarship Providers

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Top 78 Scholarships for Adults in April 2024

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

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Yea! Since you landed on this page, it looks like you are, or are thinking about, starting or returning to college. In retrospect, I wish I knew about scholarships for adults back when I started college as the mother of three school-age sons. This post was created to support all the brave adults who embrace lifelong learning!

If you are planning on attending a local college, university, or trade school, don’t forget to explore the scholarship opportunities offered at those institutions. If you don’t know where to start your search, stop in at your local library for assistance. Finally, in addition to applying for scholarships, make sure that you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Good luck, fellow learners!

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* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system. ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements. ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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Offered by CollegeXpress

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Marion F. & Peter Plouff Scholarship

The Marion F. and Peter Plouff Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for Dexter, Maine residents to receive renewable support for their post-secondary education. This scholarship… Show More

The Marion F. and Peter Plouff Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for Dexter, Maine residents to receive renewable support for their post-secondary education. This scholarship is particularly beneficial for adult learners who are returning to school to further their education, as well as students who have previously received a Plouff scholarship. Don't miss out on this incredible chance to pursue your academic dreams! Show Less

On To the Future (OTF)

Offered by Geological Society of America

On To the Future (OTF) is a scholarship opportunity for those pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited North American institution or recent college… Show More

On To the Future (OTF) is a scholarship opportunity for those pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited North American institution or recent college graduates residing in North America. This scholarship is open to individuals from the following underrepresented communities in the geosciences: low-income, people of color, first-generation, non-traditional, women, veterans, LGBTQIA+, and/or persons with disabilities. Applicants must have never attended a GSA Connects annual meeting. If you fit this criteria, we encourage you to apply - don't take this opportunity for granite! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be… Show More

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month. Show Less

Mary Cafolla Wallace Nursing Scholarship Program

Offered by The Philanthropic Initiative

Are you an adult (ages 24 - 55) planning to pursue a second career in nursing and obtain either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)… Show More

Are you an adult (ages 24 - 55) planning to pursue a second career in nursing and obtain either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in New England? If so, consider applying for the Mary Cafolla Wallace Nursing Scholarship Program! Each year, the program awards up to $20,000 each to multiple applicants who will be pursuing a nursing degree in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont in the upcoming Fall. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

Joseph & Dorothy Headley Scholarship

The Joseph and Dorothy Headley Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for Vinalhaven, Maine residents who have lived in the area for at least three years… Show More

The Joseph and Dorothy Headley Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for Vinalhaven, Maine residents who have lived in the area for at least three years and are looking to pursue post-secondary education. This scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to those who demonstrate good character, citizenship, financial need, and ambition. Whether you're interested in attending a college, university, community college, or vocational school, this scholarship can help you achieve your goals and reach your full potential. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to invest in your future! Show Less

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

Rotary Peace Fellowships

Offered by Rotary International

Are you a college graduate interested in studying abroad? If so, consider applying for Rotary Peace Fellowships! The fellowships are open to college (undergraduate and… Show More

Are you a college graduate interested in studying abroad? If so, consider applying for Rotary Peace Fellowships! The fellowships are open to college (undergraduate and graduate school) graduates whose graduation dates will be at least three years ago by the start of their fellowship programs. Applicants should wish to study peace and development issues in a study abroad program. The fellowship offers both a Master’s Program and a Professional Development Certificate Program. Depending on which you are interested in, the application and eligibility requirements differ, so check the website for more specific details. The programs are offered by the Rotary Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports education to cultivate peace. Their fellowships seek to improve health and the environment, provide quality education, and alleviate poverty across the globe. To achieve these goals, 130 applicants every year are granted fully funded fellowships to go abroad and become "catalysts for peace". If you are interested in studying abroad, participating in global networking, and making a change, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

Spurling Scholarship

The Spurling Scholarship, founded in 1984, offers renewable aid to those residing in Cranberry Isles, Frenchboro, Long Island, Swans Island, and Mount Desert Island, Maine… Show More

The Spurling Scholarship, founded in 1984, offers renewable aid to those residing in Cranberry Isles, Frenchboro, Long Island, Swans Island, and Mount Desert Island, Maine who are pursuing higher education at a college, community college, or vocational training program. Candidates from unbridged islands with the most significant financial need are given priority. Keep on reading to learn more! Show Less

Jump ahead to…

How to win scholarships for adults

Resources for adult learners.

• Frequently asked questions
• Additional scholarship categories to explore

One of the best things you can do to boost your chances of winning scholarships is to write a knockout essay. Essays are the perfect place for you to describe what you’re passionate about, lay out your goals for the future, and win over your readers. Keep in mind that scholarship committees commonly read hundreds or even thousands of applications, so you’ll want to find a way to make your essay stand out from the crowd.

Fortunately, we have some great resources to help you! These include guides on how to write a winning essay , how to start and end an essay, and how to write an essay about yourself . If applicable, you can also check out our guides on how to write a 250 word essay and 500 word essay . The essay is one of the most important parts of the application process, so be sure to give it the necessary time and attention!

Also see: The ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships

The following resources are a solid place to start your higher education journey or help you navigate the next steps. In crafting this post, one could not help but notice all of the for-profit organizations out there. The following resources are credible and free, so make good use of them!

Adult Literacy League

This website, run by the Adult Literacy League located in Winter Park, Florida, lists a number of links to other credible free websites that feature quality learning resources for adult learners.

College for Adults

The College for Adults website (part of the National College Transition Network (NCTN)) offers advice and resources to adults who are going to college for the first time. This includes career planning, college selection, and the application process.

Related: Guide to financial aid for part-time students

U.S. Department of Education Contacts by State

This handy list of state resources that the U.S. Department of Education offers is invaluable. For example, if you live in NJ, there are phone numbers and official websites for the four main state education departments, including the State Adult Education Agency. Bookmark this website!

Also see: Scholarships for online students

Frequently asked questions about scholarships for adult learners

What about local scholarships.

When it comes to increasing your odds of winning scholarships, local is the way to go. The reason for this is obvious (less competition), but that doesn’t mean that you won’t have to put plenty of effort in. Finding local scholarships means you need to do more legwork since finding them might take more than a Google search. Click here for a quick guide on how to start searching and applying for local scholarships.

Also see: Top colleges that accept CLEP

What is the best strategy for applying for scholarships for adults?

Our advice is simple: Apply to as many scholarships as you qualify for while keeping quality in mind. This means that while it is fine to apply for a few “easy to apply” for scholarships , your time will be better spent applying to scholarships that have more specific requirements. Show your maturity, and give the scholarship application process the time and effort it deserves!

Also see: Scholarships for nontraditional students

Explore these other scholarship categories:

• Top scholarships for moms
• Top scholarships for single dads
• Top scholarships for nontraditional students
• Top scholarships for cancer survivors
• Easy scholarships to apply to
• Top scholarships for online students
• Top scholarships for community college

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The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation

Supporting students in pursuit of higher education, scholarships for mature students.

No grants are made directly to students. Students should contact their institution’s financial aid and scholarship offices.

The Foundation values the partnerships established with Newcombe-funded institutions and encourages programs and initiatives that effectively serve mature students.

The typical Newcombe Scholarship recipient is thirty-five years old and a maintains strong academic performance. Many Newcombe Scholars attended a community college prior to their current institution. The proportion of part-time and full-time student recipients varies according to institution, and the majority of recipients work full or part time and volunteer in their communities.

Through the Foundation’s partnership with funded institutions, student scholarship money comes from current year grants from the Foundation, matching funds provided by institutions, and income from Newcombe-endowed funds.

Grants for 2022-23:

• Alvernia University
• Baruch College
• Bloomfield College
• Cedar Crest College
• Chatham University
• Georgia State University
• Gwynedd Mercy University
• Kean University
• Misericordia University
• Morgan State University
• Mount Aloysius College
• Muhlenberg College
• New Jersey City University
• Notre Dame of Maryland University
• Penn State – Abington
• Peirce College
• Rider University
• Rutgers University, Douglass Residential College
• Rutgers University, Newark
• Saint Joseph’s University
• Thomas Edison State University
• Towson University
• University of Baltimore
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• University of Maryland, College Park
• University of Maryland Global Campus
• Wilson College

In addition, 22 previously funded institutions continue to provide Newcombe Scholarships from Newcombe-endowed scholarship funds:

• American University
• Arcadia University
• Centenary University
• Columbia University School of General Studies
• Elizabethtown College
• Fordham University
• Gannon University
• Georgian Court University
• Hunter College
• La Salle University
• Marywood University 
• Mercy College
• Moravian College
• The New School
• Neumann University
• Rutgers University, College of Arts & Sciences
• St. Peter’s College
• Stevenson University
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Scranton
• West Chester University
• Widener University

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Funding for mature students

Find your perfect postgrad program search our database of 30,000 courses.

Government funding in the UK

Both full- and part-time postgraduate students qualify for some sort of Government funding in the UK, but please note that or full-time and part-time students a masters course must be worth 180 credits to qualify for funding. Part-time students must complete the course in either two or four years (depending on the length of the full-time course) or three years if no other part-time option is available. Part-time students are not eligible for Government loans for living expenses, but they are for those loans covering tuition fees. The other major thing that affects Government funding in the UK is whereabouts you live.

For students living in England they can claim up to £10,906 over the duration of their course. 

If you are a resident of Wales, the Government offers a combination of loans and grants up to a total of £17,000, depending on your household income and this is for full- and part-time students. 

In Scotland, both full and part-time students can claim a loan of up to £5,500 for their tuition fees and full-time students under 60 years old can claim a loan of up to £4,500 for living costs. 

Northern Irish students can claim a loan of up to £5,500 to help towards the cost of tuition fees. 

Self-funding 

Another option that many mature students choose is self-funding. This usually is either through savings or by working as well as studying their postgraduate program. Most students who work and study are part-time students, but with o nline or distance learning courses you may find that you are able to work and study full time. 

Employer contributions 

If a colleague with a specific skill set is due to retire or leave, then you might find that your boss will agree to fund a postgraduate course that qualifies you do fill that position when it becomes free. It is fairly standard practice in the UK for employers to insist that employees who are having their studies funded by the business or organisation sign a contract agreeing to work for at least two years, otherwise the student will be liable to repay the costs of the course. 

Scholarships 

Spend some time searching through scholarships and bursaries especially those available directly from your university as they are usually open to a wide range of students. Applying to scholarships often requires writing a personal statement and providing grade transcripts throughout your studies. And don’t forget if you get offered a place on a postgraduate program you will be eligible to apply for a Postgrad Solutions Study Bursary worth £500.

Private loans 

There are a few financial institutions that offer career development loans and postgraduate study loans. Be sure before you borrow the money, but since you are a mature student , this is probably not the first time you've borrowed money. 

Help if you have a disability 

Both the Government and universities themselves offer additional funding to students with disabilities . Mature students are more likely to have a disability, so make sure you find out what additional help you could get with the Disabled Student Allowance. 

Full- and part-time mature PG students

Here is a table showing the numbers of full- and part-time mature postgraduate students by age group and study mode in 2018-19 

Related articles

What Is A Mature Student? A Definition

Adult Learning: PG Studies As A Mature Student

Best Universities For Mature Students

What Funding Is Available To Disabled Postgraduate Students In The UK?

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College Scholarships for Older Women

In recent years, a number of specialized scholarships have been created for older women, often called nontraditional or re-entry students, who are interested in obtaining job skills and higher education.

The best resource to find possible opportunities for women is to contact their State Education Bureau or Federal Student Aid Information Center, and find out if there are any programs for their age.

Here is the list of the names of the agencies and foundations that offer grants and scholarships for older or mature women according to their age, which help them to defray the costs involved.

AAUW’s Career Development Grants

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is one of the largest fund providers for educational programs that promote women and girls. AAUW’s Career Development Grants program provide support to those women who want to re-enter the workforce, change careers or advance in their current career through obtaining higher education, participating in technical training and in professional development institutes.

Eligibility

• are citizens or permanent residents of United States;
• hold a bachelor’s degree not honorary;
• plan to participate in courses/activities, that are required for career advancement;
• Bachelor’s or associate’s degree in a field of study which is entirely different from the previously earned bachelor’s degree field of study
• Professional degree such as M.D., J.D., etc.
• Certification program
• Master’s degree
• Technical school
• Applicants must be enrolled in a degree/program at a two- or four- year college or university in the United States that is regionally accredited or at a technical school, which must be a licensed school or accredited by the U.S. Department of education.
• Funding can be provided to distance learning programs, only when the institution offering the program appears on the list of the U.S. Department of Education’s approved online/distance learning programs;
• Previous recipients of any AAUW national grant or fellowship are not eligible to apply for the Career Development Grants program;
• AAUW boards, staff, committees, panels and current interns cannot apply for the program.
• Funding is not available for Ph.D. coursework or dissertations and prerequisite coursework.

Scholarship Benefits

Awards ranging between $2,000-$12,000, will be granted to the recipients.

• The funds can be used to cover fees, tuition, books, supplies, dependent child care and local transportation.
• The funds cannot be used for other expenses like purchase of equipment, repayment of loans, insurance, for salaries, deficits, previous expenditures, travel expenses like train fare or air fare, shelter, moving expenses, periodical fees or professional dues, tuition expenses for dependent’s education or for attending conferences or seminars.

Application Requirements

• Online application form
• A financial statement for the total grant amount the applicant has requested.
• Applicant has to provide a narrative paragraph as requested.
• The grant amount the applicant requests must fall within the range of $2,000-12,000. Requests for an amount outside the mentioned range will be disqualified.
• Applicant has to submit one letter of recommendation online. The name and the email address of the recommender must be provided online.
• A nonrefundable $35 fee is required to pay for administering the applicant’s application process. Preferable payment methods are through Visa credit card/debit card or MasterCard. Other forms of payment will not be accepted.

Contact Information

To apply for AAUW’s Career Development Grants program, visit www.act.org . For any questions, contact them here . For application information, e-mail [email protected] ,call 319/337-1716 ext. 60 or write to the customer service center at: AAUW Fellowships and Grants C/O ACT, Inc. 101 ACT Dr. Iowa City, IA 52243-9000

Do not contact AAUW office in Washington, D.C., or local branches, for application information.

EFWA’s Women in Transition (WIT) and Women in Need (WIN) Scholarships

The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA) encourages and inspires women to advance their career in the accounting profession. The foundation provides scholarships at graduate, undergraduate and postgraduate levels for women who are interested in pursuing their Accounting degree. The foundation sponsors Women in Transition (WIT) and Women in Need (WIN) Scholarships to those women who are the primary source of their family income and who want to pursue their Bachelor’s degree in the field of Accounting.

For WIT Scholarship: Women applicants, enrolled as incoming freshmen to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, are eligible to apply.

For WIN Scholarship: To be eligible, the women applicants must complete their sophomore year of academic pursuit.

For WIT Scholarship: An award up to $16,000 over four years will be provided to the recipient.

For WIN Scholarship: For two years, an amount of $2,000 per year will be awarded to the recipient.

• Official transcripts from college and junior college
• Proof of enrollment or acceptance of enrollment
• Record of the applicant’s employment
• Volunteer activities
• Professional activities
• List of awards and honors
• A statement describing the applicant’s career and personal goals and objectives
• Tax return forms for three prior years
• Letters of references: Two personal references and two or more professional references
• A statement stating the applicant’s overall quality of work
• Financial need form
• As the scholarship checks are directed to the educational institution, complete details of the applicant’s institution must be provided, which includes the contact name, address and telephone number
• A statement stating where the applicant heard about the scholarship

The completed application materials must be returned to: Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting 136 South Keowee Street Dayton, Ohio 45402-2241 FAX: 937-222-5794

For further information and questions regarding the scholarships, contact them by calling 937-424-3391 or email [email protected] . To download the application form, visit www.efwa.org .

P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE)

The mission of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) is to promote women to achieve their goals by providing scholarships, loans, awards, grants and stewardship of Cottey College. P.E.O.’s Program for Continuing Education was established with an intent to support those women, who want to support their family and/or themselves, by returning to school to continue their education which has been interrupted.

• A P.E.O. chapter must sponsor the applicant
• Applicant must be a citizen of United States or Canada and studying in the United States or Canada
• Applicant must be a non-student for at least 24 consecutive months in her adult life
• Applicants must be enrolled in an educational program that can lead them to job advancement or employment
• Applicants must be in a position to complete their educational goals within 24 consecutive months
• The applicants must not be enrolled in a doctoral degree program such as medical, educational, clinical or law
• The maximum grant amount is $3,000. Based upon available funds and individual needs, a lesser amount may be awarded to the recipient.
• The grant money, which is for one time only, can be used to cover expenses like books, transportation, tuition, education-related expenses or childcare.
• The grant money cannot be used for living expenses, costs of prerequisite courses or to repay educational loans.
• Grants may be awarded for technical or academic courses.
• Application form
• Eligibility form
• Letter of recommendation from P.E.O. chapter
• Chapter’s recommendation form
• Statement of expenses and income

How to Apply

A prospective applicant is identified by the local chapter and is interviewed to determine the applicant’s eligibility by the chapter’s P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) Chairman.

To submit an application successfully, the applicants must perform the following actions:

• The applicant must view the online tutorials for the PCE application
• The local chapter PCE portal account has to be set up by the applicant in order to access the necessary forms
• All the steps outlined in the video tutorials must be completed
• Online link and instructions are sent to the applicant, once the applicant’s eligibility is established and Chapter Recommendation is completed.

Ten weeks prior to the beginning of the term, the applicants must submit the application requirements electronically. Not more than four months prior to beginning of the term, the applications will be considered. The applications will not be accepted if they are not submitted ten weeks prior to the term’s beginning.

For instructions to submit the application form, visit www.peointernational.org . For more details about the program, check out this link .

Society for Women Engineers (SWE) Re-entry/Non-Traditional Scholarships

The Re-entry/Non-Traditional Scholarships sponsored by the Society for Women Engineers (SWE) assist women in obtaining higher education, through which they can make re-entry into the job market as engineers. SWE offers the BK Krenzer Memorial Re-entry Scholarship, Wanda Munn Scholarship and Olive Lynn Salembier Memorial Reentry Scholarship for nontraditional female students.

BK Krenzer Memorial Re-entry Scholarship

Eligibility: To be eligible for the scholarship

• Applicant must be a woman, who has been out of school and job market for a period of at least two years.
• Applicants must be enrolled in computer science in a CSAB-accredited program at SWE-approved institution or an ABET-accredited institution or in an ABET-accredited engineering program, engineering at universities and colleges approved by SWE.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.

An award of $2,000 will be granted to the selected candidate. Visit the SWE scholarships page and follow the mentioned instructions to apply for the scholarship.

Wanda Munn Scholarship

SWE’s Eastern Washington Section offers a minimum $1,000 scholarship every year to a nontraditional engineering female student. To be eligible,

• Applicants must be nontraditional female students, trying to re-enter the job market by obtaining higher education
• Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate engineering study at an accredited school
• Applicant must complete full-time equivalent credits for a period of at least two years at an ABET-accredited school
• Applicants must reside in the Northwestern United States, which includes Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

An award of $1,000 is given to a nontraditional female student with preference given to Eastern Washington residents. The application requirements are:

• Completed Wanda Munn Scholarship Application Form
• Official transcript of the applicant’s grades for the current and/or prior colleges
• A letter of reference from the applicant’s faculty counselor, head of engineering department or a professor
• Personal letter of reference from a person who has known the applicant for at least three years (not from the applicant’s relative or family)
• Professional letter of reference from a community/professional organization or from an employer
• A 100-to-300-word essay discussing the applicant’s career goals and how the applicant plan to obtain those goals
• Another 100-to-300-word essay describing the applicant’s major obstacle in life and how the applicant responded and faced it
• Financial information

The application form can be downloaded from www.eastwashingtonswe.org . Completed applications should be returned to the chair of the Scholarship Committee: Sandy Brower EWS Scholarship Chair PO Box 364 Richland, WA 99352 Phone: 509 -375-3112 (home) Email: [email protected]

Olive Lynn Salembier Memorial Reentry Scholarship

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be non-traditional or re-entry students enrolled in any year of engineering school, which includes graduate school
• Applicant must be accepted in a bachelor’s computer science program at a school approved by ABET or must be enrolled in a bachelor’s ABET/CSAB-accredited computer science or engineering degree program at SWE-approved colleges and universities
• Upper-class applicants require a minimum GPA of 3.0/4
• At least for two years, the applicants must be out of school and workforce in the field of engineering or technology
• Applicants need not have any prior engineering education or experience

An award of $1,500 is awarded to the selected candidate. The application requirements are:

• A letter of reference from faculty member
• Personal letter of reference
• Financial aid contact

To download the application, visit the SWE scholarships page . For further information, email [email protected] .

Accepted Levels of Majoring For SWE Nontraditional Scholarships

• Aerospace/Aeronautical Science
• Petroleum Engineering
• Architectural Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Material Engineering
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
• Electrical, Electronics and Communication Engineering

Study Areas To Be Eligible For SWE’s Scholarships

• Computer science and aeronautical/aerospace
• petroleum engineering
• astronautical
• materials science
• architectural
• manufacturing
• environmental

Levels of Enrollment for SWE Nontraditional Scholarships

College freshman, college sophomore, college junior, college senior, Doctoral-level study and Master’s-level study.

Soroptimist’s Women’s Opportunity Awards Program

Soroptimist is an international organization for professional and businesswomen, working towards the benefit of other women and girls. The Women’s Opportunity Awards program is the women’s education project established by Soroptimist, with a mission to support those women who want to attain higher education and training in order to improve their economic status.

• Women applicants who are the primary source of support for their family, who are enrolled in or accepted for an undergraduate degree program or a vocational/skills training program
• Residents of Soroptimist’s member countries and territories are eligible to apply, which include United States of America, Canada, Argentina, Panama, Venezuela, Bolivia, Taiwan Province of China, Brazil, Guam, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Chile, Philippines, Colombia, Peru, Korea, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Ecuador and Japan
• Employees and members of Soroptimist are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must not be the previous recipient of Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award.
• The scholarship amount varies at the local club level.
• Soroptimist’s 28 geographic regions grant region-level awards for which the local club applicants will be eligible. Each Soroptimist region awards an amount of $5,000 to a first-place recipient. Some of the regions grant additional $3,000 awards. The 28 first–place recipients from the 28 geographic regions will be eligible to receive one of three $10,000 finalist awards.
• The cash grants can be used to cover any costs which include childcare, books and transportation.
• Completed application form
• Two reference letters from members who are not related to the applicant. To fill out the reference form, click on the link at www.soroptimist.org
• Demonstration of financial need
• A 300-word essay stating the applicant’s career goals and how the applicant is planning to achieve those goals through education and/or skills training
• A 750-word essay describing why the applicant deserves the Soroptimist’s Women’s Opportunity Award

The completed application form must be mailed to the relevant Soroptimist region, where it will be forwarded to a local participating Soroptimist club. For a list of the applicable regions and the email address of those regions where the applications have to be mailed, visit www.soroptimist.org .

For more information regarding the eligibility for the program or the application process, contact [email protected] . To download the application form, click here .

Alpha Sigma Lambda (ASL)’s Scholarship for Adult Students

The Alpha Sigma Lambda Adult Education Foundation offers scholarships to encourage adult students to pursue associate and baccalaureate degrees. Throughout the U.S., ASL has over 300 chartered chapters. The scholarships are open to adult/nontraditional students matriculating in an undergraduate program at accredited colleges or universities that are active chapters of Alpha Sigma Lambda national honor society.

• Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program in accredited institutions that are active chapters of Alpha Sigma Lambda national honor society
• At the time of application, the applicants must complete at least 30 graded semester hours at the institution
• Applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 3.2
• Must be 24 years of age or older
• Applicants must demonstrate financial need

Nine $1,700 scholarships will be awarded at the national level.

Check out the appropriate ASL’s colleges/universities chapters to download the application form. The general requirements are mentioned below:

• Official transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• A personal statement

For a list of ASL’s chapters by state, visit www.alphasigmalambda.org .

Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation’s Education Support Awards

The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation offers Education Support Awards to support low-income women who are pursuing their higher education or training, especially women with children.

• Applicants must be women with minor children, of age at least 17 years
• Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited university or college pursuing a first bachelor’s degree, a technical/vocational degree, a professional/master’s/doctoral degree or an associate’s degree; or enrolled in a GED, skills training or ESL program
• Applicants must be of low income. For a family of two, the annual income must be less than $17,500; for a family of annual, the annual income must be less than $22,000; for a family of four, the annual income must be less than $26,500.

Five awards of up to $2,000 will be given to the recipients. The award funds can be used to cover living expenses or school expenses while the recipient is enrolled in an educational program.

For downloading the application form, visit www.patsyminkfoundation.org .

College Scholarships Foundation Women’s Scholarship

The College Scholarships Foundation offers many types of scholarships, which include scholarships to help deserving women with their education expenses.

The following criteria must be met by the applicants:

• Applicants must be women and U.S. citizens
• Maintain a GPA of 3.0
• Enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program for full-time

$500 is awarded annually to a deserving female student.

• Academic scores
• A 300-word limit scholarship essay. Any of the following questions can be used as the base for the essay:
• How the applicant’s education plans affected the applicant’s plans to start a family
• What trends the applicant can foresee for women in the workforce
• Where does the applicant see herself in 10 years

Go to www.collegescholarships.org to apply for the scholarship.

Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Adult Learner Scholarships

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County provides multiple scholarships for adult learners living along the west coast of Florida.

List of Adult Learner Scholarships

The foundation’s adult learner scholarships includes the following:

The AAUW Sarasota Branch Scholarship Fund

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Sarasota Branch Scholarship Fund was established in the year 2000, with a purpose to provide scholarships for the residents of Sarasota County who are enrolled or accepted in an accredited four-year university or college. Preference is given to women returning to complete their higher education in order to re-enter the job market.

The AAUW Sarasota Branch Elizabeth Parker Scholarship Fund

Established in the year 2006, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Sarasota Branch Elizabeth Parker Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to women who want to finish their education by attending a four-year accredited college or university.

The ABWA Sunrise Chapter Scholarship Fund

The American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) Sunrise Chapter Scholarship Fund was established to support the needy individuals enrolled in an accredited university or college. Preference is given to female residents of Sarasota and Manatee Counties with need for financial aid. Applicants must maintain a high school GPA of 3.0 and must pursue a four-year degree, having a career goal.

The Byourself Scholarship Fund

The Byourself Scholarship Fund was established in the year 2002 to support adult learners in Sarasota County, men or women, who are interested in pursuing a CAN, RN or LPN nursing programs. To be eligible for the scholarship, the applicants must be enrolled in a nursing program at Sarasota County Technical Institute or Manatee Community College. In order to renew the scholarship, the student must maintain a GPA of 2.8. A major criteria for selection is financial need.

The Davis Educational Fund

The Davis Educational Fund was established to offer scholarships to adult learners, residents of Sarasota County, who are interested in pursuing a career in medical or nursing field. Applicants can be men or women enrolled in a vocational training or college in a health-related program. Scholarship recipients are based on the applicant’s financial need and his/her educational goals and objectives towards a career in the health care field.

The George W. and Ethel B. Hoefler Fund

The George W. and Ethel B. Hoefler Fund provides scholarships to the residents of Sarasota County. Based on the applicant’s financial need and commitment towards achieving his/her goals, the recipients are selected.

The Helen F. “Jerri” Rand Memorial Scholarship Fund

Established in the year 2006, the Helen F. “Jerri” Rand Memorial Scholarship Fund offers scholarships for those adult learners residing in Sarasota County, who are interested in pursuing a professional certificate in the field of Hairdressing. Applicants must be enrolled in any of Sarasota County’s accredited beauty schools.

The Sarasota Bay Club Employee Scholarship Fund

Employees of the Sarasota Bay Club are eligible to apply for the scholarships provided by the Sarasota Bay Club Employee Scholarship Fund, which was established in 2009.

James Franklin & Dorothy J. Warnell Scholarship Fund

The fund assists needy individuals who want to pursue a post-secondary education in the field of health care service programs.

J. Clifford W. & Doris E. Davis Educational Fund (1992)

The fund provides health care and nursing scholarships to the residents of Sarasota County. Adults returning to school or recent graduates of high school are eligible to apply for the fund.

Fast Track Educational Assistance Fund

The fund was designed to support the emotional, social, educational and financial needs of non-traditional/adult learner students of Sarasota County. The fund provides scholarships to adult learners who want to lead a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Applicants must be enrolled in a Nursing Assistant Program at a Sarasota County Technical Institute or Manatee Technical Institute. Click here to download the application form.

Kerry Heaney Memorial Scholarship Fund for Public Safety of the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department

Members of the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department created this scholarship to support the adults and youth who are interested in pursuing a career in EMT, firefighting or paramedic.

The Zonta Fund for Women

Zonta Club of Sarasota, an organization of professional women, created the Zonta Fund for Women of the Community Foundation. The fund provides scholarships and grants to women who are interested in obtaining the training required to start a business or develop the current business that they have.

The following documents are required to apply for the foundation’s adult learner scholarships:

• If the applicant attended the high school within the last five years, official transcript of high school is required
• If the applicant is currently enrolled or been previously enrolled in a college, the official transcript of the college is needed
• If available, acceptance letter form the college or vocational school, where the applicant is enrolled
• If possible, copy of applicant’s financial aid rejection letter or financial aid package
• ACT and/or SAT scores
• Applicant’s IRS tax forms. If the applicant’s income is Social Security, the applicant has to submit disability letter for verification
• Applicant’s Student Aid Report (SAR)
• One reference letter which must include name of the reference letter writer, the name of the applicant about whom the letter is written, how long the letter writer has known the applicant and description of the applicant’s achievements, character and the applicant’s ability to attain goals.

For questions regarding the foundation’s scholarships, contact the scholarship department at 941-556-7150 or email [email protected] . Visit the foundation’s scholarship page to download the application form. If any problem occurs while downloading the application form, contact [email protected] .

Scholarships and Grants For Women Over 25

For women of age 25 or over who are planning to go to school or college, the following scholarships and grants can help them fund their higher education.

BPW Foundation’s Career Advancement Scholarship Program

The Career Advancement Scholarship Program was established by the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation (BPW), with an intent to provide scholarships to women 25 years of age or older who are interested in finishing their school and advancing their career.

The foundation awarded more than $6 million in the form of grants, loans and scholarships to over 8,000 women who want to improve their career. The scholarship award ranges from $1,000 to $2,000.

Eligibility Requirements

The criteria to be eligible for the scholarship is as follows:

• Women 25 years of age or older, pursuing bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) or related fields are eligible to apply;
• Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited U.S college, school, university or institution and be within two years of completing their degree;
• Applicants must be U.S. nationals or U.S. citizens;
• Applicants must demonstrate need for financial aid;
• Applicants must be in a position to demonstrate their career plans;
• Applicants must be able to show $2,500 or less in Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA.
• Completed application form;
• Three recommendation letters;
• Official transcripts;
• Citizenship proof;
• Federal tax forms;
• Proof of enrollment in a program;
• Student Aid Report (SAR)

Application Process

Interested women must contact the foundation’s Legacy Partners in their local area for more information about the scholarship rules, timings and applications. Visit www.bpwfoundation.org for the foundation’s list of state and local legacy partners.

To learn more about their scholarships, visit the foundation’s website . For further information, call (202) 293-1100 or email [email protected] or contact: Business and Professional Women’s Foundation 1718 M Street, NW, #148 Washington, DC 20036

Elizabeth Pfiffner Debot Memorial Scholarship

The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP) established the Elizabeth Pfiffner Debot Memorial Scholarship for nontraditional students. According to UWSP, nontraditional students are students 25 years of age and older, seeking their undergraduate degree.

• Applicants must be female, single parent, age of 25 years and older;
• Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at USWP;
• The applicants must demonstrate financial need;
• Applicants can apply for this scholarship multiple times.

Scholarship Award

The scholarship amount varies each year.

• Online application form;
• Applicant’s goals and ambitions;
• One letter of recommendation

The above-mentioned documents must be mailed to: Terri Taylor, UWSP Alumni Affairs & Foundation 2100 Main Street, Room 134 Stevens Point, WI 54481

For additional information, contact:

UWSP Scholarship Coordinator Alumni Affairs Terri Taylor 715-346-4027

Visit their website at www.uwsp.edu to learn more about their nontraditional scholarships.

The Lenice Christine Merrill Eskritt Memorial Scholarship

The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP)’s School of Education (SOE) awards scholarship money to those students who are dedicated to the profession of teaching. The university offers the Lenice Christine Merrill Eskritt Scholarship, which was established in memory of the late Lenice Christine Merrill Eskritt.

• Applicants must be 25 years of age and older seeking graduate or undergraduate degree at UWSP;
• At least 48 credits must be earned by the undergraduate applicant with declare major;
• Graduate applicants must earn 18 credits;
• The applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.00;
• Applicants must be in a position to demonstrate financial need;
• The applicant must have dependent children.
• For resident undergraduate recipients enrolled full-time, the scholarship awards one semester’s tuition and fees;
• For the recipients enrolled part-time, the scholarship awards tuition and fees for two or more semesters.
• A completed School of Education Scholarship Application form;
• Copy of applicant’s class schedule;
• A reference form completed by the university staff, campus employer or faculty;
• An essay describing the applicant’s background, the purpose of being in the school, how the applicant selected the field of study/major, applicant goals, etc.;
• Another essay describing why the committee should select the applicant as the scholarship recipient.

All the above-mentioned documents should be mailed to Room 470, College of Professional Studies, 1901 Fourth Avenue, UW-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481-3897, before the deadline.

While submitting the application form, the applicants will be asked to select a time to write scholarship essay. The times/dates to write the scholarship essay will be posted online.

For more information, call 715-346-2040 or email [email protected] . To download the application form, visit www.uwsp.edu .

Dick Toser Alumni Memorial Scholarship

The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP) offers the Dick Toser Alumni Memorial Scholarship to non-traditional students, defined as students who are 25 years of age and older seeking graduate or undergraduate degree.

• Maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher;
• Applicants must demonstrate financial need and must have excellent academic performance;
• At the time of application, the applicants must be enrolled in at least 9 credits

An award ranging between $400-500 will be given to the recipient.

• Completed application form. Check the checkbox for the scholarship you are applying for on the form.
• An essay describing applicant’s goals and ambitions
• A letter of recommendation from a faculty member

The above-mentioned documents must be submitted to: Terri Taylor, UWSP Alumni Affairs & Foundation 2100 Main Street, Room 134 Stevens Point, WI 54481

For further information, call 715-346-4027. Visit www.uwsp.edu to download the application.

The Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women

Linda Lael Miller, New York Times bestselling author, personally finances scholarships for women who want to improve their life through education. The program awards scholarships annually to women who are 25 years or older.

• Applicants must be women who are 25 years or older;
• Must be a Canadian or U.S. citizen enrolled at a Canadian or U.S. university or college;
• Employees of Harlequin Enterprises and Nancy Berland Public Relations, Inc., their families and subsidiaries cannot apply for the scholarship

The program awards $10,000 in scholarships and the number of scholarships that will be awarded will be decided by the committee. The scholarship funds can be used not only for books and tuition but also for other expenses like transportation, childcare, etc.

• A 500-word essay describing why the applicant is applying for the scholarship, how the applicant’s educational goals can elevate her and her family’s future, how the applicant want to use the scholarship funds and the amount the applicant is seeking through the scholarship (Maximum amount is $1,000);
• The recipient must submit proof of enrollment, course work documentation, etc.

The application form and the essay must be mailed to: Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women—2012 7702 Barnes Road, Suite 140-81 Colorado Springs, CO 80922

For more information, contact Deb Korrell at 719-532-9141 or email her at [email protected] . to download the application form, visit www.lindalaelmiller.com .

The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Scholarships for Mature Women Students

The Newcombe Foundation supports mature women by providing financial assistance to them in completing their bachelor’s degree. The foundation, in partnership with selected universities and colleges, provides scholarships with an intent to promote undergraduate mature women who want to pursue their first bachelor’s degree.

Four-year colleges and universities in New York City, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Washington, DC, are limited to use the foundation grants. The funded universities and colleges distribute the Newcombe grants as scholarships to the selected Newcombe Scholarship recipients enrolled in those universities and colleges.

• Applicants must be women who are 25 years of age or older
• Applicants may be enrolled full-time or part-time and must complete 60 credit hours towards their bachelor’s degree
• Candidates must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Funded institutions can award a portion to those women who are enrolled in post-bachelor’s certification programs or pursuing their second bachelor’s degree, if the candidate proves that a certificate or degree is required to get a job or benefit her employment situation.
• Individuals cannot apply directly to the foundation for the scholarships
• Applicants must demonstrate need for financial aid and a standard financial aid form is required at the time of application
• The scholarship provides less than the full cost of tuition for the year or semester
• The scholarship funds can be used to cover eligible costs, which include childcare, internship experience, tuition, academic textbooks, practice teaching or education-related fees.

List of Funded Institutions

Below is the list of the funded institutions granting the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Scholarships. Click on the link, which connects to the university or college page with the details of the Newcombe Foundation Scholarship.

• American University (AU): www.american.edu
• Wilson College
• Arcadia University: www.arcadia.edu
• Widener University: www.widener.edu
• Bloomfield College
• West Chester University: www.wcupa.edu
• Cedar Crest College: sage.cedarcrest.edu
• Towson University: www.towson.edu
• Columbia University School of General Studies: www.gs.columbia.edu
• The University of Scranton: www.scranton.edu
• Elizabethtown College
• Saint Joseph’s University: www.sju.edu
• Fordham University
• Gannon University: www.gannon.edu
• Douglass Residential College at Rutgers
• Georgian Court University: www.georgian.edu
• Rider University: www.rider.edu
• Gwynedd-Mercy College: gmc.edu
• University of Pennsylvania
• Hunter College: www.hunter.cuny.edu
• The New School for Public Engagement
• Kean University
• Neumann University
• La Salle University: www.lasalle.edu
• Moravian College: secure.moravian.edu
• University in Maryland, Baltimore City (UMBC): my.umbc.edu
• Misericordia University: www.misericordia.edu
• University of Maryland, College Park: agnr.umd.edu
• Mercy College
• University of Maryland University College (UMUC): www.umuc.edu
• Marywood University: www.marywood.edu

Possible Woman Foundation International (PWFI) Scholarships

Linda Wind, CEO of Wind Enterprises, established the Possible Woman Foundation International (PWFI), a non-profit organization, with a purpose to support the older women in need returning to school for a better life. The foundation provides scholarships for women who are interested in returning to workforce by pursuing higher education.

• Applicants must be women enrolled or accepted in an accredited post-secondary institution
• Must be at least 25 at the time of application
• Single or stay-at-home moms are more encouraged to apply

The number of scholarships and the amount of each scholarship varies every year. The scholarship amount can be used to cover the costs of school tuition and fees.

• Proof of applicant’s program acceptance letter or current transcript
• Recommendation letters

For more information, visit possiblewomanfoundationinternational.org .

Scholarships and Grants For Women Over 30

The adult students in scholastic transition (asist) scholarship.

Executive Women International (EWI) sponsors this scholarship to encourage adult students who want to improve their self-esteem through various educational opportunities. EWI Chapters collaborate with local social service agencies and educational providers select the ASIST candidates. Throughout the United States and Canada, EWI has Chapters located in 65 cities.

• Applicants must be able to define their career objectives and goals and should specify their educational requirements in order to attain them;
• Re-entry programs available through service groups or career professionals, community agencies and universities/colleges, must be utilized by the applicants;
• Non-traditional students are more encouraged to apply;
• Applicant must reside within the EWI Chapter boundaries.
• The scholarship award ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 per individual at Chapter-level. Twelve Corporate awards worth $2,500 will be granted annually to the selected Chapter-level candidates;
• The awards are provided to cover the recipient’s education and related expenses that include books, tuition, childcare and mandatory fees like the lab fees from the school. Other expenses such as travel expenses, rent, repayment of student loans and utility payments are not included.
• Recent W-2 Form or federal or state tax return;
• Two letters of recommendation, of which one letter must be from the (a) applicant’s present or past guidance counselor, employer, teacher or school official, while (b) the other one must be from the individual with whom the applicant has worked on a volunteer or community service activity, through personal acquaintance or religious affiliation;
• ACT scores or official transcript of grades;
• Federal financial aid form;
• Form of the names and amounts of other grants or scholarships the applicant has received;
• A 750-word essay describing (a) the applicant’s objectives and goals and how further education can help the applicant attain those goals and objectives (b) what makes the applicant deserving of the scholarship.

Each EWI Chapter has its own deadline. While submitting the application form, the applicant must contact their local Chapter to know the timeline.

• Applicants must apply for the scholarship through their local EWI Chapters. For the list of participating Chapters, visit www.ewiconnect.com ;
• To find a Chapter, visit the Chapter page ;
• After being selected at the local Chapter level, the recipients are then given an opportunity to be selected for the Corporate awards.

To submit the application form, contact EWI Corporate Office at 801.355.2800 or [email protected] . For more details about the scholarship, visit www.ewiconnect.com .

The Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarship

The Leopold Schepp Foundation grants awards every year to deserving full-time graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs.

• Undergraduate applicants must be 30 or younger
• Graduate applicants must be 40 or younger
• The applicants must be enrolled full-time and must maintain a GPA of 3.2
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents by law
• Applicants must travel to New York City at their own expense for a personal interview with the Trustee and Executive Director of the foundation
• Applicants who applied for a Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarship previously and were denied are not eligible to reapply for the scholarship award
• High school seniors can apply for their first year in college

A maximum award of $8,500 will be granted to the recipient.

• A formal written request should be mailed to obtain the scholarship application form. Click here to access the request form.
• Reference letters from personal associates, academic advisors or deans and employers
• Official transcripts maintaining a GPA of 3.2
• Demonstrate financial need
• Recent income tax returns of the applicant and applicant’s parents must be submitted
• An estimate of academic resources and expenses must be submitted.

To obtain the application form, the formal request form must be returned to: The Leopold Schepp Foundation 551 Fifth Avenue Suite 3000 New York, NY 10176-3201

For further details about the scholarship, visit www.scheppfoundation.org .

Scholarships and Grants For Women Over 35

The jeannette rankin women’s scholarship.

The Jeannette Rankin Foundation established the Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship in memory of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman who was elected to the United States Congress and a proponent of women’s rights. The scholarship provides aid to adult women who want to return to school.

• Applicants must be women of age 35 and older, with low income;
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents by law;
• Applicants must be pursuing a first bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree or a technical or vocational education, enrolled at a regional or ACICS accredited school;
• Applicants must meet the lower living standards of the U.S. Department of Labor.

The foundation awards the scholarships every year. The amount of scholarship varies based on the foundation’s resources and recipient’s need.

• Application form;
• Official transcript;
• Two letters of recommendation

For further information, email [email protected] or call at 706-208-1211. To download the application, visit www.rankinfoundation.org .

The Shirley Hoden Helberg Grants for Mature Women

The National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW) sponsors awards throughout the year with intent to promote professionalism in music, art and letters and to inspire talented women to pursue their further education.

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens;
• Applicants must be women of 35 years and older
• An award of $1,000 in each of three categories for music, art and letters;
• A two-year honorary associate membership in the League will be provided to the recipient
• Applicants must provide name, address, city, state, phone number and email details on a cover sheet;
• Applicants must provide a one-page letter describing their educational goals and information about themselves, which includes the statement: “I AM A CITIZEN OF THE U.S. I was born in (city and state) on (date)”;
• Applicants must provide details of the college where the scholarship award will be paid, which includes name, street address, city, state, and telephone number of the college;
• A $10 check must be enclosed payable to NLAPW;
• Applications submitted through email are not accepted;
• Applicants applying for Letters: A 3,000-word manuscript must be provided, in any one of these categories: three poems, article, television script, drama, a chapter of a novel, essay or short story;
• Applicants applying for Art: Three 4″x5″ or larger color prints (no slides) must be submitted: original works on paper, oil, mixed media, watercolor, acrylic, etc. Sculpture: three 4’x6″ or larger photos must be provided. Photography: three 4″ x 6″ or larger prints in black and white or color must be submitted;
• Applicants applying for Music: two compositions of THREE-MINUTE PERFORMANCE TIME and a separate FIVE-MINUTE PERFORMANCE TIME, must be submitted. CDs are allowed only for this category;
• For Letters: Ms. DeAnn Lubell, 37 Santo Domingo Dr., Rancho Mirage, CA 92270.
• For Art: Ms. Jo Anne Durham, 4300 Plantation Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76116.
• For Music: Dr. M.J. “Sunny” Zank, 202, Montford Av. Ada, Ohio 45810

For more information, visit www.nlapw.org .

Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Mid-Life Women

The National Council of Jewish Women – Los Angeles sponsors the scholarship, with intent to promote women who want to re-enter or continue school in order to obtain skills, which can lead to financial independence.

• Applicants must be women 35 years of age or older;
• Applicants must be residents of or attend school in in the Greater Los Angeles area in California, which includes Orange and Ventura Counties;
• Applicant can be either single or married, with or without dependent children;
• Applicants can be college freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors.

The scholarship awards up to $1,000 to the recipients.

• Applicants must submit essays related to applicants goals and ambitions, applicant’s personal courage and her commitment towards attaining the goals;
• Demonstrate the need for financial aid.

Contact the Scholarship Coordinator via email at [email protected] or call (323) 852-8515 for more details about the scholarship.

Displaced Homemaker Scholarships

Displaced Homemaker Scholarships are offered by The Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA), a national Indian organization working for the welfare of Alaska Natives and American Indians. The scholarships are granted to those men and women, due to family circumstances, were unable to complete their educational goals.

• Applicants can be men or women approximately 35 years of age or older;
• Applicants must be Alaska Native or Native American (continental US tribes), enrolled in their tribes;
• Applicants can be (a) those who are entering college for the first time due to family circumstances (b) those who want to return to finish their school as they have attended college but kept school on hold and never received their degree;
• Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited school for both fall and spring semester as full-time students;
• Applicants can be graduating high school seniors, doctoral students, current college seniors, freshman, juniors, sophomores and graduate students;
• AAIA does not fund certificate programs or seminary.

An amount of $1,500 will be given to each of the selected candidates. $750 will be disbursed per semester directly to the college, which can be used to cover educational costs and other expenses, which includes transportation, basic living and childcare expenses. AAIA does not provide summer funding.

• Applicant’s student information form;
• Proof of applicant’s enrollment in his/her tribe;
• Applicants from federally recognized tribes must submit a copy of Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB), showing a proof of at least 1/4 Indian blood;
• A three-page essay must be submitted, describing the applicant’s life experiences, such as family, family responsibilities/situations, military, participation in the Native community, faith, clubs, employment, educational & post-graduate goals, tribal/cultural-related activities, sports, and plans to serve the Native community;
• For the funds to be disbursed for the spring semester, a copy of the spring semester class schedule and fall semester satisfactory grades is required to be submitted by the recipients.

The above-mentioned documents should be mailed to: Lisa Wyzlic, Director of Scholarship Programs Association on American Indian Affairs 966 Hungerford Drive, Suite 12-B Rockville, MD 20850

Contact Lisa Wyzlic at 240-314-7155 or email her at [email protected] to determine whether you qualify as a displaced homemaker or not. For further information about the scholarship, visit www.indian-affairs.org .

Royal Neighbors of America (RNA)’s Returning Students Scholarships

Royal Neighbors is a unique insurance firm with a mission to support women who want to improve themselves and their families, provide benefits for its members such as health discounts, scholarships, disaster aid and opportunities to volunteer.

Royal Neighbors helps its beneficial members in attaining their educational goals by providing scholarships. Beneficial members are those who own an annuity or insured with Royal Neighbors of America. The firm provides traditional scholarships for high school seniors and returning student’s scholarships for its members who want to return to college or seek a training program to advance their education or career.

Here is the list of returning student’s scholarships, which are specifically designed for its beneficial members:

New Horizons Scholarships

• Members of age 18 years or older and who have graduated from high school previously are eligible to apply
• Members must be enrolled at an accredited university, college or junior college pursuing a degree as a full-time or part-time student

Scholarship Award: Ten grants of up to $5,000, which are non-renewable, are awarded every year to its beneficial members.

New Horizons Leader Scholarship

An amount of $5,000 a year is awarded to an outstanding female candidate for up to four consecutive years. The recipient will be selected from the qualified batch of New Horizons applicants.

Life Enrichment Scholarships

• Applicants must be beneficial members 18 years or older and graduated from high school who are interested in seeking training in programs that provide skilled training or training for semi-professional occupations in industry and business.
• The program is not intended for those members who are enrolled in a master’s or bachelor’s degree.

Scholarship Award: Five grants of up to $500 will be awarded annually to the selected beneficial members, which are non-renewable.

Application Requirements for RNA’s Scholarships

• Royal Neighbors of America (RNA)’s membership is required
• RNA Chapter number
• RNA Certificate number

To apply for their scholarships, visit www.royalneighbors.org . Call (800) 627-4762 to talk with their customer service representative.

Scholarships and Grants For Women Over 50

The aarp foundation women's scholarship program.

• Applicants must be women of age 50 or older by March 30, 2012;
• Applicants must be of low income and must meet the Federal Poverty Guidelines in order to be eligible for the scholarship;
• Applicants must be pursuing a bachelor's degree, a technical or vocational education or an associate’s degree;
• Applicants must be enrolled in an U.S. Department of Education-accredited school, which includes four-year universities, community colleges and technical schools. Visit the accreditation database link www.ope.ed.gov in order to know if the applicant’s school is accredited.
• Applicants must provide proof of income, age and education;
• A short essay describing the applicant’s educational goals;
• Returning applicants must provide transcripts of their work.

Talbots Scholarship Program for Women

The Talbots Charitable Foundation offers Talbots Scholarship Program for women, who are interested in pursuing their college degree later.

• Applicants must be women residing in Canada or United States;
• Women applicants who are older ranging from 20-60 years of age are eligible to apply;
• Applicants must have their GED or high school diploma on or before September 2001;
• Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited 2- or 4-year university or college;
• Applicants must have at least 24 or more credit hours remaining before completing their undergraduate program.
• A scholarship of $10,000 or $30,000
• A Talbots Gift Card
• A Reinvention Resumé Plus eKit

Visit www.talbots.com to learn more about the program.

Osher Reentry Scholarships

The Bernard Osher Foundation sponsors Osher Reentry Scholarships. The foundation was founded by Bernard Osher, who is a community leader and a respected businessman. The foundation offers post-secondary scholarship funding to universities and colleges, especially for reentry students.

• Applicants aged 25 to 50 who experience a gap of five or more years in their education and want to continue their studies
• Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program and must be pursuing their first bachelor’s degree in a university or college which receives Osher Reentry Scholarship grant funds.

Check out the institute website for the grant amount. The scholarship awards are used to cover student tuition fees exclusively.

• Proof of financial need
• Applicant’s commitment towards completing their degree, with good academic progress

Currently 86 institutions in 47 states receive scholarship funding from the Bernard Osher Foundation’s Osher Reentry Scholarship Program. To find out the list of institutions offering the scholarship, visit www.osherfoundation.org .

57 Comments

I’m a 48 year old who is looking for grants to help go back to school. I do make 68,000 a year, but my boat is loaded already. My husband has lost his job and I’m looking at working full time and going back to something in the medical field. I have already started taking 3 courses. 1. Speech completed 94 average. 2. A&P I have not got finished yet for grade. 3. Music, I have a A in in also.

Is there any grants out there I could apply for to help me with College. Thanks, Tammy Troha

You can borrow and get the pell grant. I have 97 credits and need 24 to graduate. I do not know what to do. I am so hurt. I worked really hard. I have a 3.21 GPA. I have no money to continue. You are egibile for a certain amount so,I have been told and it has played itself out in front of my face.

Dear Talbots,

I am interested in learning more about talbots schlarships for women 20 to 60 who are going back to college. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. Thank you.

Hi, I think you need to contact Talbot’s, rather than Talbot’s contacting you for best results. go to http://www.talbots.com for more info.

I have looked on the talbots web site for information on their scholarship programs, but can not find anything pertaining to a scholarship.

I am extremely interested in any assistance you might provide regarding my pursuing a career in Medicine. As an older woman returning to College to fulfill a life-long dream, I find myself in need of assistance due to my personal situation. Please contact me when you have updated your scholarship website. Thanking you in advance for any assistance you may offer with this most important matter. Sincerely, Wendy L. Russo

I’m a 54 year old divorced female, who helped to put my son through college. I went to college when my son graduated in order to move into a better position with my company. I carried a 3.7 GPA and received a Bachelors degree in Business Management. I’ve never worked in a field I actually ‘wanted’ to work in, just at jobs to help pay the bills. I’m considering it’s my turn to actually do something I want to do…I’d like to work in the field of Healthcare – where I can actually ‘see’ the rewards of helping people on a one on one basis. Are there any scholarships out there for people like me in ‘part two’ of their lives?

Stephanie P.

I am 45 years old and about to complete my BA in Social and Criminal Justice. I volunteer with a domestic violence/rape crisis center. I want to gain my Master’s degree in Criminal Justice so that I can move into a Victims Advocacy paid position. Is there any scholarships or grants that can help me with tuition and expenses? My husband is the bread winner in the family and we have one son (age 12) who still lives at home. We are in the position of having a little too much to be considered low income, but not enough to do anything other than struggle to get by. Can anyone guide me in a direction for financial help with my Master’s degree? Thanks…

I am in need of some help finding a grant for me to attend school. I have been unemployed for over a year. I have tried to find other ways to get help to go school. I live in California and all the help that is out there is exhausted. I can’t see how I can pay some of the amounts they want to me to pay ( as much as 71,000.00). I am in the process of a divorce after being married for 27 years. I am only temp living with my sister but I feel like a burden. I just want a chance after raising my children and working at job ,one for 18 years, one for 16 years then to get let go after 4 years . I really need help in this dream to go to school to get a job that will help me take care of me.

Hello I am a 57 year old woman recently divorced that put my family first like helping to put my two daughters through college. Now I would like to go back to school and get a degree in Business Administration to be able to support myself. I actually wanted to go back earlier but it was so much involved with family life I took time out to support my daughter after a near fatal car accident that left her immobile for a year and the death of my Mother and a recent divorce took me backwards. Since then I have been laid off my job I would like a new career. Can someone tell me how to get help on going back to school please.

Hello, I am 55 years old, was a single parent and returned to school last year. I’ve been a waitress for 36 years. I solely supported my daughter (never got a penny of support). My first step in returning to school was applying for support at the college I wanted to attend. On the application(s), I was honest about my life thus far. I received a scholarship which paid for some of my classes. I received a Pell Grant and also took out a small loan. I work 3 jobs, drive 225 miles (round trip to school, I have a 1999 car and AAA!) 2-3 days/week, take 5 classes/semester and have a 3.75 GPA. I’m finishing my senior year in 2014! I have 7 classes left for an English/Journalism double major degree. You can do it!! Yes, it takes a LOT of work, but it’s so worth it. I’ll help you any way I am able, just ask.

Hi, that is amazing. It gives me hope. I am getting a divorce after 30 years of marriage. I worked for my husband for the last 12 years and am at a loss as to where to turn. I got job, but it is only $8.75/hr, and I work nights. I don’t know where things will end up as my husband is very irresponsible financially, so I may not have much at all. I am pretty worried, and I am also 58, which makes it hard to start over. Any advice is welcome!!

I am a very intelligent, capable and independent 53 year old widow who would like any information or help with law school scholarships, grants, etc. My degree is in English.

Hi!, I am a 54 year old divorced woman who is in the final months of studying for my first Bachelor’s degree. I am having a lot of trouble getting to the college campus.My car is old and has been breaking down so many times that I cannot afford any more repairs. I am not on any bus line. Is there any such help for me out there? I have a internship I must complete before I graduate and I need transportation. Thank-you. Sheryl W.

I am 52yr. old grandmother, single and living below poverty level. I work as a ranch manager/horse trainer but wish to go to Equine Dentistry school in Idaho. This will allow me to further my career and enable me to be self supportive, as well as raise my wage earnings from less than $1,280.00 a yr. to approximately $25,00.00 to 35,00.00per yr. The amount needed for tuition, materials and lodging would be $5000.00. If anyone can point me in the right direction I would be most grateful. Sincerely, M. Couillard

Dear international Donors and scholarships granter.

i am mr. william m. badillo a college instructor and currently scholarships and financial assistance officer and a career placement sevice officer at kolehiyo ng lungsod ng lipa, lipa city ,batangas philippines humbly ask on how your institution/organization/agency will help our poor and less fortunate but deserving and competent students pursue or finish their college due to lack of financial support, since our college is a free-college education run by the local government of lipa. Our school offers courses b.s in secondary and elementary education major in english, math, science, physical education, sped, psychology and social science, b.s in computer science, associate in computer technology, b.s in business administration major in finance and marketing , b.s in criminology and a.b. communication. Still a lot of students stop schooling even no tuition fees at all but due to financial problem they cant afford to continue college . indeed i am knocking at your heart to help our poor but deserving students to finish college through your benevolent and financial support. God bless.

with my highest esteem, william

After raising four sons (now ages 12-20), I am finally pursuing my master’s degree in Social Work/ Mental Health Counseling. I have devoted decades to the care of others ( my elderly parents and full time for the needs of my severely disabled son). At age 47, I am at a loss to find a scholarship fund that will assist me in my educational endeavor. Many hours of searching provide few leads. Because college costs are through the roof, I have no idea how I can accrue the massive debt which would follow me for many years.

Does anyone have suggestions or advice?I really need help to reach this goal so that I can one day professionally help families in need as a counselor.

I am a single mother who works very hard as a Certified Nurse Assistant. However i have big dreams of becoming a Real Estate Broker, I am aware that this takes time and money so if there is anyone out there who can point me in the right direction i would greatly appreciate it. thanks God Bless

I am a 51 year old woman who has returned to school to pursue my Bachelors degree in horticulture and environmental science. I have one more semester before completing my degree, but have run out of funds. I need 21 credits to graduate December 2013. Classes begin August 2013.

I am 47 years old and pursuing a criminal justice associates degree this is my first year in college and I am looking for grants to help cover my college. any help would be greatly appreciated

Dear International Donors: I am turning 55 yrs old this Fall. I have raised my children cared for my loving Father (deceased 4/1989). I Home Schooled my youngest for 9 years..he’s now 22yrs. I haven’t worked since 2004 part -time CNA. My focus was to Educate my Son.2000-2009 I desire to pursue my Nursing Career(ASN-MSN) which I put-off for at least 25 years. I am on disability temporarily and would love to complete at least my ASN before review in 2015, possibly loose my benefits since my medical conditions will have improved by then. I will be able to substantially support my self in a field I have loved and still love for over 30 years. Please help me reach my long awaited goal. I could not afford without your help. My husband and I have been separated since 2011. I earned an Associate Degree in 1978 (Fashion Mdse) at age 19. Things are completely different now and I need a Skill that’s in demand and up-to-date. Thank You. Warmest Regards and God Bless Deborah Alexander

I am a 55 year old disabled veteran who used up my GI educational benefits on getting a Associates Degree in Computer Applications back in the early 1990s. I now am going back to school to get a degree in Humanities, concentrating on social work. My goal is to be able to work within the community helping to steer young families, especially single mothers away from a life of crime and drugs. I have been looking for groups that offer scholarships and grants for a women in my position. If anyone can please tell me where I can apply for help so I can get a degree, I would be really appreciative.

I am 58 year old, I brought my bachelor of social communication, from my country I worked for many years as a teacher . now in order to get my certification in education, I must take a college mathematics, a science courses in order to fulfill the requirements. My school was downside and I am out of work , I thought that could this be the opportunity to take those courses. CI m helping my son with college too.

I am 47yrs, I just received my acceptance letter into nursing school. The nursing program I will enter starts spring 2014 and it is an registered nurse diploma program. I have been a stay at home mom since 2009 (The year I became unemployed.) and I already have a bachelors degree. I want to gain new a skill set so I can re-enter the workforce. I would like to know if there is any scholarships available for my situation.

Hello I am a 42 year old woman recently i competed my Accounts Technician Cause of Uganda ATC(U) awarded by institute of public accountant of Uganda ICPA(U) employed but i get $75 per month which can’t pay my children school fees and myself a degree cause yet aim much interest in pursuing a bachelor degree in Business administration . Now I would like to go back to school and get a degree in Business Administration to be able to support myself and get a better Job and advance my career

I am a mother of 6 from the Philippines. I stopped my studies when my kids started to grow up and go to school. I want to pursue my undergraduate studies but i cannot afford to do it now because of high cost of education in our country.

I would want to seek assistance if there is any scholarship programs/grants for women over 40 in the Philippines. I use to take up Mathematics but since i am already involve with services, i would want to pursue social work or other related courses.

I hope there is any organization that provides scholarship with my situation.

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to say that I feel bad that women seem to get a bad rap after putting up with so much and raising a family. Why do men have to be such jerks? I am proud of all you women that have not allowed these experiences to keep you down, and I am inspired by you. I am 45 years old, and can relate to all these. I pray that we would all find favor with God, and that our sufferings and struggles would not be in vain. I am also in need of information regarding scholarships and grants to better myself. I just completed a BSN in Nursing 2 weeks ago. I also have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. I had to take time off when I relocated with my family in 2001 to look after my young children. Just went through another relocation a year ago (the children are older now). I would love to have my own nursing practice one day, but I need an MSN to qualify.

God bless you all and hang in there through it all.

Love, Bola.

Hi, I am interested in pursuing a new career in film. I currently write screenplays, but would like to move into film production. I am hoping I might be directed to scholarships for older women. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks so much, Louisa J. Gilani

I am 50 years old and I am lucky if I make $21,000 a year. I did go back to school 3 years ago and received my bachelor degree but I cannot find work in that field now. So, I am looking to go back to a local community college and get my associate degree in; Business Administration-Human Resource Management.

Can you help?

I am a 65 year old who is looking for a scholarship to help me with graduate tuition. I do not qualify for loans. I am also disabled. No one will help. Theology or law.

Hi, I am 58 and trying to go into a career that I like. I am looking for a scholarship, if possible. It is a 8 month program and costs $18,000 plus uniforms and books. Where can I get help ?

I am 48 female on Pell Grant at Bishop State CC in Mobile, AL for a Computer Informations Systems Management Associates Degree.

I qualify for Financial, and current GPA is 3.6 cummulative, 3.8 Transferrable

Can you send me info on any scholarships I may have missed when I searched your site?

Thank you, Alisha Grantham

I’m a 45 year old woman who is working a full time job, a part-time job, and I dog sit to maintain my current standard of living (I make $34,000 a year, divorced, my son is 25 and lives out of state). I have 18 college credits and want to go back to college (community college, Northlake here in Dallas, Texas). I don’t seem to qualify for anything other than private loans, and I don’t want to do that. What do you do when you’re too poor to pay on your own and too rich for grants and scholarships. I work for an elected official who says he doesn’t put much stock on college, but he has a history of only promoting people who have college degrees, even to the point where he will hire outside degrees rather than promote long term employees with stellar work accomplishments but only high school diplomas?

Yes, I would get a different job if I could, but I’m still in the same boat, they look past 20 + years of experience for college degrees, even when I’m wiling to take a pay cut to get in.

I am 39 years old and have BA in Accounting and Business Adminstration. in addition to that I have also MA in Adult education from Addis Ababa University(Government university). now i need scholarship help to continue my additional MA in social scince stim from USA any Universty. for continuing my wish I need support for living and tution fee cost coverage. Thank u Assefa Ethiopia Addis ababa [email protected]

Hallow everyone. It is comforting and encouraging to know that i am not alone in this journey. I trust that there is always” a rainbow after the storm”. My name is Rosemary. I am a 51year old Kenyan , separated woman and unemployed . I dedicated my time in raising my four children who are now adults. I hold a BA in sociology and a Dip. in counseling psychology. I would like to return to university for a masters program in interactive counseling and psychotherapy. This course will give me the skills i need to open a personal practice, to improve my self esteem and to help others. I am in dire need for a scholarship to enable me achieve the above. Please, i need help. Thank you.

i am a 73 year old widow. I can’t live on Social Security. I took care of my Mother and my husband who were both on dialysis till they passed, which took all our savings, then my son came to me for help to go through Cancer for the second time, he passed this last January, then my home was foreclosed an now I am living in my Van. No one wants to hire a woman of my age, even with a BA degree. I want to help others and found a way. I took the first 20 hours at a cost of $300. Of clinical Hypnotherapy, but to go to classes and complete it, will take $7,700 more which I don’t have. This is an approved school by the department of Education, with job placement. This is something I can do to help so many people and I know I can be good at it. This will also help me support myself. I don’t know which scholarships or Grants to apply for, as I was on the deans list in college every semester and was offered a scholastic scholarship to transfer colleges back to Florida my home state. I know I will do well, but I just need some financial help to achieve my goals. Thanks for reading.

Several colleges are now waiving tuition for seniors who are 60 years old or older. I’m reading that you are 73. Is that correct, or a typo? I would make an appointment with the advisors in the tuition dept if I were in your shoes.

I am 53 years old and wishes to further my study. I am the Registrar by profession. I would like to do Human Development, or management studies or Sociology Or Psychology

Am Zambian aged 41 wishing to study at Anglia Ruskin college in the U.K. I got an acceptance to Pursue a degree in public Health but the amount I have raised so far is not enough.

I am 36 years old, a single mom, work full time. I am seeking funds to obtain my Masters in Human Services and two certifications (Gerontology and Nonprofit Management). I can not receive student loans at this time because the loans are not in good stating. I’ve been trying to return to school for five years and been unsuccessful.

My name is felekech hailu I am an Ethiopian and live in my country I am married with 3 children I am 50 and look for the free scolarship for the time bing I am studing the Hotel managent digree program I have 1st digre at Addis Ababa University in 2002 I complete the 1st semester and my GPA is 3.65 but I can’t contunie my education due to lack of money pls help me ur scolar ship only for US citizin Why is this felekech Thank you

So far I have discovered that the AARP, Talbots, Linda Lael Miller scholarships have all been cancelled.There really doesn’t seem to be much out there for the over 50 woman.

I’m a 65-year-old woman possibly facing divorce. My income is a pension from the secretarial job I held for 24 years. If I end up having to move out on my own the pension would cover rent and some good but maybe not much else. I get almost no social security income. I am considering a two-year associate degree in something like radiology but don’t see how I can pay for it and be able to live. I’d expect no income from my husband if we divorce, so am wondering if there are any scholarships for people in this situation? My college work (around 60 hours) was way back in the 70s and irrelevant to anything I could do now. I don’t even know if medical facilities would hire someone as old as I would be by the time I completed even a two-year degree! But I could not survive very easily on my own at my present level of income… Any thoughts?

I believe you could study for free or for a very minimal amount due to your age. Talk to the school! Good luck!

I was scrolling through the scholarships and I didn’t see any particular one that was nursing specific. I am 29 years old and I am currently working as a LVN. I have just obtained my associates degree of arts and would love to pursue my bachelor’s of science and nursing. However I do not want to take out any more loans. I have in my opinion bitten of more than I can chew when it comes to student loans. I just need a little guidance in the right direction.

I am a 61 year young single African American female that is in need of assistance in continuing my education. I just graduated in November with my Bachelors degree in psychology and I would like to continue on for my Masters in psychology with a concentration on addiction counseling. I am taking classes now and am in the process of being certified and getting my LADAC/CDAC certification and I am interning at a residential program during the day, as well as holding down a full time job at night. I have already racked up over $40,000 in loans getting my Bachelors and is in great need of assistance. I am not eligible for a pell grant as I have received one in the past when I got my Associates degree years ago and it seems you can only apply for that once. Any information or assistance I can get will be greatly appreciated.

Greetings! Can you please share what information you have found. Would like to pass along to my mother- Darlene.

I am a 54-year-old woman and I would like to obtain a scholarship or grant to obtain a degree in human resources management. I have worked 12 years as a HR/Personnel Assistant; however, I have been laid off for the past nine months and feel that a degree will be beneficial not only to obtain employment, but also to further my career goals. Any help/direction/advice is appreciated.

I am starting law school at age 55, will be about age 60 when I graduate and hopefully pass the BAR in my state. I received a small scholarship from my law school but no they did not give me free tuition. I will still owe $120k plus loan fees when I graduate and that’s assuming tuition does not increase in the next few years and that I keep my grades up to hold on to my scholarship. I don’t agree with the advice on here that colleges will give women age 60 and up free tuition for course credit is accurate. You may get a slight discount in tuition at age 60 and up but colleges today are in business to make money and it is doubtful they will give course credit for free. That is coming from an older student who may not even get a job offer or much assistance from the Career Counseling Center when I graduate Law School. That’s how it is for the older student. You take all the risk!

I’m desiring to go further in my field as lab tech and attaining to be clinical lab scientist or medical technical . I had a degree related to medical aspects. please advise or any organization would extend help me.

FYI: The Talbots scholarship is no longer offered ( https://www.talbots.com/online/landing/landingPage.jsp?landingPage=Talbots-Scholarship ) Too bad! It is really needed; I hope they reboot it soon.

I am currently at a community college finishing an Associates in Film, with the help of scholarships and my Pell Grant. I am trying to continue into a 4 year program to complete my Bachelors in Composition for Film, Television, with a focus on documentary production – especially about women. The Pell Grant alone will not cover the tuition for any of the Bachelor programs and scholarships are mandatory for me to continue. As a professional musician (without the degree), In order to get the jobs that have been offered to me over the last few years, I must have at least the Bachelors. I’m already 61, and incurring a loan at this age would not be a good idea. Since I’m already almost to finish my Associates, I was hoping I might be considered for this program. I have a 3.99 GPA, going to school full time, and will have 64 credits upon graduation. I also work 2 jobs to pay my bills now (teaching music and music director at a church). Would you let me know if I still might be considered for this scholarship. Thank you so much

It is real encouraging for these institutions which can give hope to older women to be back to school/college again. I am woman of 51 years and in February I will turn 52. I am single, only child of my parents, educating a son at the university, raising an orphan boy, and older parents. By the time being I am working in a busy mental health department in my country as a psychologist I see the need to advance my knowledge especially in dealing with drugs addiction which is a very big problem at my place so that I could be more helpful to patients but the problem is the fund and I have heightened responsibilities and I earn little, what I can see is, most of the funds available are special for people who reside in certain localities could you please help me to know other organization that will be of help to me?

I am currently enrolled in a 4 year college, however, I am unable to pay for my classes. Any suggestions would be a great help!

Since Fall of 2014, my pursuit is to become a nurse. Because of a workplace injury causing a irreparable cervical disk slip, my dream is lost. As my habit is to plan for the worst, I will graduate with a BAS in Human resource management in May. Yet, it appears hiring personnel are looking at my construction background. This is huge problem, as my abusive former husband, who felt abandoning me and taking all financial resources was a great idea, he works in the construction field. Thus, my work is becoming nothing more than a waste of time. and, BECAUSE OF TAKING PER-NURSING CLASSES, I will start paying back student loans without a decent job. This is a grim future.

I have little doubt I will not do well on the GRE, yet I have absolutely no financial resource to take the test. I need health insurance and housing.

At this time, if I could earn a masters in Human Resources or organizational management there are excellent opportunities to use my natural care giving personality. Yet, at age 52 no one wants me. Nor, are there scholarships for woman my age.

Now what? Although an awful divorce where representing myself has been the only option;. Resilience has been a fortunate asset. But how can I afford to attend rad school. How can I find the resources to attend grad school to earn a masters? This would allow me 23 years a a college professor. Truly, I would love to learn overseas.

With only $750.00 in income per month for the next 18months, with the right funding I could mentor many students. However, as a woman with disabilities, it is more likely that I will be living in the streets rather than becoming the leader that I have been for 30 years.

Can you offer guidance?

Michelle Brimmer

Hello everyone I’m back in school to complete my degree I’m a work I’m mother.I ‘m seeking scholarships info to match my program in business management.My GPA is 3.5 I have 9 classes to finish.I have exhausted all my financial aid and pell.I would love to learn more scholarships that I could apply for.

I’m a 43 year old single mom. Have lived through the deaths of 2 fiancée’s and am currently enrolled in massage therapy school. I do not qualify for fafsa which my school does take and am looking for scholarships to finish my advanced neuromuscular therapy program. I don’t want to be in debt, it’s hard enough as a single mom living in Los Angeles and paying a mortgage and supporting 2 children

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Studentships and doctoral training

Get a studentship to fund your doctorate.

UKRI studentships offer funding for doctoral research. They also offer you access to training, networking and development opportunities to help you build a research and innovation career.

Our expectations for research organisations, supervisors and students are set out in the statement of expectations for doctoral training .

You could get:

• a minimum stipend of £19,237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments
• support for your tuition fees (minimum £4,786 per year)

The stipend is usually non-taxable and does not need to be paid back. Some research organisations may offer more if you study in London, or they or one of their collaborators might decide to top up the payment. This will be outlined in the studentship advert from the research organisation.

We normally pay the support for tuition fees directly to your research organisation.

The levels given here are for the academic year 2024 to 2025. UKRI’s approach to doctoral stipend and fee levels will be reviewed through the  new deal for postgraduate research .

Additional support for your doctoral studies

As a UKRI-funded doctoral student, you may be able to access additional funding to cover the cost of other related training and development opportunities.

This could include:

• conference attendance
• language training
• overseas research visits
• internships or placements with a non-academic partner

The availability of support will depend on the research organisation and the training grants they have on offer. You should contact the research organisation you are interested in applying to, to find out what you could get.

Extra support if you have a disability

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.

You should speak to your research organisation’s disability advisor to assess your needs. They can help put the right support in place, including a DSA application if necessary. You cannot claim DSA directly from UKRI.

DSA helps to cover the cost of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result of a disability, mental health problem or specific learning difficulty.

The allowance covers:

• non-medical personal assistance
• specialist equipment
• extra travel costs
• general expenses

Find out more about DSA in our framework .

If you are a research organisation you can download claim forms and guidance for DSA .

Who can apply

Any prospective doctoral student wishing to study at a UK research organisation, including prospective international students, can apply for a UKRI studentship.

All UKRI-funded doctoral students will be eligible for the full award, both the stipend to support living costs, and home-level fees at the UK research organisation rate.

How to find opportunities

Many UK research organisations offer some form of studentship funding from UKRI. These opportunities will depend on the subject you want to study and will normally be advertised by the research organisations.

Research organisations may have additional opportunities that do not involve UKRI. UKRI supports around 20% of all UK-based postgraduate researchers. You should speak to the research organisation you are interested in to find out what studentships are available.

You could also consider using a specialist website like   FindaPhD  to look for opportunities.

When to apply

Research organisations set their own deadlines for applications.

Many open for applications early in the academic year and close in January or February. This is not a hard and fast rule. It is important that you check the deadlines for the research organisation where you want to study.

How to apply

You cannot apply to UKRI for a studentship. You must contact the research organisation you are interested in studying with and use their application process.

For doctoral students who are already studying with a studentship, there are opportunities to get additional funding to support placements that are separate from your doctorate.  Find training and development opportunities .

Last updated: 14 February 2024

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services .

Scholarships and grant funding for mature students

Looking for funding for mature students? If you’re over 25 years old or you have been financially independent of your parents for 3 or more years, then you are considered as a mature student. Adult or mature students are entitled to apply for government funding to study at university in the same way as younger students, but what you get depends on your own personal circumstances. If you are under 59 years of age, you can get the same package of support as all other undergraduates but your household income will be assessed based on yours or your partner’s income and not that of your parents.

If you already have a degree, unfortunately you are not entitled to apply for government loan other than for specific vocational subjects such as teaching , social work , medicine, healthcare or dentistry . Funding a second degree can be harder, however, there are literally thousands of smaller charities and trusts in the UK which offer grants for educational or welfare purposes. Each one will have its own specific criteria and you will need to identify those for which you might be eligible. As part of our member benefits package , you can access an external database of over 3,500 charities and trusts which offer educational related grants.

There are also an increasing number of scholarships and grant funding for mature students which are being offered, mostly for first time students. Here are some examples.

Mature Students Scholarship £3,000 for students over the age of 25 studying at Goldsmith’s College, University of London

Access Entry Mature Students Bursary Worth £1,000 per year for each year of full-time undergraduate study to students at Royal Holloway over the age of 21 at the commencement of their studies, who have a household income of £25,000 or less.

Women Careers Foundation Applicants should be females over 21 years old (although younger applicants are considered if taking courses in music or dance) and must be a citizen of the United Kingdom. Applicants must apply in writing to 2 Watch Oak Blackham Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 9TP enclosing S.A.E

Yorkshire Ladies Council for Education Women from Leeds and Yorkshire, over the age of 21 who must have a place at a British University and be unable to finance it themselves.

Don’t forget, just because you are a mature student, it doesn’t mean that you might not be eligible for some of the other scholarships which are not specific to a course or university and could be an additional source of income for you.

Find additional funding

Filter, find and apply for scholarships, grants or bursaries 
via the Funding Hub on Blackbullion.

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• Scholarships in Canada

Mature students

259 Mature students Scholarships available in Canada

Find mature students scholarship opportunities for international students abroad.

Discover Mature students scholarships available in Canada. You can find more details about scholarship values and courses that you can apply for below.

Refine your search

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15 Scholarships For Mature Students In Canada

In this free guide, we exposed the top best scholarships for mature students in Canada that qualified students can enter application for and have a fair chance of being listed.

Financial aids are not only designed for younger students as there scholarships for older students. Thus, this article contains information on scholarships for mature students in Canada. So, if you are an adult without funds and you are nursing the intention of acquiring a degree, then, here are financial aids that can help you out.

Mature students are usually students who start their undergraduate degrees above 21 years of age or graduate degrees over the age of 25. However, age is no barrier to education. Most mature students have been out of school for some years due to certain reasons. It could be as a result of family or personal reasons.

On the other hand, some of these students decide to return back to school to acquire degrees so as to advance their careers or change their career paths.

Check the table of contents below to see the highlights of the article.

Can mature students get scholarships?

Yes. Most people always think that scholarships are designed only for younger students.

However, there are several financial aids for mature students who wish to resume academics in colleges or universities. You will see most of these scholarships for mature students in this article.

Are there grants for mature students?

Of course. There are lots of grants available to mature students to enable fund their education so as to acquire a degree.

Scholarships For Mature Students In Canada

The scholarships for mature students in Canada include:

NADC Medical Student Bursary (return service bursary)

• Graduate Citizenship Award for Mature Students in Canada

Arts Graduate Scholarships

Alberta award for the study of canadian human rights and multiculturalism.

• NADC Bursary for Mature Students
• Rotary Club of Vernon Scholarships for Mature Students Canada

Active Living Scholarship Fund

Canlearn (canada student grants), cn north america’s railroad, ontario special bursary program (osbp).

• St. Thomas – Elgin Tourism Scholarship Fund for Mature Students in Canada

The Medical and Dentistry Student Bursary is a return service bursary that encourages medical students in Alberta to practice in northern Alberta after completion of their medical degree program.

Winners of the financial aid will not pay back the bursary if they agree to live and work in the north. The worth of the bursary is $12,000 or $24,000 annually for a period of four (4) years of the medical program. This bursary is one of the best scholarships for mature students in Canada.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must have been a resident of Alberta for 12 consecutive months before the start of their program
• Candidates will have to be enrolled in a medical program designated for provincial funding
• Applicants should be ready to live and work in northern Alberta upon completion of their residency and sign a return service contract
• Candidates must never be in default of a provincial student loan

Scholarship Website

Graduate Citizenship Award

The Graduate Citizenship Award is designed to acknowledge the contributions that graduate students make in Alberta through volunteer services including student government, student societies, clubs, organizations, or community work.

Recipients are selected by the Graduate Student Association at the higher institution of learning that the recipients are currently attending. The universities where the award is applied include the University of Alberta, University of Lethbridge, University of Calgary, and Athabasca University.

The scholarship amount is 2,000CAD. It is one of the top scholarships for mature students in Canada.

• Candidates must be citizens of Canada who are residing in Alberta
• Applicants will have to be enrolled for full-time graduate studies in a university in Alberta.
• Candidates should not be attending high school currently

The Art Graduate Scholarships are provided to students residing in Alberta and are enrolled or planning to enroll in full-time graduate studies either in music, drama, dance, literary arts, or visual arts.

The scholarships can be used for graduate studies at institutions around the world.

Winners of the scholarship will receive 15,000CAD.

This scholarship is designed to encourage graduate students that will bring value for Albertans by promoting informed thinking about Canadian human rights, cultural diversity, and multiculturalism. It will also help students to pursue graduate studies in Canadian human rights, cultural diversity, and multiculturalism, and capacity building to undertake human rights or multicultural work in Canada.

Additionally, the scholarship is sponsored through an endowment by the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund and is administered jointly by the Alberta Human Rights Commission and Alberta Advanced Education. It is one of the scholarships for mature students in Canada.

The scholarship value is 10,000CAD.

NADC Bursary

The NADC Bursary is a return service bursary offered to students in the final two years of post-secondary studies. It is designed to fund the education of students so that they can be trained for high-demand jobs in northern Alberta such as education, social work, medical & health, engineering , and technical fields.

Qualified applicants will be awarded $6,000 per year for a maximum of two years.

As one of the best scholarships for mature students in Canada, winners will be decided by a selection committee based on applicants:

• program of studies and the demand for career program in northern Alberta
• knowledge of northern Alberta
• academic record
• answers to essay questions, and
• financial need

Rotary Club of Vernon Scholarships

The Rotary Club of Venom Scholarships is available to Vernon Area residents pursuing a trade program at the Kalamalka Campus of Okanagan College.

This foundation continues its mission of offering numerous financial aids to students annually. The total amount of aids awarded is $10,500. It includes:

• One scholarship of $1000 to each of the area’s five high schools.
• O.K.College: Two academic scholarships at $1,000 each.
• O.K. College: One scholarship of $1000 for Aircraft Maintenance training.
• O.K. College: Two new scholarships at $1,000 each for training in the trades.
• Vernon Music School: One scholarship of $500.

The scholarship is renewable and recipients will be selected by the respective institutions and not by the Rotary club. In addition, the scholarship will cover tuition and books.

• Applicants must be enrolled in a trade program of at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester.
• Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The Ohio Ontario International Games through Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation offers the Active Living Scholarship Fund.

This financial aid is designed to support adults in higher institutions in the area of physical activity.

• Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of Canada as well as residents of Elgin County.
• Candidates will have to be enrolled in an accredited college or university that has a recognized sporting association.
• Applicants must have completed Grade 12 in the previous year.
• Candidates should possess leadership abilities and show willingness towards the importance of participation and inclusion over the importance of winning.

The Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies is available to adult students who are enrolled in a part-time undergraduate or graduate degree program of at least 12 weeks long within a 15-week period at a designated institution in Canada . It is sponsored by the Canadian government.

The value of the grant is 1,200 CAD per academic year. It is one of the scholarships for mature students in Canada.

• Candidates will have applied and qualified for student financial assistance (have at least a $1 of assessed financial need).
• Applicants must come from low-income families as defined by the Canada Student Loans Program.
• Candidates should be enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program (at least 12 weeks long within a period of 15 weeks in a row) at a designated post-secondary institution.

CN North America’s Railroad offers scholarships to encourage outstanding adult students. These adult students are best-in-class women, military veterans, and students of aboriginal heritage, who are studying in fields specific to CN’s core business including, Engineering, Transportation, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, Aboriginal Studies, Law, and Accounting & Finance.

The Ontario Special Bursary Program (OSBP) is designed for adult students to pursue undergraduate degrees, diplomas, or training program certificates.

Additionally, the students will have to undertake the academic programs on a part-time basis by taking less than 60% course-load (for permanently disabled students – less than 40% course-load).

• Applicants must come from low-income families. income
• Candidates should have no previous post-secondary attendance
• Applicants will have to show proof of support as to why attending they are on a part-time basis only.

The bursary will cover the cost of tuition fees, books, babysitting, and transportation costs.

St. Thomas – Elgin Tourism Scholarship Fund

St. Thomas-Elgin Tourism Scholarship is designed to help students pursue higher education in areas of study that support travel and tourism. The scholarship is offered by St. Thomas-Elgin Tourism Association.

• Applicants will have to be citizens of Canada and be a resident of Elgin County.
• Candidates must be enrolled in a tourism-related program.
• Applicants should show evidence of completion of the first-year program and enrolment in the second year of the post-secondary tourism-related program at a recognized institution.

Recommendation

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• Best Post Graduate Scholarships in Canada for all Students

Je viens d’apprendre qu’il’y’a des bourses d’étude pour les adultes,je croyais que c’était réservé seulement aux jeunes. Merci

Oui, il existe des bourses spéciales réservées aux adultes.

Je vous en prie.

Comments are closed.

• Undergraduate Fellows
• Graduate Students
• Graduate Alumni

New Scholarship Fund

Empowering Graduate Students to Build Sustainable Futures

By: Chelsea Liddy Pivtorak

Just in time for Earth Day, a Michigan Ross alumnus has established a new sustainability-focused scholarship fund, hoping to help underrepresented students pursue their dream careers while meeting urgent environmental and social needs.

Miguel Andrés Sossa-Mardomingo, MBA/MS ’13, serves as Vice President and Americas Sustainability GTM Lead at global consulting firm Capgemini. Based in Seattle, much of Sossa-Mardomingo’s work is focused on navigating high-profile clients through complex sustainability and organizational challenges.

The  Miguel Andrés Sossa-Mardomingo (MÁS) Scholarship Fund  will provide support for admitted graduate students who are pursuing the  Erb Institute’s  dual MBA/MS degree in sustainable business enterprise. “We are in the race of a lifetime to create a more sustainable world,” said Sossa-Mardomingo. “Yet, today, we lack the necessary voices and ideas of leaders from underrepresented communities who are often most overburdened by the adverse effects of climate change. Through this scholarship, I aspire to close this gap by inspiring a diverse array of leaders to join me in safeguarding our shared future.”

During his graduate career, Sossa-Mardomingo had classmates who felt they had to choose between jobs that either created positive impact or provided for the future they wanted. Through the  MÁS Scholarship Fund , he hopes to send a message that recipients can choose sustainable career paths that allow them to “do good while doing well.”

Reflecting on his career motivations, Sossa-Mardomingo credited his father, who grew up on a farm in Colombia, and his mother, a Cuban refugee and librarian. They encouraged him to respect nature, conserve resources, and continuously learn, all lessons his wife (Marie-Lise Perrault, pictured above), his family, and he apply in supporting their communities today.

His U-M education has helped him to assess sustainability challenges, build authentic relationships, and lead global teams. “I loved my time at Ross SEAS: one of the best dual-degree sustainability programs in the world,” he said. “I am forever thankful for my lifelong friends, world-class professors, merit-based scholarships, and enriching global experiences. The Erb Institute has one of the best dual-degree programs in the world, and it is now an honor to give back.”

“Climate change and related environmental justice issues are intensifying every year,” continued Sossa-Mardomingo. “There is no time to waste! We need as many great thinkers and doers out there to join us, and I hope this scholarship can help pave the way.”

Sossa-Mardomingo invites and encourages others to contribute to the new  MÁS Scholarship Fund . 

Language selection

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Scholarships

View eligibility details of merit-based scholarships for undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral studies.

Services and information

International business scholarships.

Scholarships for students pursuing a career or furthering their studies in international business or that combine business with environmental or sustainability studies.

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master's Program

Scholarships for graduate students undertaking research either in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences or humanities.

International Development Research Centre research awards

Awards for Canadians, permanent residents of Canada and citizens of developing countries pursuing masters or doctoral studies or having completed a master's or doctoral program.

• International Development Research Centre

Awards for Canadians, permanent residents of Canada and citizens of developing countries pursuing their doctoral studies at a Canadian university.

Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program

Scholarships for doctoral students with exceptional academic performance in the social sciences or humanities.

International Scholarships Program

Scholarships for international students and for Canadian students who want to study abroad.

Dick Martin Scholarship Award

Money for students enrolled in an occupational health and safety related course or program in Canada.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Money for doctoral students. Recipients are based on academic excellence, research potential and leadership.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

Money for postdoctoral applicants, who will positively contribute to Canada’s economic, social and research-based growth.

Natural sciences and engineering awards

Scholarships and fellowships for undergraduates, postgraduate and post-doctoral students.

Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool

Searchable list of bursaries, scholarships and incentives across Canada.

Royal Military College scholarships and awards

Money for officer cadets who are members of the Regular Officer Training Plan.

H.L. Holmes Award for Post-Doctoral Studies

Money to help post-doctoral students do research under outstanding researchers at world-famous schools

Contributors

• Employment and Social Development Canada
• Indigenous Services Canada
• Export Development Canada
• National Research Council Canada
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

More information for

• Indigenous peoples

Page details

Chemistry Graduate Student Awarded James L. Carmon Scholarship

UGA Department of Chemistry graduate student Erica Mitchell has been named the 2024 recipient of the James L. Carmon Scholarship, given by the UGA Office of Research. Named for the late James L. Carmon, a UGA faculty member for 36 years who helped make the university a leader in computing research and development, the academic year scholarship was established by the Control Data Corporation and is awarded to a graduate student whose dissertation/thesis research reflects state-of-the-art utilization of computer and/or networking technology in the sciences or creative arts.

Erica Mitchell, a Ph.D. candidate in the Schaefer research group in the Department of Chemistry, investigates the properties of molecules using a combination of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. The prediction of reliable molecular properties requires a trade-off between accuracy and computational cost. During her time at UGA, Mitchell has worked to implement explicitly correlated methods, which increase the accuracy of electronic structure theory, and apply density functional methods, which decrease the computational burden. Using automatic differentiation or AD, she is striving to get first- and second-order derivatives of explicitly correlated methods to obtain optimal molecular structures and vibrations at a low computational cost. This research will offer a new approach to achieve molecular properties by utilizing AD for a method with no known derivatives. By generating exact derivative properties of explicitly correlated methods, chemists will have access to highly reliable and accurate results to predict chemical properties, thereby aiding experimental observations.

Congratulations to Ms. Mitchell on this outstanding achievement!

We appreciate your financial support. Your gift is important to us and helps support critical opportunities for students and faculty alike, including lectures, travel support, and any number of educational events that augment the classroom experience.  Click here to learn more about giving .

Every dollar given has a direct impact upon our students and faculty.

Got More Questions?

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Contact Us!

Assistant to the Department Head:   D onna Spotts , 706-542-1919 

Main office phone: 706-542-1919 

Main Email:   [email protected]

Head of Chemistry: Prof. Jason Locklin

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PhD Scholarships Call 2024

The School of Communications at DCU is home to almost 1,000 students at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD levels. With a tradition stretching back more than 40 years, the School is defined by excellence in both teaching and research in communication, journalism and multimedia studies.

The School’s academics undertake research that contributes to national and international debates and public policy formation. They also lead research projects supported by national and international funders. This cutting-edge research is across a range of (inter)disciplinary fields including (new) media studies, media history, journalism studies, science communication, political communication, social media studies, film and television studies, music industry studies, advertising, and cultural studies. In the past five years, the School has supported approximately 40 doctoral students to achieve PhD awards through this scheme.

The School now has an opening for three funded PhD scholarships (across a four-year duration).

Thematic Areas

In this call, we invite applications in the following thematic areas:

Media power in the age of online influencers .  Fellowships in this area will engage with questions of media pluralism and diversity. They will describe how long-established metrics for legacy media influence (circulation and audience data) developed and ask how appropriate they are for understanding media influence. Proposals should discuss how media influence might be conceptualized in the abstract and consider how we might devise concrete metrics for influence which a) capture how influence is exercised in the online space (by, for example, social media influencers) and b) permits some comparison of the impact of legacy and online media influence. For more information contact Dr Roddy Flynn ( [email protected] ) and Dr Neil O’Boyle ( [email protected] ).

Contemporary Urban Living and Citizen Wellbeing:  Fellowship(s) in this area will ideally adopt an interdisciplinary approach that focuses on exposing and addressing issues related to contemporary urban living and citizen wellbeing, such as (but not limited to) the increasing influence of digital media technologies and AI on urban living, mobility and environmental issues. Particularly relevant are proposals that involve the practical application or analysis of the role of participatory and performance art, interactive installations, UI, UX, film, AR, VR, adversarial design and/or citizen participation towards addressing these issues. In addition to traditional (monograph) PhD formats, projects with practice-based elements will be considered. For further information, please contact Dr Marcos Dias ( [email protected] )

Media, Culture, and Women:  Fellowship(s) in this area should be focused on the general topic of the media industries (news and journalism; or social media; or the creative and cultural industries) and women. This focus could include topics which look at women in contemporary news media and/or media industries in general, or take a historic look at this subject. Alternatively, the proposal could investigate how particular issues that impact on women and girls are covered and framed by the media such as women in sport, fertility issues (e.g., surrogacy), women’s health, or contemporary debates around gender identity and women’s rights. Research proposals could also centre questions of social media, practices of news reporting or the changing media landscape, and its impact on the lives, experiences, and inclusion of women and girls in Ireland or internationally. For further information, please contact  Dr Aileen O’Driscoll ( [email protected] ) and   Dr Dawn Wheatley  ( [email protected] ).

How to apply

Candidates can apply to only one of the three thematic areas listed above and should clearly indicate which area their application addresses. If candidates have applied (or are going to apply) for other scholarships at DCU, this must be clearly stated in their emails to the potential supervisors.  

Applicants are invited to submit:

A  2,000-word research proposal  

A brief CV  detailing academic qualifications and professional experience to date.

Indicative components of the research proposal are: 

a preliminary literature review, locating the work in the appropriate field(s); 

clearly defined research questions; 

proposed methodology; 

indicative contribution of the research to disciplinary knowledge; 

a bibliography (not included in the word count).

NB.  Applicants  must   contact the relevant supervisor  prior  to submitting an application. Applications submitted without prior contact with listed supervisors may be disqualified. 

NB.  All applications should be submitted to  Ms. Eileen Myers , Secretary, School of Communications, DCU ( [email protected] ), clearly indicating the thematic area under which they are applying.

Closing date for applications :  31 May 2024. 

Eligibility

Applicants must: 

Hold a relevant undergraduate degree at 2.1 or first-class honours level (or equivalent). Ideally, they should also hold a relevant Masters qualification. Candidates who are currently completing a Masters qualification are welcome to apply.

Meet, where relevant, the English language requirements for non-native speakers of English.

DCU Entry Requirements applies, which are detailed  here

Criteria for assessment and next steps

The initial assessment of the proposal is based on the criteria below: 

Quality of the research proposal (strong research question, relevant literature / theoretical frameworks, etc.) 

Merit of the proposed research methodology

Compatibility of proposed topic/field of scholarship with three thematic areas defined above

Suitability for research student teaching and related professional development

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to conduct an interview (either in person or online) to discuss their research proposal, academic and professional background and achievements, and their motivations to undertake PhD level research at DCU. The interviews will take place in June 2024. 

Criteria to assess the interviews include: 

Knowledge of topic / ability to speak competently to proposal 

Communication skills 

Prior publications / conference contributions and commitment to publish during 

Suitability for research student teaching and related professional; development 

Professional experience / ability to complete projects / meet deadlines; 

Motivation for taking on the challenge of a PhD project and awareness of what is involved. 

Successful candidates then will be required to apply formally to be admitted as PhD scholars, and may also need to show proficiency in the English language. Successful candidates will begin their studies in September 2024 and are required to be normally resident in Dublin for the duration of their studies.

Further information

For the scholarship details and fees please consult the FHSS scholarship policy, which is linked  here.

General information on making a Postgraduate Research application is available from the  Graduate Studies Office.

• Apply to UMaine

Kathryn Roderick is the 2024 Kent & Billie Anger Graduate Student Research Award Recipient

The Psychology Department is pleased to announce that Kathryn Roderick is the inaugural Kent and Billie Anger Graduate Student Research Fund award recipient. This fund was established with a gift in 2023 from Kent and Billie Anger. Kent earned his doctorate in experimental psychology in 1974 from the University of Maine.

Kathryn Roderick is a 4th year PhD Candidate in Psychological Sciences at the University of Maine. Growing up in Virginia, the supportive environment created by Kathryn’s family instilled in her a love of learning, an inquisitive spirit, and a desire to give back to her community. Her decision to pursue a doctoral degree stems from a desire to further her expertise and contribute to the education and training of future psychology professionals. Kathryn’s research broadly focuses on conflict resolution. In her current work she is focusing on how individuals confront discrimination and prejudice, what makes such confrontations effective, and how individuals from diverse backgrounds are perceived when they confront.

The Kent and Billie Anger Graduate Student Research Fund will play a crucial role in supporting Kathryn’s dissertation research. Kathryn is passionate about representing, and understanding, the unique perspectives of individuals from diverse backgrounds in her research. This funding will enable her to compensate research participants and broaden the scope of her data collection efforts. By facilitating a more diverse sample, this financial support will enhance the quality and depth of Kathryn’s research findings, ultimately contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field of psychology. This funding is vital to a scholar like Kathryn who is passionate about reducing conflict among individuals from diverse backgrounds.

•   /  

PhD student Lily Chen receives Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation grant

The UNC School of Nursing proudly announces that Jian (Lily) Chen, a second-year PhD student and Royster Fellow, has been awarded a 2-year grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation North Carolina. This grant, totaling $540,000, will support Chen’s research project in collaboration with the United Chinese Americans (UCA) WAVES Youth Mental Health Collaborative.

As WAVES Executive Director and Principal Investigator of the project, titled “Identifying Health Priorities in Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities,” Chen will lead efforts to assess the health needs and barriers faced by Asian American Native Hawaiians Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) communities across North Carolina. Through data collection and analysis methods, including focus groups, comprehensive health surveys, and in-depth interviews, the research seeks to shed light on the unique challenges and disparities experienced by these communities.

“I am thrilled to receive this incredible support from the Blue Cross NC Foundation,” says Chen. “For too long, the AANHPI community has been underrepresented and underreported in health research, yet experienced large health disparity due to unique cultural and structural barriers. The grant will allow our coalition to build scientific evidence through authentic community engagement and empowerment using vigorous research methodology. I am so grateful for our community to be seen and heard, and excited to start this important work.”

The project will be conducted in partnership with various community organizations, including the Karen Community Farm at Oaky Groves, a Refugee Community, and 13 other community partners, including AAPI organizations, county and municipality senior services, and an education center. Researchers from North Carolina Central University, Duke University, and UNC-Chapel Hill will also collaborate closely to ensure the success of the project.

For more information about the project, please visit ucausa.org/waves-programs/

Grace Wu receives funding for law enforcement health research

Zègre-Hemsey and Kitzmiller receive Carolina Next Funding

BSN student receives FNSNA Scholarship