• The Association for Non-traditional Students in Higher Education – ANTSHE is dedicated to the support and encouragement of adult students who are pursuing their degrees in higher education. The association administers three scholarship programs, the Marius “Gabe” Degabriel Scholarship, the Kazimour Scholarship and the Contributors Scholarship. Award amounts vary, depending on course of studies, academic achievement and financial need. • The Osher Reentry Scholarship Program – The Bernard Osher Foundation provides scholarships for returning students whose college education has been interrupted for a minimum of five years. Applicants must be between the ages of 25 – 50, and must be attending a cooperating college or university. Award amounts vary, and are determined by financial need. • The Adult Students in Scholastic Transition Scholarship – The ASIST program is supported by Executive Women International, and is available to all adult learners who are returning to college for educational training to improve their career opportunities. Applicants may be single parents, displaced homemakers, or individuals entering the workforce for the first time. 150 scholarships are awarded annually, ranging from $1000 – $2500.
• The Denny’s Single Parent Student Scholarship is designed to support the college ambitions of Denny’s employees with an Hispanic background. The scholarship is open to all employees of the food chain, regardless of age, who are single a parents. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university, and must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Award amounts range from $500 to $1500. • The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship provides scholarship assistance to single parents attending college in the state of Arkansas. Award amounts are determined by financial need.
Scholarships for Women A large percentage of so-called non-traditional students are women. Many women put their college careers on hold, choosing the much more difficult task of raising a family. Often, as children grow and family conditions change, women make the decision to return to college. They may be preparing to enter the workforce for the first time, or are eager to advance their career through additional education and training. Many scholarships specifically target both traditional, and non-traditional, female students. These scholarship programs may be sponsored by professional associations, corporations or women’s advocacy groups.
Scholarships for Single Parents
The following examples will provide a brief overview of what may be available to non-traditional female students.
Single parents account for a large proportion of nontraditional students. In an effort to improve life for themselves and their children, single parents often return to college for specific educational training that will make them more valuable in a crowded workforce. Completing a college education gives single parents greater career opportunities, and consequently provides a more stable and secure home life for their families.
• The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program provides encouragement and financial support for survivors of spousal abuse. The object of the scholarship is to help survivors of abuse obtain the education they need to secure employment, independence and self sufficiency. Scholarships may be applied to state supported community universities, vocational schools or private colleges. Award amounts vary according to financial need.
Many professional associations, corporations and local governments sponsor scholarships for single parents who are heading to college as a way to improve the future prospects of their families.
• The Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund is dedicated to low income women 35 years of age, or older, who are working to secure meaningful careers and break the cycle of poverty. Named in honor of the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress, the scholarship helps low income women attain their educational goals. Award amounts vary, are based on financial need.
• The George Snow Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for single parents who are returning to college to complete courses that will move them forward in the workplace. These are regional scholarships available to students in the Palm Beach and Broward counties of Florida. Award amounts vary, depending on the student’s status, and the availability of funds. Students must be enrolled at a cooperating state college or university.
• The Linda Lael Miller Scholarship for Women is aimed at female students aged 25 years or older. The purpose of the scholarship is to help women obtain the education they need to succeed in a male dominated competitive marketplace. Special attention is given to single