ByFinding the Best Non-Traditional Student Scholarships May Be Easier Than You Think!
Finding the right scholarship can be a daunting task, especially if you are looking for a non-traditional one. Contrary to popular belief, there is a plethora of non-traditional student scholarships out there that cater to a wide range of requirements—even accommodating international and graduate students!
These scholarships are spread out across numerous websites and could take days to sift through. If you think the process is too complicated and takes too long, to make your search easier!
Non-Traditional Student Scholarships and Grants—The Basics
While most scholarships tend to focus on GPA or merit, the selection criteria of non-traditional scholarships for students is based on many other aspects. Students may be eligible for these scholarships and grants if they:
- Have not been involved in education for a long time
- Have received a GED in lieu of a traditional high school diploma
- Are high school seniors who are interested in pursuing non-traditional or technical careers
- Suffer from a physical or mental disability
- Are a single parent
- Have skills and achievements in non-traditional fields
- Come from a disadvantaged community
- Are transitioning from one career field to another
Which Non-traditional Scholarships Can You Get?
Non-traditional scholarships are aplenty if you know where to look. The problem is that you are not likely to find them all in one place. You might be looking for community college or music scholarships or those for doctoral students, high school juniors, or teachers, but finding them all in the same search engine can take days, if not weeks.
Here are some scholarships for non-traditional students that may cater to your needs:
| Scholarship | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|
| “Find Your Drive” Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Epilepsy Reach Education Scholarship Program | $1,000 |
| EWI of Dallas ASIST Scholarship | Varies |
| Ernest and Charlene Stachowiak Memorial Scholarship | Varies |
| Catch A Break! Scholarship Program | $44,000 |
| Smart Service Scholarship | $1,000 |
| Shirley Martin Scholarship for Young Songwriters | $500 |
| Elizabeth M. Mauro Reimbursement Program | $1,000 |
| Davis Memorial Scholarship | $5,000 |
| State of Wisconsin Financial Aid | Varies |
| Stephanie H.Greene Memorial Scholarship | Varies |
Non-Traditional Scholarships for Women
A large portion of non-traditional scholarships is aimed at women. These opportunities include the following:
- AAIA Scholarships
- AAUW Carlisle Higher Education Scholarship
- AAUW's Re-Entry Scholarship
- AAUW Return to Learning Scholarships
- AAUW Educational Foundation International Fellowships
- Arizona BPW Foundation Scholarship
- EWNJ Graduate Merit Award Program
- Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier "Sister to Sister" Scholarship
- Cary Woman’s Club Mature Woman’s Scholarship
- Scholarships for Lutheran Laywomen
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarship Program
- Women Empowering Women Scholarship
- SWE - Detroit Section Josie Rewald Memorial Community College Scholarship
- The Marie A. Calderilla Scholarship
- Women With Promise Scholarship
- Women on Par Scholarship
- WWIN Star Scholarship
- Women of the South Primary Provider Scholarship
- Women in Transition Scholarship
- Wisconsin Women in Lodging & HSMAI-WI
- Wisconsin Women in Lodging & HSMAI-WI
What Other Non-Traditional Scholarships Are Out There?
Non-traditional scholarship opportunities are also available to various other groups, such as minorities, veterans, neurodivergent individuals, disadvantaged communities, victims of domestic violence, etc. Here are some examples of them:
- AAIA Scholarships
- Central California Asian Pacific Women Scholarship
- CDGA Foundation Scholarship
- CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship
- CCPA Native American Scholarship
- Beacon® Scholarship for Rural America
- BCC Foundation Donna Johnson Memorial Scholarship
- Arc of Cape Cod Edward & Lorraine O'Neill Scholarship
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarship Program
- Deblinger Family Scholarship
- Steuben County Community Foundation Donor Established Scholarships
- Spertus Institute Mid Career Graduate Fellowships
- You First Foundation Scholarship
How To Apply for a Non-traditional Scholarship
Depending on the kind of scholarship opportunity you are interested in, the application process might differ. Almost all programs require students to fill out an official application, while a few may ask for additional documents.
Typically, when applying for scholarships, you will need to submit at least one of the following documents to be considered for the financial aid:
- FAFSA
- Resume and/or cover letter
- Scholarship essay
- Report card and/or GED scores
- One or more letters of recommendation
Some schools may require you to show proof of citizenship or belonging to a certain tribe or community. Make sure you always have multiple copies of all your official documents—especially if you plan to apply for more than one opportunity—as some schools may not return them to you regardless of your application status.
Search and Apply for Non-Traditional Scholarships With DoNotPay
The never-ending list of websites that contain information about scholarships will do nothing but waste your time and drain your energy. The process may seem even more tiresome when you are on the hunt for the perfect scholarship that fits all your needs!
DoNotPay can simplify the procedure significantly by showing you a custom-made list of scholarships that you are eligible to apply for! If you are interested in no-essay scholarships, you can even choose to apply for them automatically through our app!
All you have to do is:
- and look for the Apply for Scholarships option
- Answer a few basic questions about your current and intended levels of education
- Put in a few details about yourself
If you don’t want to apply automatically, DoNotPay will show you a full list of scholarships that match your criteria.
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