Mature Adults and Older Students Returning to School can Receive School and College Grants
Not everybody has the opportunity to go to college directly after finishing high school for one reason or another. In recent years, colleges have seen an increase in the number of adults and mature students returning to school to pursue degree opportunities that were not available or accessible earlier in their lives.

In addition, many older students choose to return to education that simply cannot afford to do so due to financial and personal restraints. In order to combat this issue and to provide support to adults wanting to pursue a college degree, the government, colleges and universities offer grant programs that assist adults with paying tuition fees and other education expenses.

Where to Find Grant Programs

Students who sidestepped college after finishing high school who decide to return to education later in life have the means available pursue a college degree with financial help. Adults can access grants, scholarships and financial aid programs from educational, federal and private sources relatively easy, however research is an import process if you are to be successful.

With proper research, you can find grant and scholarship funds relevant to adults and older students. Some grants target specific adult populations such as women, disabled, minority and veterans whilst other grants focus on adult students in general. Overall, it does not matter if you’re over 25, 30, 40, 50 or 60, whether you’re a student of color or from a native tribe, are Hispanic, Latino or Asian. Grants are available to help with the cost of adult education.

Government Grants for Adults

If you’re an adult student with considerable financial need and your income falls short of the of the average poverty level, assistance may be available from the federal Pell grant. Some states across the US actually have grant programs specifically for adults too for example:

  • The state of Kentucky administers the ‘Kentucky Go Higher Grant’. Kentucky resident adult students returning to school less that half time may qualify for this grant. It is worth up $1000 per year and can be used towards tuition fees and related expenses in conjunction with other forms of financial aid.

A visit to your states department of higher education website or a chat with your college financial aid advisor could reveal some state based grant opportunities in addition to grants that you may qualify for though colleges.

Grants for Older Women

Adult women can access grants for a non-traditional students, and women of ethnic minority or with disabilities may apply for college grants that assist special and minority populations. The fact is there are many grant opportunities for older women returning to school.

Women should begin their research by investigating the college grant programs that support women available through renowned organizations such as Executive Women International who administer the Adult students in Scholastic Transition grant, the Janette Rankin Foundation, American Association of Business Women and the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation.