Scholarship options for adults returning to college?

My parent is considering going back to college after a long break. Are there scholarships specifically for adults returning to college? Any advice on where to start looking or which scholarships are the most accessible?

There are a lot of scholarship options available for adults returning to college. To start searching for scholarships, your parent might want to create a profile on search engines like Appily, Scholarship.com, or Fastweb. These websites have extensive databases of scholarships and will match your parent with scholarships based on their profile, including age and educational status.

In terms of specific scholarships, one that comes to mind is the Lifelong Learning Scholarship from Study.com, which is aimed at adult learners. Another one to look at is the Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund, which is aimed at women aged 35 and up who are pursuing a degree or vocational training. There's also the Osher Reentry Scholarship Program, which supports students with a gap of five or more years in their education.

In addition, many local adult education centers, community colleges, and state education departments also offer scholarships and grants for adult learners.

One helpful tip for the application process is to pay close attention to the eligibility criteria. Scholarships meant for adult learners typically have specific requirements, such as age, employment status, or having an education gap, so your parent will want to make sure they meet all the criteria before spending time on the application.

Lastly, don't forget to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even as an adult returning to college, your parent might be eligible for federal grants, loans, or work-study funds. Make sure to look into this as it can be a significant source of financial aid.