Finding scholarships for adults starting college for the first time

My older sibling is thinking about going to college for the first time as an adult. Are there scholarships that support adults who are just now starting college? Any advice on where to begin?

Indeed, there are many scholarships available that specifically target adults returning to school or starting college for the first time. Two good places to start looking are the federal government and local community colleges.

The Federal Pell Grant, for instance, is not specifically for adults, but many adults qualify for it due to its income-based eligibility. It's not a scholarship per se, but it is free money for education that doesn't need to be paid back, much like a scholarship.

Local community colleges also often have scholarships or grants specifically for adults returning to education, so your sibling could consider starting their educational journey there. Many community colleges maintain relationships with local businesses and community organizations that offer scholarships. For instance, the American Association of University Women offers some scholarships and grants specifically for women returning to school after time away.

Another useful resource is the website of the college or university your sibling is interested in. Many institutions recognize the value of non-traditional students and will have specific resources and scholarships listed for them.

Finally, there are several free scholarship search engines such as Fastweb and Appily that allow for personalized scholarship searches. You can filter scholarships based on age, education level, and other demographic information, which can be a very effective way to find scholarships specifically intended for older or non-traditional students.

Remember, every bit of funding helps, so apply for multiple scholarships and don’t disregard the smaller awards. All the best to your sibling in their pursuit of higher education!