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Scholarship and Grant Tips for Nontraditional Students
Returning students can qualify for plenty of scholarship and grant opportunities.
By Jose Vasquez, author of Free Cash for College: The Everyday Students' Guide to Financial Aid
April 21, 2009
Like many nontraditional students, I found the process of returning to school intimidating. Worries hung over my head. How would I pay my bills? Support my family? Pay my tuition?
It was those questions that drove me to begin my own scholarship hunt. I used FastWeb, asked friends and kept my eyes open.
Yet when I found scholarships I was eligible for, I became worried as I filled out the applications. Many of them had essay questions like:
- What is your greatest strength?
- What types of community service have you performed?
- Why does your background make you an ideal candidate for this award?
I knew that I would be competing against high school students who, I believed, had better applications. They had time to perform community service and play sports, and many of them had better grades. I, on the other hand, had dropped out of school to support a family and didn’t have time to volunteer. I perceived these as weaknesses to be overcome.
However, by following the steps below, I was able to transform these weaknesses into scholarship qualifications.
Step 1: Identify Your Strengths
Write down what you believe are your strong points: personality traits, life experiences, lessons learned. It could be anything from your work ethic to how you raise your children.
Step 2: Write Down Your “Weaknesses”
The word “weaknesses” is in quotes because what you perceive as a detriment may, in fact, be the very thing that sets you apart from other applicants. Take an honest inventory of what you believe may work against you.
Step 3: Make Your Weaknesses Your Strengths
As you look at your list, you may be thinking, “How can this help me?” To start, pick one of your weaknesses from the list and ask yourself these questions:
- How did I cope with this experience/weakness?
- What good qualities/traits did this experience bring out in me?
- How has this made me a better person?
For instance, I didn’t finish high school because I needed to help support my family. I believed that not having a high school diploma was a drawback. However, I tried to convey to judges how this experience was actually a show of character; it displayed strengths such as responsibility, determination, hard work, family loyalty.
Each life experience – positive or negative – is a lesson learned. Those lessons should be the theme in your scholarship essays and applications. Put your best foot forward and make your strengths shine through. You will be surprised at the effect it has on your applications… and your wallet!
Jose Vasquez has been awarded 27 scholarships totaling more than $100,000 in aid. He is a public speaker and the author of Free Cash for College: The Everyday Students’ Guide to Financial Aid.

hmuthonik
4 months ago
great inspiration article for a non traditional student
lizziened
4 months ago
I'll see how that works. Thank you!
ShanquestaB2
4 months ago
WOW this imformation that you are giving me is very important because the web sit itself helps me look for scholarships and grants thans a lot
Flanders2400
5 months ago
Wow..this is fascinating information. I am 63, just finishing up a few courses for the summer but keeping in mind that it has been 20 or 30 years since I was in a class where I had to read a book and take an exam. WOW...I plan on continuing because in 1964 I started and now I am going to finish. I am on a fixed income, I did receive the general grants but I am worried about this fall. I am a visual artist, and I'm working on an Associates in Fine Arts....I want this so bad!!! I believe where there's a will, there's a way which is why I decided to enter my comment here. Jose, you are a light at the end of the tunnel and I will keep looking for money to finish this rather than give up! My work can be viewed at mnartist.org\sally_warlick. Thank you and if something pops in your head that may be beneficial to me, well, I will be checking your site again.
mbecker130
5 months ago
This was very informative and inspiring. Thank you.
KrystalK154
5 months ago
This bit of information will be helpful in my journey as a college student I have never thought to apply these suggestions before . I was like the writer afraid becuase I am no longer in highschool that my essay wouldn't be as significant as some of my competitors. Although, I have completed two years of college thus far. I have been very confused on what would be the best way to approach grants and scholarships that asked about my background and weakness and strengths. Thank you Fast Web and the writer I now know what steps I can take to present the best essay I can possible. As it has been stated "No one knows you better than yourself !"
MaishaW4
5 months ago
i am a 34 year old mom who gose to school and take online clasees working three jobs with three kids and a husband i need to find some money to help pay my bills
riddick
5 months ago
I am a 43 year old man and I trying to get back in school. I attended two semesters at Houston Community College, and then quicly ran out of money to continue. I work as a school bus driver, and just cant afford to go back to school, I am trying very hard to find some assistant, dont need a loan, just need some help, any suggestion would help me grately...
CynthiaE153
5 months ago
I am a 49 year old single mom and I need to continue my Education , but I have so many bills and the last thing I need is a Loan I am in School but I'm having trouble making ends meet the FAFSA isn't enough so what can I do
AmandaP106
5 months ago
I am a 31 year old mother of three children. My husband drves a truck so he is not home to help me. I am currently in college, but it is getting to where we just can't afford it. I have to many student loans already and wih child care and travel to and from college it is just getting to hard to afford. I have been applying to fastweb, but it doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere! I get the FAFSA but it is not enough to cover tuition. Any advice?
ChrystleT2
5 months ago
I am also unemployed and because my tax return for last year was over the income limit, I didn't qualify for any sort of financial aid. However, the university I was applying to has something called a Special Circumstance form that the FA office can use to change your FAFSA information. You have to submit copies of a lot of stuff to support your claim of special circumstance (tax return, unemployment decision letter, etc. After I did all that my updated FA said that I was eligible for Federal aid and aid from the college. My new tutiion is 219.00 per year. Ask for the Special Circumstance form before you give up based on cost.
DecaraH
5 months ago
I am a proud mother of four beautiful children.I am back in school for medical assistant,which hopeful I will graduate from.I only have one of my children in school.My oldest daughter and the twins are too little, so I have too pay some extra money for child care than I usually would.But I know with just a little extra help my dreams too have a wonderful life for my children would come true!!!!
patrsimms
5 months ago
I am a unemployed mother of 4 and I am so thrilled about going back to school, but I am in the need of financial assistance. I am interested in entering the medical field ( Nursing Administration), and I hope that I am not too old to do so. I have recently lost my job, my home, and my car; all in a few months apart. So, I am praying that someone out there could help me accomplish what I want to do, and that's going back to school so that I could make a difference in this world.
P.S. I f you could be of any assistance in helping me financially, please don't hesitate to contact me through email at patrsimmssmith@yahoo.com. Thank you and GOD BLESS!!!
brianolvr11
5 months ago
AJYounger trade schools will take you right away. I just enrolled at UTI and it costs 75 down, if you cant get outside loans just go through the process of trying to get them, most schools will fund you if you tried and have proof of being denied. Take the steps and you will get it man. I was discouraged myself, its easier than I ever imagined.
DantonioR
5 months ago
i want to college... mi goal was success life in college.. mi parent aint loan for me go to college