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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.
CarrieS221
5 months ago
I am 49 years young and going back to school after 30 years. I have been in the animal care taking and training business for most of that 30 years. I don't have children ( unless you count the 4 dogs and 5 horses), and I've never been married. I've taken care of other peoples horses and trained them and worked full time at Veterinarian offices as an assistant. I' m also self trained artist who is now trying to go to school to use my art talents in a way that I may be able to make a better life than what I have. I would like to own a place of my own that I could give riding lessons to those kids that can't afford to have a horse, and teach them responsibility. Signed wheatchex
ajyounger
5 months ago
I am a young African American male in a single parent home. My mother was denied as a cosigner for a loan and my father refuses to sign a loan for me. I want to go to school to better myself.
Tinahale
5 months ago
I am a 50 year old, have raised her children and now looking forward to going to school so that I will be able to better myself.
ambitiousme
5 months ago
I am Mary Cordle 59 and wish to re-enter college. I had graduated in 2006 and this article is very helpful for me. I was wondering how I would add what all I had been through to make me what I am today. Thank you so much. Many Blessings.
maxmba
5 months ago
scholarships on fastweb are generally for the unitd states only and most of them, unfortunately, for u.s. citizens and perm. residents only. i found that out being german looking for a scholarship in the u.s. but no luck, apparently people think all germans are rich or not deserving.
we are looking for grants or scholarships for my mexican husband for an mba after recently becoming perm. residents. any suggestions? we have kids and i cant work because of that so we need to see how to finance his mba.
MichaelT2120
5 months ago
My,strengths, are that I LOVE! GOD! and PEOPLE! I am a true leader, I have no problem, taking instructions, or listening to authority, I make freinds easy , I get along with everyone! And I want to HELP! all those, who are hurting and addicted! Ifeel my biggest, weakness is getting to close to someone, and then losing them! I am seeking a degree, in human services, and CD counseling and TRULY! Want to help those who are hurting and addicted!!!! I am also a CHRISTIAN, and BORN AGAIN , A TRUE BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST!!!
LauraF788
5 months ago
I am a 44 year old single mother of two. I have recently enrolled in the Univ of Phoenix for my Assoc Deg in Healthcare Administration. This decision was made due to the change in the economy. I was employed in the building business for the last 27 years. With that falling apart, I had to make a career change to properly care for my children. I am also setting an example for my children to see that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.
ErasmusH
5 months ago
iam from poor families ,canyuo help agrant for doing masters in economics
Bonnie_Jean123456
6 months ago
im am 48 years old i got my ged in 2006 im a single mom supporting a family i am looking to go to collage to further my education and become a registered nurse and i really need the financial aid because i never have any money after the bills are paid
sartipat
6 months ago
I am a returning student. I am over 60. I started school in 1966, right out of High School. I got married, had a child, then divorced and was a single mother for 15 years. She worked and put herself through school, she now is encouraging me to go back. I have always wanted to finish my degree. However, working and going to school, is going to be hard and without the income to pay for the school, will be a challenge. That is why I really need grants. I will be doing the classes year round to be able to finish in good time so that I can get going on the job at hand.
Patricia Artiglio
lilday50
6 months ago
i really need some financial help. I need some grant money to help pay for school expenses. I am going back to school after many years and want to accomplish something in life. I am studying to get an associate degree in medical billing.
TaifusinC
6 months ago
I have strong in Electronic and have computer skills. High good in computer skills and art skills. I am doing community services in business and I am qualify for the award that I have hardworking in the business and computer skills.My experiences in high skills computer data entry and internet performance. I have get any experience from this website scholarship until i web browsing and found this fastweb. I hope I can get this scholarship to change my life to help me out to finish my goals in my career.
AnastasiaK61
6 months ago
Hi am wambui from kenya -africa .Am looking for a scholarship for my doctoral studies degree in Educational Administration.Am already admitted and registering with a local kenyan university.Are the scholarships advertised by fastweb for one ccontinent or are they global.advice please
NadiaH96
6 months ago
My name is nadia I have been laid off from my job for a year, I'm a single mother and I wanted to know if there is any grants I may be eligible for. I've heard about this nurse shortage and how students are going to school basically for free. I have searched the web for these grants but haven't discovered any sources. My unemployment has been exhausted so I have absolutely no income. I was awarded a full Pell Grant because my family contribution was "0". But I'm attending (ECPI Tecnical College)a nontraditional school for Practical Nursing and I had to apply for student loans for the remainder balance. nadia_harris@peoplepc.com
jennyspratt
6 months ago
MY name is Jenny Spratt I have recently been laid of from my job of 10 years. I'm a single mom of three and would like to see what scholarships are available to me. I'm interested in Nursing or becoming an EMT. booskiey@comcast.net