5 Grants for Adults Returning to School

Grants for Adults Going Back to School

Adults might go back to college at some point in their life, and grants for adults going back to school can help cover the costs. They may do it because they want better job opportunities and are now financially stable to pay high tuition fees. Adults who go back to college state three main reasons for their decision:

1. They had quit school because they were unable to pay the high tuition fees.
2. They had family obligations that forced them to quit their studies.
3. They need better opportunities, and going back to school will increase their salary and position in work.

Many adults who take this productive decision have saved up to pay a part of their course fees, but they also have other age-related obligations, like a mortgage, kid's education and family expenses. Any type of financial aid from banks or grants for adults going back to school are beneficial.

Luckily, the government has introduced many grants for adults going back to school. There are certain eligibility conditions and application processes every adult who decides to go back to school must know about to get these grants.

1. Federal Pell Grant

It is the most common grant given to students who had discontinued their bachelor's degree. Adults deciding to go back to college can get up to $6,500 per year for tuition fees. Eligibility depends on the financial situation of the student. The grant committee checks how much expected family contribution or EFC each student can generate. If the student's family and their savings can cover around $17,000 in cost of attendance out of $20,000 total, they will receive the remaining as a grant ($3,000).

Adults going back to school can get the amount for up to six years to complete a four-year bachelor's degree. They will get the required amount every year, and the adult student is expected to finish the entire course within the allotted time. Most working adults use this to study part-time to earn a degree while continuing their job to meet their financial needs. The aid does not come as direct payments except in rare cases, and the college receives the tuition fees from the government directly. The grant amount will decrease if the adult student receives other scholarships or benefits.

2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG grant works similar to the Pell grant, and the students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Instead of the government, the college decides which student gets help (up to $4,000 in grants). Depending on their financial position, some students even receive as little as $100 support through the grant. The money reserve of the school also plays a significant role in the number of students receiving the grant and the amount.

The government provides a small part of the grant while the college funds the remaining amount. Unlike the Pell grant, the money is deposited directly into the bank account of the adult student, and they receive monetary help two times a year. Both postgraduate students and graduate students can apply for this grant.

3. Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

The country needs several teachers, as there is a severe shortage of qualified educators all over the country. The TEACH grant helps adult students go back to school to become teachers. Students pursuing a teaching degree or any other administration diploma in educational fields can apply for TEACH through FAFSA.

1. The TEACH grant offers $3,772 per year for eligible back-to-school adults.
2. The people receiving the grant must serve for four years in a rural school within the first eight years after completing the degree.
3. Only back-to-school adults with a GPA above 3.25 or scoring over 75% on college admission tests are eligible for grant screening. They must pursue their studies only in schools that provide TEACH grants.

There is an option to convert the grant money into a student loan if the adults are not willing to serve in the rural schools.

4. The Emerge Scholarship Awards and Other Women-Oriented Grants

The Emerge scholarships were created to help women who discontinued their studies. The Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Funds offer this scholarship for women aged 25 and up after direct screening. They also have a special scholarship for women over 35 who decide to pursue a degree or vocational course to support their families financially.

The women get questioned about their goals and how they will use the education to empower themselves and their community. They must also provide a valid reason for quitting their studies and restarting now. There is no fixed amount for this scholarship, but a grant to cover a substantial portion of the tuition fees is provided through the education term.

There is a strict limit on maximum annual household income, and a one-member family must not have income exceeding $23,500. Nearly five to seven awards are given to eligible women every year ranging from $200 to $5,000 maximum. The women must submit proof of acceptance from a college identified by the Emerge scholarship committee and show excellent school academic records.

The American Association of University Women scholarship and the Philanthropic Educational Organization scholarship are also for women who want to go back to school. These scholarships aim to help rural women return to school before they are 25 years old to get a better hold on their lives.

The Talbot scholarship helps women who have completed around two semesters in college and decided to quit or have already quit their college education. The AARP fund provides assistance and guidelines for women above 50 years of age who choose to go back to school. Women who choose a vocational school or a trade diploma can apply for this scholarship.

5. Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

Students who discontinued their studies because their parents died in war are eligible for this scholarship. Students under 24 years of age who quit college because of the sudden death of their parents to take care of siblings or support the family financially can get this grant. They can continue their studies after a few years and receive up to $6,000 in funds.