Grants & Scholarships for School for People at 50

People aged 50 or older face some challenges when searching for scholarships and grants for college or university. Opportunities do exist though, and can make all the difference for older students to achieve a higher-education degree in later life. Some assistance is specific to women over 50, or to certain fields of study. In general terms, financial assistance is available to the older student who shows financial need and a strong commitment to completing the degree program.

AARP Scholarships

The Association For The Advancement Of Retired Persons (AARP) Women's Scholarship Program supports higher education for women aged 40 and older from low-income backgrounds. The program assists scholarship recipients pursuing technical education, an associate degree or a first undergraduate degree. Applicants raising the children of another family member, who have low salaries and no career advancement prospects, and who are without retirement or health insurance benefits receive preference. Scholarship applicants away from the workforce for more than five years also receive preferential consideration. AARP scholarships ranged between $500 and $5,000 in 2010.

The Osher Reentry Scholarship

Based in San Francisco, CA, the Bernard Osher Foundation offers scholarship funds to colleges and universities nationwide, with special attention to reentry students. The Osher Reentry Scholarship Program assists undergraduates to complete their degrees after five or more years away. Students who are 50 or older are at the top end of the general age group of 25 to 50 years for this grant. Financial need, academic potential and a commitment to completing the degree course are requirements for the grant, which applies exclusively to tuition. Grant proposals are by invitation only. The foundation supports four-year institutions that serve reentry students for the program.

Talbots Scholarships

In 2011, the Talbots Scholarship Foundation offered up to 10 non-renewable scholarships valued at $15,000 and the $30,000 Nancy Talbot Scholarship, to assist women to earn a college degree later in life. The purpose of the foundation's awards is to empower women between their late 20's and 60's to obtain a college degree. Scholarship applicants are women living in the U.S. or Canada who earned their high school diploma or GED prior to September 2001. They must plan to be full-time or part-time undergraduate students at accredited colleges or universities in the U.S. or Canada. Applications require details of work experience and community involvement; secondary and post-secondary academic records; and financial information.

The Speculative Literature Foundation Older Writers Grant

The Speculative Literature Foundation Older Writers Grant is an annual award for writers who are 50 years or older. Based on merit, applicants for the grant submit an autobiographical statement of 500 words or less that includes date of birth. Candidates also enclose a writing sample of up to 10 pages for drama; 10,000 words for fiction or creative nonfiction; and a one-page synopsis accompanying part of a novel. The applicant must include a bibliography of his published work, as published work is a prerequisite for applying. In 2011, the value of the grant was $750.

References

• AARP: About The Women's Scholarship Program
• AARP: AARP Foundation Overview
• The Bernard Osher Foundation: Osher Reentry Scholarship Program
• The Bernard Osher Foundation: About The Foundation
• Scholarship America: 2011 Talbots Scholarship Foundation
• Speculative Literature Foundation: SLF Older Writers Grant

Resources

• Talbots Scholarship Foundation: Honoring Women's Aspirations For 14 Years
• Business Wire: Scholarships.com Award