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Returning to school at any age requires a huge commitment of both time and money. With the changing climate of education throughout the world and particularly in the United States, more and more individuals are seeking nontraditional routes toward higher education. While people will endlessly discuss the rising popularity of online degree options, fewer people know about education opportunities for individuals later in life. There are several useful scholarships and governmental grants offered to women who are over the age of 50 and interested in returning to school.



When exploring options in financial aid, it is important to fully understand the difference between a scholarship and a governmental grant. A scholarship is typically awarded to an individual by the education institution they wish to attend or by a private organization or company. Grants are awarded by governmental funds and with governmental assistance. While there are some technical differences between financial grants and scholarships, the terms are often used interchangeably. Both refer to money that is provided by an outside source to help an individual achieve a degree or further their education. In today's society, many older individuals are seeking education opportunities to further their careers or further enrich their lives. There are several financial aid options for women who are stuck in jobs with no room for advancement, are caring for a family, or have been out of the workforce for an extended period of time.

AARP Scholarship

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) scholarship offers opportunities to many of its members. Women who are over the age of 40 and demonstrate a financial need for assistance qualify for the award so that they can partake in a secondary school or vocational training. There are a few restrictions on this scholarship, requiring the women who are awarded it to use the funds toward a four-year or two-year university experience. The AARP fund cannot be used toward post-secondary education. The aid is aimed specifically towards women who have found themselves in job positions that do not allow for any advancement without further education or who never received a complete education because of family duties. So, this financial aid is not applicable for the 50+-year-old woman who wishes to obtain a master's degree or doctorate.

Talbot's Scholarship Fund

The Talbot's scholarship fund is aimed toward women ready "to start a new chapter and pursue a college degree later in life." This scholarship is awarded to women who have received their GED or high school diploma at least 10 years prior. Each year the fund provides six carefully selected women with a $10,000 scholarship and 60 other women with a $1,000 scholarship. The larger scholarship is awarded to women wishing to obtain a four-year degree, whereas the $1000 dollar scholarships are awarded to women seeking specific vocational, technical, or associate's degrees.

Jeanette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund

In 1916, the first women were elected to the United States Congress. In 1978, the Jeanette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund was created to honor them. This fund has awarded over $1.6 million to over 600 women in the United States. In order to qualify for this award, women must be over the age of 35, live in a low-income situation as defined by the scholarship, be a U.S. citizen, and be enrolled or accepted to an accredited institution for a technical degree, vocational degree, associate's degree, or first-time bachelor's degree. This fund seeks to provide new opportunities for women who may not otherwise have them.

By-line:
This guest contribution was submitted by Lenore Holditch, who specializes in writing about top online colleges. Questions and comments can be sent to: holditch.lenore @ gmail.com.

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