{"id":43488,"date":"2019-06-12T11:46:49","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T16:46:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/?post_type=advice&p=43488"},"modified":"2023-03-21T07:25:20","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T12:25:20","slug":"where-to-get-grants-instead-of-loans-as-a-non-traditional-student","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/abound.college\/finishcollege\/advice\/where-to-get-grants-instead-of-loans-as-a-non-traditional-student\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Get Grants Instead of Loans as a Non-Traditional Student"},"content":{"rendered":"

Non-traditional students come from a wide range of backgrounds and situations. Many adult learners return to college after a hiatus\u2014perhaps as a result of financial constraints or a family emergency. Other non-traditional students may be starting college for the first time after deciding to pursue new opportunities in a different field. As the job market becomes more and more competitive, an increasing number of adult learners are returning to college. In 2018, a projected <\/span>7.6 million adults aged 25 and older<\/span><\/a> went back to earn their degree. Although there are unique challenges for adult learners, financial aid does not have to be one of them. <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to student loans, there are also opportunities for grants: scholarship money that does not have to be paid back. Many grant programs do not have age restrictions, which means that non-traditional students are not automatically disqualified. If you\u2019re considering going back to school, know your options and take advantage of all the financial support you can get!<\/span><\/p>\n

FAFSA First<\/b><\/h3>\n

Before you look for grants, the most important thing you need to do to figure out your aid options is to fill out the <\/span>Federal Application for Student Aid<\/span><\/a> (FAFSA). Free to submit and easily accessible, this form is the ticket for access to the largest source of financial aid. Most importantly, the FAFSA does not take age into consideration; it\u2019s a tool for traditional and non-traditional college students alike.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve got the FAFSA taken care of, you\u2019re free to explore your options!<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of Grant Programs<\/b><\/h3>\n

Grants from the Federal Government<\/b><\/p>\n

The federal government allocates funds specifically to help students attend college. Many but not all of these programs are available to non-traditional students, so it\u2019s important to conduct thorough research in order to find programs for which adult learners may be eligible. Here are a few examples of federally funded grants:<\/span><\/p>\n