Many scholarships have age limits, leaving non-traditional college students (over 25 years of age) out of luck. However, there are still many scholarships out there that have no age requirements, or are specifically open to non-traditional college students.

BEA Scholarship
Sponsor: Broadcast Education Association (BEA)
Amount: Up to $4,000
Closing Date: October 16, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to current college juniors, seniors, and graduate students attending a BEA Member institution. Applicant must be studying radio, television, or other electronic media.

NEWH Atlanta Chapter Scholarship
Sponsor: NEWH: The Hospitality Industry Network – Atlanta Chapter
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: October 16, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students attending an accredited college in Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina or Alabama. Applicant must have completed at least half the requirements for a degree and must be pursuing a career objective in the Hospitality industry (Hotel/Restaurant management, Culinary, Food Service, Architecture, Design, etc).

NEWH | Mid-South (TN, MS, AR) Region Scholarship
Sponsor: NEWH: The Hospitality Industry Network – Mid-South Region
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: October 16, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students attending an accredited college in Tennessee, Arkansas, or Mississippi. Applicant must have completed at least half the requirements for a degree and must be pursuing a career objective in the Hospitality industry (Hotel/Restaurant management, Culinary, Food Service, Architecture, Design, etc.)

SVC Scholarship
Sponsor: Society of Vacuum Coaters Foundation, Inc.
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: October 16, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students entering or currently enrolled in a course of study related to vacuum coating technology at an accredited educational institution.

NEWH | North Central Chapter Scholarship
Sponsor: NEWH _ The Hospitality Industry Network – North Central Chapter
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: October 23, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students attending an accredited college in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, or Wisconsin. Applicant must have completed at least half the requirements for a degree and must be pursuing a career objective in the Hospitality industry (Hotel/Restaurant management, Culinary, Food Service, Architecture, Design, etc.)

Etta Gray Memorial Scholarship Program
Sponsor: UNCF | The William Hipp Family
Amount: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: October 30, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to current students who have a permanent residence in Upstate South Carolina and are pursuing a technical certification (i.e. Computer Technology, PC Programming, and Networking) at specific technical colleges in Upstate, South Carolina.

ACFEF Scholarships for Apprenticeship, Certificate and Post-Secondary Degree Programs
Sponsor: American Culinary Federation
Amount: Up to $2,500
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarships are open to exemplary students who are currently enrolled in an accredited, post-secondary college, with a major in either culinary or pastry arts, or be an ACFEF registered apprentice.

AFCCE Scholarships
Sponsor: Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers
Amount: Up to $2,500
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to college students undertaking a full-time undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited U.S. college or university with a major in engineering or science and related to the telecommunications field.

Bat Conservation International Scholarships
Sponsor: Bat Conservation International
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students who are registered and in good standing with a recognized academic institution. Applicant must submit a proposal for research on bats.

Beyond School Walls Scholarship
Sponsor: Delete Cyberbullying
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to high school students (9th-12th graders), college students, and graduate students attending or planning to enter an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicant must submit an essay on a topic related to cyberbullying.

CareerFitter Online Scholarship
Sponsor: CareerFitter
Amount: $500.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students. Applicant must take a free career test and submit an essay on their perfect career.

Chemistry Scholarship
Sponsor: BOC Sciences
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students enrolled as an undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. students majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical technology, or other chemistry-related sciences.

Direct Textbook Essay Scholarship Contest
Sponsor: DirectTextbook.com
Amount: $2,000.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Contest is open to graduating high school seniors, college, and postgraduate students in the United States. Applicant must submit an original essay of 500 words or fewer on the prompt: “The Skill I’m Teaching Myself That No Class Offers.”

Dyslexia/Auditory Processing Disorder Scholarship
Sponsor: Gemm Learning
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students who will be enrolled in college during fall and who have dyslexia. Applicant must submit an essay on a given topic related to living with dyslexia.

Money Metals Exchange Scholarship Program
Sponsor: Money Metals Exchange
Amount: Up to $2,500
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to incoming and current college and graduate students with an interest in economics, specifically the tradition of the Austrian school. However, students do not need to be an economic major to be eligible. Applicant must submit an essay on a given topic related to the economy.

National Poetry Competition
Sponsor: The Poetry Society
Amount: Up to £5000
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Competition is open to anyone aged 17 or over at the time of entering. International entries are welcome. Applicant must submit a previously unpublished single poem.

Nebraska Broadcasters Association Scholarships
Sponsor: Nebraska Broadcasters Association
Amount: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students who have completed at least one half of their degree and majoring in broadcasting, communications, or a related field at a four-year public or private college or university. Applicant must have a Nebraska connection (graduate of a Nebraska high school or attending a Nebraska college or university).

Safety on the Road Scholarship
Sponsor: Lone Star Injury Attorneys
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to high school seniors and current undergraduate and graduate students in the United States who have at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicant must submit an essay discussing their idea for improving road safety and the potential results of their proposed change.

Second Career Scholarship
Sponsor: Selected Independent Funeral Homes Educational Trust
Amount: $1,500.00
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students enrolled full-time in a mortuary science program at an ABFSE accredited school in North America who is not related to an owner of a funeral home currently in operation.

St. Pierre Alliance Resiliency Scholarship
Sponsor: The St. Pierre Alliance
Amount: At least $1,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and college students enrolled in an Associates degree program, Bachelor’s degree program, or technical degree program. Applicant must have at least a 3.0 GPA and have overcome an adversity or challenge in life.

Video Contest Scholarship for Creative Students
Sponsor: IvyPanda
Amount: Up to $1,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to current high school, college, and university students worldwide. Applicant must submit a video on a given topic related to ChatGPT, AI, or tips for creating a productive study environment.

Wiki Loves Monuments
Sponsor: Wikipedia Commons
Amount: Up to $500
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Program is open to all individuals worldwide. Individual must submit a photo of a U.S. historic site. Program will accept multiple photos.

Fields of Corn Photo Contest
Sponsor: National Corn Growers Association
Amount: Up to $500
Closing Date: November 17, 2026
Description: Contest is open to legal residents of the United States. Applicant must submit a photo that helps tell the story of farming field corn in America.

HBCU Connect Minority Scholarship Program
Sponsor: HBCUConnect.com
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: December 1, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to minority students who are incoming or current college students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Technology Scholarship
Sponsor: Attorney Marketing Network
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: December 15, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to current undergraduate students who are studying computer science, mathematics, science or engineering and have at least a 3.0 GPA.

NEWH Green Voice Design Competition
Sponsor: Amtrend, Culp Hospitality, Florida Seating, Posh Textiles, and Royal Thai
Amount: $7,500.00
Closing Date: January 31, 2027
Description: Contest is open to undergraduate and graduate Hospitality Interior Design or Architecture students who are junior level or above. Applicant must have at least $7,500 in current/upcoming debt through college for tuition and program approved books/supplies. Applicant must showcase their design skills while utilizing the very best in sustainable design products and practices.

Good Works Scholarship
Sponsor: Karin Riley Porter – Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney
Amount: $1,000.00
Closing Date: February 28, 2027
Description: Scholarship is open to all undergraduate, graduate, and law school students, as well as incoming college freshmen at an accredited U.S. educational institution with at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicant must submit an essay on their leadership and dedication to giving back to the community.

Social Justice Scholarship
Sponsor: Price Benowitz LLP
Amount: $2,000.00
Closing Date: February 28, 2027
Description: Scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in an accredited community college, undergraduate, or graduate program in the United States. Applicant must be interested in social justice, as demonstrated by past and present volunteer, professional, and educational experiences.