If you’re going back to school—whether it’s for a career change, personal growth, or to finally finish a degree you once started—you might be asking:
“Are there scholarships for adult learners or parents returning to school?”
The good news? Yes.
And one of the most important parts of applying is your scholarship personal statement.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to write a powerful personal statement that helps you stand out—no matter your age or stage in life.
Are Mature Students Eligible for Scholarships?
Yes—mature students are eligible for many scholarships, and some awards are created specifically for adult learners, career changers, or parents returning to school.
But here’s the key:
Eligibility is only part of the story. Mission matters just as much.
You might not see “adult student” listed in the requirements. But if the scholarship supports perseverance, leadership, or helping others—your story could be a perfect fit. So, saying that:
- Always read the eligibility criteria
- But also understand the mission of the award
- Ask: Who is this scholarship trying to support?
You may qualify for more awards than you think—especially if you’re clear, honest, and intentional in your personal statement.
How Many Scholarships Are Out There for Mature Students?
The number of scholarships available for mature students can vary widely depending on the level and type of program you’re pursuing.
Undergraduate Programs
If you’re returning to complete or begin a bachelor’s degree, you may find fewer scholarships specifically targeting mature students.
However, many general awards are open to any student who meets the mission or values of the organization—regardless of age.
Pro tip: Look for awards that support “non-traditional students,” “first-generation students,” or “students returning after an educational break.”
Graduate Programs (Especially MBAs)
If you’re applying to graduate school, especially a program like an MBA, the scholarship landscape opens up significantly.
Many business schools and professional programs:
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Have dedicated merit-based and need-based funding for mature students
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Actively recruit students with work and life experience
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Offer scholarships for leadership, entrepreneurship, and career transitions
Bottom line: Graduate programs often offer more targeted and generous support for mature applicants.
What Is a Scholarship Personal Statement?
A personal statement is your chance to show who you are beyond grades and transcripts.
It’s where you explain your goals, share your story, and connect with the people who will read your application.
Think of it like this:
Your personal statement is the heart of your scholarship application. It tells the why behind your what—and when done right, it can make the difference between getting overlooked and getting chosen.
Why Your Story Matters (Especially for Adult Learners and Parents)
If you’re a parent, mature student, or someone returning to school after time away, you might feel unsure about how your life experiences fit into a scholarship application.
But here’s the truth: Your story can be your strength.
Scholarship committees aren’t just looking for straight-A students.
They’re looking for real people who show resilience, purpose, and impact.
That’s where you can shine.
What Scholarship Committees Are Really Looking For
Whether you’re applying for a scholarship specifically for mature students or a general award, most committees are looking for:
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A clear sense of purpose – Why are you going back to school?
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Evidence of impact – How have you made a difference in your home, work, or community?
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Alignment with the scholarship’s mission – Does your story connect with the values behind the award?
This last point is important:
Even if you meet the requirements on paper, it’s your alignment with the mission that makes you a solid candidate.
How to Write a Winning Scholarship Personal Statement
Follow these steps to write a personal statement that truly connects.
1. Start With a Specific Story
Don’t begin with a generic sentence like “I’ve always wanted to go back to school.”
Instead, start with a moment—something real.
Example:
“Last year, I tutored five high school students in math and science twice a week for three months. All five passed their final exams, and two improved their grades by more than 15%.”
Stories with numbers and outcomes stand out.
2. Explain Your Why
Talk about why you’re returning to school. What’s driving you?
Example:
“After spending 12 years as a stay-at-home parent, I want to earn my social work degree so I can support other families like mine through school and healthcare systems.”
3. Highlight Your Impact
Show what you’ve done—not just what you hope to do.
Example:
“Over the past four years, I’ve cared for my three younger siblings every weekday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. I manage school pickups, homework, meal prep, and bedtime routines. This experience taught me time management, responsibility, and how to support others with empathy.”
Another example:
“In 2022, I led a community food drive that collected over 1,200 canned goods and raised $850 for our local shelter.”
These types of results-based stories show you’re already making a difference.
4. Connect to the Scholarship’s Mission
Once you’ve read the scholarship’s details, tie your story to what the scholarship stands for.
Example:
“Because this scholarship supports first-generation students who are active in their communities, I believe my experience volunteering over 100 hours at our local youth center fits your mission perfectly.”
5. End With a Vision
Show where you’re headed and how this scholarship will help you get there.
Example:
“With my nursing degree, I plan to work in underserved communities and eventually launch a mobile health clinic to reach families without regular access to care.”
Final Tips for Parents and Returning Students
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Keep it simple. You don’t need fancy language. Just write like you talk.
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Stick to the word count. If they ask for 500 words, don’t write 700.
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Proofread. Read it out loud or ask a friend to check for typos.
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Be real. Your story is enough. You don’t need to sound perfect—you need to sound honest.
List of Scholarships for Mature Students and Parents Returning to School
1. Parents Need Scholarship
Deadline: Annually on December 1st
Amount: $1,000
Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is for students who show themselves able to find balance between studying and raising their children.
From the Scholarship Donor: Being a parent while educating yourself in university can be a challenge. Parents who study are often faced with time and money constraints. That’s why ParentsNeed has created a yearly scholarship designed for students who show themselves able to find balance between studying and raising their children.
Our mission has been to help parents on their journey of parenthood with a motto of shifting the focus back to them.
2. Beedie Luminaries SPARK Program
Deadline: December
Amount: Up to $44,000
Who is this scholarship for? To be eligible for this program students must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident since 2020, residing in British Columbia;
- Be a single parent, 19 years of age or older, with a high-school diploma or equivalent;
- Plan to be a full- or part-time student and use the funding for post-secondary education;
- Attend an eligible post-secondary institution;
- Demonstrate financial adversity;
- Be a single parent and receive endorsement from employer, school, or a community organization.
From the Scholarship Donor: The Beedie Luminaries SPARK Program recognizes the challenges and dreams of single parents who want to further their education and provide more opportunities for their families but are facing financial adversity. The recipients join a strong, diverse, well-connected support network of Beedie Luminaries students and future program alumni, as well as community leaders and mentors.
3. P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education
Deadline: Rolling deadline
Amount: Up to $4,000
Who is this scholarship for? A woman is eligible for consideration for a Program for Continuing Education grant if she:
- Is recommended by a local chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood;
- Is a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States or Canada;
- Is enrolled in a certification or degree program from an accredited institution; has not already earned a master’s degree or above;
- Is living and studying in the U.S. or Canada for the entire course of study;
- Has had at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student sometime in her adult life;
- Is within 18 consecutive months of completing her educational program;
- Is enrolled in an education program which, once concluded, will lead to employment or job advancement.
From the Scholarship Donor: The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) provides need-based grants to women in the United States or Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and/or their families.
4. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards
Deadline: Rolling deadline between August 1 and November 15.
Amount: Up to $16,000
Who is this scholarship for? You are eligible for this award if you are a woman who:
- Provides the primary financial support for yourself and your dependents. Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents;
- Has financial need;
- Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program;
- Is motivated to achieve your education and career goals;
- Resides in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela);
- Has not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Award;
- Does not have a graduate degree and is not pursuing one currently;
- Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas or immediate family of either.
From the Scholarship Donor: Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards program is a unique education award for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. The Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.
5. UFCW Canada Union Scholarships
Deadline: Vary by award
Amount: Vary by award
Who is this scholarship for? If you are a UFCW Canada member in good standing, attending full-time studies at a Canadian university, college, or other recognized post-secondary institution, then you, your spouse and children are eligible to apply for various union scholarships
From the Scholarship Donor: Expanding access to quality education is a top priority and core principle for UFCW Canada.
With universal access to education yet to be achieved in Canada, and the cost of post-secondary tuition continuing to rise, the United Food and Commercial Workers are committed to fighting for education justice and, at the same time, assisting members with tuition relief through a number of scholarship opportunities.
Every year, more than 25 scholarships, bursaries, awards and grants – totaling more than $300,000 – are available to UFCW Canada members and families.
Remember: Your Experience Is Your Advantage
If you’re going back to school later in life, you have something powerful on your side: perspective.
You’ve lived, you’ve worked, you’ve sacrificed—and that’s exactly the kind of grit that makes a scholarship reviewer take notice.
So don’t count yourself out.
You might be exactly who that scholarship was made for.
Christopher Grafos, Ph.D., is the founder and chief scholarship mentor at BridgesEDU Scholarships.
He’s a first-generation university graduate whose life was transformed by education and winning scholarships.
Scholarships help students financially, but they also help advance a student’s career. It’s his life’s work to champion this message and share the secrets to finding and winning scholarships.
Read more about Christopher’s journey here.
Need help finding or telling your story of impact?
I’d be happy to point you in the right direction (or help you get started).
Consultation Request Form
Original post here: Scholarships for Mature Students and Parents
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