What scholarships exist for people over 65
Scholarships for seniors are real, but they work differently than scholarships for high school graduates. Most are not for a four-year degree. Instead, they fund short courses, certificate programs, community college classes, and skill training—things you can finish in months or a year or two. Some pay for a single semester. A few do fund bachelor's degrees for older students, but those are less common.
The scholarships come from three main sources: community colleges and universities themselves, nonprofit organizations focused on older adults, and foundations that fund education in specific fields. Some are need-based (they look at your income), some are merit-based (they look at your grades or test scores), and some are just for seniors—age is the only requirement beyond showing up and doing the work.
The amounts vary widely. Some scholarships cover tuition completely. Others cover part of it, or pay for books and fees. A few are small—$500 or $1,000—but they still reduce what you pay out of pocket.
Key Takeaways
- Most senior scholarships fund certificate programs, community college courses, and short training rather than four-year degrees.
- Your local community college has its own scholarship fund for older students and can tell you about others in your state.
- Nonprofit organizations like Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes and AARP offer scholarships specifically for people over 50 or 55.
- You will need to provide proof of age, transcripts or test scores if required, and sometimes a short essay about why you want to study.
- process important date vary by program, so contact schools and organizations in January or February if you want to start in fall.
Where to find scholarships for seniors
Start with your local community college. Call the financial aid office and ask specifically: "Do you have scholarships for students over 65?" or "Do you have scholarships for older adults?" Write down the names of the scholarships, the important date, and what you need to submit. Many community colleges have at least one scholarship set aside for seniors, and staff there can also point you to state-level programs you might not find online.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI) are a national network of programs at universities and colleges in most states. They offer scholarships for people 50 and older to take classes in everything from history to technology to creative writing. Visit osher.net to find the program nearest you, then contact them about scholarship funding. Some OLLI programs are free or very low-cost already; others offer scholarships to reduce the cost further.
AARP has a scholarship program for people 50 and older who are returning to school. The program is called the AARP Purpose Prize and also funds scholarships through partner organizations. Search "AARP scholarships for older adults" on their website to see current offerings in your state.
Your state's higher education agency also maintains a list of scholarships available to state residents. Search "[your state name] scholarships for older adults" or "[your state name] higher education agency" to find their website. Many states have dedicated funds for workforce training and career changes that older workers can access.
What you need to prepare before you explore
Gather these documents before you start filling out applications. You will need proof of age (your driver's license or birth certificate), proof of income if the scholarship is need-based (last year's tax return or a recent pay stub), and your Social Security number. Keep these in one folder so you can find them quickly.
If the scholarship requires transcripts, contact your high school or any college you attended and request an official transcript. This usually costs $5 to $15 and takes one to two weeks. If you attended school a long time ago, the school may have moved or closed—call your state's Department of Education to find where records are kept now.
Some scholarships ask for a short essay: "Why do you want to study this?" or "What do you hope to do with this training?" Write a draft of this before you explore. Keep it to one page, single-spaced. Be honest about what drew you to the subject—whether it is a career change, a long-held interest, or a skill you need for a job you already have.
If the scholarship is merit-based and you have not taken a test in decades, ask the school whether you need to take the SAT, ACT, or a placement test. Many community colleges waive testing for students over a certain age. Some scholarships do not require test scores at all.
How to fill out a scholarship process
Read the entire process before you start writing. Underline or highlight what each question is asking for. Many applications have a word limit or character limit—stay within it. If it says 250 words, do not write 300.
Fill in your name, address, phone number, and email exactly as they appear on your official documents. Errors here can cause mail to go to the wrong place or your process to be rejected. Use the same spelling and format every time you write your name.
For questions about your background or why you want to study, be specific. Instead of "I want to learn new skills," write "I want to take the medical coding certificate so I can work part-time in a doctor's office near my home." Scholarship committees read hundreds of applications. The ones that stand out are the ones where you explain what you actually plan to do.
If the process asks about financial need, answer honestly. You do not have to be poor to may have access to for a need-based scholarship—many are for people with modest incomes. If you are paying for school yourself and money is tight, say that. If you are retired and living on a fixed income, that counts as need.
Submit your process before the important date. Do not wait until the last day. If you submit online, take a screenshot of the confirmation page. If you mail it, use certified mail so you have proof it arrived. Keep a copy of everything you send.
Scholarships by field of study
If you are studying healthcare, nursing, or medical coding, search "[your state name] healthcare scholarships older workers" or ask your community college about workforce development grants. Many states fund training in these fields because there is a shortage of workers.
If you are interested in technology or computer skills, look for scholarships from tech companies and nonprofits that teach digital literacy to older adults. Organizations like Senior Planet and TechSoup sometimes fund classes or training programs.
If you are studying a trade—plumbing, electrical work, HVAC—your state's Department of Labor may have grants or scholarships for career changers. These are often called "workforce development" or "apprenticeship" funds. Call your state DOL and ask what is available for someone your age.
If you are returning to school for a bachelor's degree, search for scholarships from the college itself first. Many universities have "returning adult student" scholarships. Then search for scholarships from your field—if you are studying business, search "business scholarships for older students." If you are studying education, search "education scholarships for career changers."
When to explore and what happens next
Most scholarship important date fall between January and April for fall enrollment, and between August and October for spring enrollment. Mark these dates on your calendar now. If you miss a important date, ask the school or organization when the next round opens—many scholarships have multiple important date per year.
After you submit your process, the organization will send you a confirmation email or letter. Keep this. If you do not hear back within two weeks, call and confirm they received it. Ask when you can expect to hear about the decision.
Scholarship decisions usually come out four to eight weeks after the important date. If you are chosen, the school will tell you how much money you are receiving and when it will be applied to your account. If you are not chosen, you can explore again next year, or explore to a different scholarship.
If you receive a scholarship, you may have requirements: maintaining a certain grade point average, attending class regularly, or completing the program. Read the scholarship letter carefully so you know what is expected of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be retired to get a senior scholarship?
No. Most scholarships for people over 65 do not ask about your employment status. Some ask about income, but working part-time or full-time does not disqualify you. A few scholarships are specifically for people returning to work after retirement, but most are open to anyone in the age group.
What if I did not finish high school?
Many community colleges and scholarship programs do not require a high school diploma. You may need to take a placement test or a GED, but this is not a barrier. Call the financial aid office at your local community college and ask what options exist for someone without a diploma.
Can I get a scholarship if I have a low income?
Yes. Need-based scholarships are designed for people with limited income. You will need to provide proof of your income (tax return, Social Security statement, or pay stub), but having a low income actually strengthens your process for these scholarships.
How many scholarships can I explore for at once?
You can explore for as many as you want. There is no limit. explore for multiple scholarships increases your chances of receiving at least one. Keep track of important date and requirements so you do not miss any.
What if I want to study something but there is no scholarship in that field?
explore anyway. Many scholarships are open to any field of study. Start with your school's general scholarship fund, then search for scholarships from nonprofits or foundations in your state. If you still find nothing, ask your school's financial aid office whether they have emergency funds or payment plans that could help.