CDO Staff
Written By - CDO Staff

Check MarkEdited By OMC Staff

Check MarkReview & Contribution By OMC Staff

Introduction

Balancing work, family, and education takes serious dedication—and fortunately, financial aid isn’t just for full-time students anymore. Part-time learners can access a growing range of scholarships created for those managing multiple responsibilities. These opportunities help ease tuition costs, cover essential academic expenses, and support steady progress toward degrees. Many programs consider career goals, financial situations, and community involvement, making higher education more accessible, flexible, and rewarding for students advancing at a manageable pace.

Scholarships for Part-Time Students

Top 10 Scholarships for Part-Time Students

This detailed guide highlights the top scholarship opportunities explicitly designed for part-time learners seeking financial support. Each award comes with clear details about qualification criteria, submission deadlines, and standout features that make the opportunity worth pursuing. The listings cover diverse fields and education levels, ensuring students balancing work and classes can find relevant funding matches. Practical application strategies and insider insights help strengthen submissions and maximize approval odds. Whether attending community college or pursuing an advanced degree at a flexible pace, these scholarships offer genuine pathways to affordable education without requiring full-time enrollment. Here is a list of the top 10 Scholarships for Part-Time Students:

1. TMCF/Sallie Mae Fund Completing the Dream Gap Scholarship

2. Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

3. Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship

4. Blackheart Foundation Scholarship Programme

5. New York State Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

6. American Express Scholarship

7. American Council of the Blind Scholarship

8. eLearners Military Scholarship

9. Return2College Scholarship

10. Massachusetts Part-Time Grant Program

What Do You Need to Get Scholarships for Part-Time Students?

Balancing education with real-life responsibilities requires strong preparation and clear documentation. Scholarships for part-time students focus on academic dedication, financial transparency, and demonstrated commitment to long-term goals. Meeting these expectations strengthens eligibility, showcases readiness for higher education, and highlights the determination needed to succeed while managing limited study time and outside obligations effectively. Here are a few effective ways to qualify for part-time students:

  • Proof of Part-Time Enrollment
    Official enrollment verification from accredited institutions, including transcripts, registration summaries, or credit hour confirmations, demonstrating active part-time academic status, consistent participation in coursework, adherence to minimum credit requirements, and compliance with eligibility standards required by scholarship providers evaluating academic commitment and enrollment authenticity.
  • Financial Need Documentation
    Comprehensive financial records such as FAFSA reports, household income statements, tax documentation, and expense summaries, clearly reflecting limited financial capacity, educational cost burdens, tuition challenges, and economic hardship factors considered essential for scholarships designed specifically for part-time students requiring monetary assistance.
  • Academic Performance Records
    Strong academic history supported by grade reports, cumulative GPA evidence, academic awards, instructor recommendations, and successful course completion documentation, highlighting educational consistency, structured learning discipline, intellectual readiness, and reliable academic effort despite reduced course enrollment and external obligations.
  • Educational and Career Goal Statements
    Well-developed personal essays, academic plans, and career statements outlining long-term objectives, professional aspirations, structured learning pathways, and motivational purpose, demonstrating clarity of direction, commitment to educational completion, and alignment with scholarship missions for part-time academic advancement.
  • Employment or Family Responsibility Proof
    Formal work schedules, employer verification letters, caregiving records, family responsibility confirmations, and time commitment documentation, validating limited availability for full-time study, establishing legitimate need for part-time enrollment, and showcasing dedication to balancing education with essential personal or professional responsibilities.
  • Community and Leadership Involvement
    Verified participation in community service activities, volunteer programs, leadership roles, professional associations, or student organizations, supported by reference letters or achievement certificates, reflecting social responsibility, leadership qualities, active contribution, and engagement that enhance scholarship applications for part-time educational funding opportunities.

How to Apply for Scholarships for Part-Time Students?

Applying for scholarships for part-time students requires careful planning, structured preparation, and consistent organization. Successful applications depend on accurate documentation, compelling academic and career alignment, and strict adherence to deadlines. Strategic research, strong writing, and clear presentation of achievements increase competitiveness and improve opportunities for securing education funding support.

  • Research Scholarship Opportunities
    Search databases, institutional listings, and private funding sources to locate scholarships designed specifically for part-time enrollment, while filtering results by academic field, eligibility requirements, geographic location, and attendance status, building a structured list of qualified opportunities supported by deadlines, documentation needs, and selection priorities.
  • Organize Academic and Financial Records
    Collect official transcripts, enrollment verification letters, financial aid summaries, tax documentation, identification records, and recommendation requests, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and current dates, while arranging files in labeled digital folders and physical binders to streamline access and prevent missing materials during scholarship evaluation processes.
  • Prepare Strong Application Essays
    Draft focused essays highlighting academic goals, career direction, leadership activities, and financial circumstances, using clear language, organized structure, and compelling storytelling, while aligning content with scholarship mission statements, demonstrating dedication to part-time study, and presenting consistent commitment to professional growth and educational advancement plans.
  • Complete Application Forms Carefully
    Enter personal, academic, and financial information into official application portals with precision, reviewing character limits, required fields, and formatting rules, while uploading supporting documents in approved formats, verifying completeness, and preventing errors that could delay processing or negatively influence scholarship committee evaluation stages.
  • Track Deadlines and Submission Dates
    Create a detailed calendar listing application deadlines, transcript requests, recommendation submission dates, and follow-up reminders, using scheduling tools to maintain steady progress, prevent last-minute errors, and ensure timely completion of multiple scholarship applications without technical issues or missed submission opportunities that reduce funding chances.
  • Follow Up and Monitor Application Status
    Review confirmation emails, online portal updates, and communication from scholarship administrators, responding promptly to document requests, interview invitations, or clarification needs, while maintaining professional communication records and organized tracking systems to demonstrate serious interest and reliability throughout scholarship review and selection processes.

Top 10 Scholarships for Part-Time Students — Details

The leading scholarships for part-time students showcase highly trusted funding opportunities for learners seeking flexible, accessible paths to higher education. Here is the detailed  list of the top 10 Scholarships for Part-Time Students:

TMCF/Sallie Mae Fund Completing the Dream Gap Scholarship

TMCF/Sallie Mae Fund Completing the Dream Gap Scholarship for part-time students like this supports diverse learners from historically underserved communities facing financial barriers to completing postsecondary education. Candidates must maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA and demonstrate leadership qualities while enrolled full-time or part-time at accredited two-year, four-year colleges, universities, or vocational certificate programs. Students must be in good academic standing, but at risk of not completing their degree due to outstanding financial need or urgent emergencies.

Award Amount: $2500

Deadline: December annually

Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

Designed for low-income women age 35 or older pursuing technical, vocational education, associate degrees, or first bachelor’s degrees at accredited U.S. institutions, this program supports Scholarships for Part-Time students alongside full-time pathways. The program accepts flexible enrollment without minimum GPA requirements. Recipients demonstrate financial need and dedication to educational growth and community impact. Awards remain renewable for up to 5 years, with unrestricted non-tuition funding distributed directly to recipients who support long-term educational aspirations nationwide.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship

This last-dollar program supports Scholarships for Part-Time students by covering the remaining tuition and mandatory fees for Maryland residents attending community colleges after other financial aid is applied. Students must be Maryland high school graduates or GED recipients eligible for in-state tuition, enrolled full-time or part-time in credit-bearing certificates, associate degrees, vocational programs, or registered apprenticeships, while maintaining required GPA standards and satisfactory academic progress.

Award Amount: up to $5000

Deadline: April 1, 2026

Blackheart Foundation Scholarship Programme

Provides Scholarships for Part-Time students through gap funding to hardworking, under-resourced, ambitious individuals pursuing educational goals primarily in the UK and US, though other geographies are considered. The programme supports all educational stages from preparatory through postgraduate schooling, including both formal classroom education and experiential field learning. Applications require a 1200-word personal statement outlining educational activities, alignment with the foundation’s aims, and a clear demonstration of financial need. Awards are assessed individually based on a holistic review of educational plans, finances, social circumstances, and future outcome aspirations.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

New York State Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The New York State Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides Scholarships for Part-Time students to New York State residents enrolled part-time (6–11 credits) at SUNY or CUNY community colleges. Candidates must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need through income eligibility requirements. The program recognizes that many students balance work, family responsibilities, and education simultaneously, making part-time enrollment necessary for degree completion while managing other life obligations and financial constraints effectively.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: June annually

American Express Scholarship

American Express Scholarship provides Scholarships for Part-Time students in the hospitality field. Established in 1994, this hospitality-focused scholarship serves current lodging employees and their dependents enrolled full-time or part-time in undergraduate hospitality management programs at U.S. colleges or universities. Applicants must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and either work at least 20 hours weekly at an AHLA member hotel with 12 months’ experience, or be dependents of qualified employees with past hospitality industry employment demonstrating commitment to lodging careers.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

American Council of the Blind Scholarship

American Council of the Blind Scholarship supports Scholarships for Part-Time students pursuing postsecondary education. Established in 1982, this program serves legally blind entering first-year students, undergraduate and graduate students, and technical college attendees. Most awards require a 3.0 GPA and eligibility for full- or part-time enrollment while working at least 32 hours weekly. Applicants demonstrate school and community involvement while attending accredited U.S. institutions, with support covering education-related and accessibility needs essential for academic success.

Award Amount: $2,000 to $7,500

Deadline: Varies

eLearners Military Scholarship

eLearners Military Scholarship supports Scholarships for Part-Time students by honoring sacrifices made by United States military families through educational funding that offsets college costs. Eligible applicants include active-duty servicemembers, honorably discharged veterans, and military spouses from any branch of service. The scholarship assists students actively enrolled in postsecondary programs, recognizing the unique financial challenges faced by military families while pursuing civilian career advancement through higher education, and offers flexible enrollment options.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

Return2College Scholarship

Return2College Scholarship offers Scholarships for Part-Time students and adult learners age 17 or older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending or planning to attend two-year, four-year, or graduate programs. The scholarship supports full-time and part-time enrollment at on-campus or online schools. Applicants submit a brief three-sentence essay detailing educational goals and motivations, with multiple entries permitted, emphasizing commitment to degree completion.

Award Amount: $1000

Deadline: January 31, 2026

Massachusetts Part-Time Grant Program

The Massachusetts Part-Time Grant Program provides Scholarships for Part-Time students to Massachusetts residents enrolled in six or fewer undergraduate credits per term at eligible state institutions. Applicants must complete FAFSA, maintain satisfactory academic progress, hold no prior bachelor’s degree, and remain in good standing on student loans. The program supports working adults and non-traditional students pursuing undergraduate degrees or eligible certificate programs, addressing the growing need for flexible, less-than-full-time enrollment options.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

Additional Resources for Scholarships for Part-Time Students

Finding scholarship money doesn’t end with applications—knowing where to look makes all the difference. Countless online databases, professional organizations, and community foundations offer specialized search tools designed specifically for part-time learners. From employer tuition reimbursement programs to industry-specific grants, resources exist at every turn. The secret lies in tapping into lesser-known platforms and local opportunities that many students overlook entirely. Smart searching means more funding discovered and less debt accumulated. Here are a few websites for scholarship resources:

Scholarships.com

One of the largest free scholarship databases available, Scholarships.com features over 3.7 million scholarships worth more than $19 billion in awards. Students create detailed profiles answering questions about academic interests, demographics, and enrollment status, then receive personalized matches delivered directly via email. The platform updates opportunities daily and includes scholarships specifically for part-time students.

Niche

Beyond scholarship searches, Niche offers college reviews, rankings, and comprehensive school data, along with its scholarship database. The platform hosts numerous no-essay scholarships with simple entry requirements, making applications quick and accessible for busy part-time students. Monthly scholarship drawings and specialized awards for community college students provide regular opportunities. The user-friendly interface connects students with both large national awards and smaller local opportunities.

Peterson’s Scholarship Search

Peterson’s combines scholarship searches with test-preparation resources, college planning tools, and graduate school information in one comprehensive platform. The database contains thousands of scholarships searchable by enrollment status, field of study, and demographic characteristics. Part-time students benefit from detailed filtering options that identify awards specifically accepting flexible enrollment. Peterson’s also provides application tips and deadline reminders to keep scholarship seekers organized.

College Board Scholarship Search

Operated by the organization behind the SAT, the College Board’s free scholarship search tool connects students with over 2,200 programs totaling nearly $6 billion in annual awards. The platform emphasizes verified, legitimate scholarship opportunities from reputable organizations, thereby reducing the risk of scams. Students can filter results by award amount, deadline, and eligibility requirements, including part-time enrollment status. Integration with College Board accounts streamlines the search process for existing users.

FAQs About the Scholarships for Part-Time Students

What are scholarships for part-time students?

Scholarships for part-time students are financial aid awards designed to support learners enrolled in fewer credit hours than those required for full-time status. These scholarships help reduce tuition costs, cover educational expenses, and make higher education accessible for working adults, caregivers, and career changers seeking flexible academic pathways while maintaining employment or personal responsibilities throughout various study periods.

Who qualifies for part-time student scholarships?

Eligibility for part-time student scholarships typically includes enrollment in accredited institutions, minimum credit-hour requirements, satisfactory academic progress, and residency criteria. Many programs also consider employment status, financial need, career goals, and community involvement. Requirements vary by provider, so it’s important to review each provider’s eligibility rules.

Can part-time students receive federal financial aid?

Part-time students can receive federal financial aid depending on enrollment intensity and eligibility. Aid may include grants, loans, and work-study programs. The total amount often adjusts based on credit hours taken, meaning smaller awards compared to full-time enrollment, while still offering meaningful assistance.

Are online part-time students eligible for scholarships?

Online part-time students may qualify for scholarships offered by universities, private organizations, and foundations. Eligibility generally depends on accredited enrollment, academic standing, and course load. Many scholarships recognize distance learners and flexible study formats, supporting career-driven individuals balancing work and education responsibilities.

Do part-time scholarships cover full tuition?

Part-time scholarships rarely cover full tuition, but many significantly reduce educational expenses. Coverage may include partial tuition, books, technology fees, or living costs. Combining multiple scholarships and financial aid programs often creates a comprehensive funding package that makes part-time study more affordable.

How competitive are part-time student scholarships?

Part-time student scholarships can be highly competitive due to limited funding and high demand. Strong academic performance, clear career goals, compelling personal statements, and documented financial need improve chances. Early preparation and organized applications help candidates stand out during selection processes and increase overall success.

Can working professionals apply for part-time scholarships?

Working professionals frequently qualify for part-time scholarships. Many programs are designed specifically for employed individuals seeking career advancement, professional development, or retraining. Proof of employment, career objectives, and academic commitment often strengthen applications and demonstrate readiness to balance work and educational responsibilities.

Can part-time scholarships be combined with other aid?

Part-time scholarships can be combined with grants, loans, and employer tuition assistance. Combining multiple funding sources reduces overall education costs and minimizes out-of-pocket expenses. Financial aid offices often coordinate awards to ensure they do not exceed institutional or federal financial aid limits.

Are part-time scholarships taxable?

Part-time scholarships may be taxable depending on how funds are used. Amounts applied to tuition and required fees are generally tax-free, while funds used for living expenses or non-qualified costs may be taxable. Consulting tax professionals ensures accurate reporting and regulatory compliance.