Even the best-laid plans can go haywire due to certain unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances. Once this transpires, you will have to adapt to the sudden changes and restructure your plan for the future. There are instances when people have to drop out of college due to certain adult obligations and their aspiration to complete their higher education gets compromised. Also, there are circumstances when people come back to college to get a higher degree for advancing their career. As a result of which, there has been a sudden spurt in the number of people returning to colleges and the current academic environment is quite conducive to this trend.

For adults, going back to college can be a daunting task; it encompasses several factors like getting up to speed with the latest learning technologies and getting acquainted with the classroom protocol, which can become challenging for people who have been away from the academia for extended periods of time. Though these factors can be overwhelming, the financial strain you will experience while returning to college will take the cake.

Before you move on to grants for students returning to college, you can widen your options by filling the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form as the Federal government and schools will review your FAFSA to provide you access to federal grants, loans, and other work–study programs. After completing your FAFSA form, you can apply for one of these grants that are meant for students returning to college.

Grants from college and universities
Several colleges and universities offer “in-house” grants and scholarships to students returning to college. The grants for students returning to college are withdrawn from the reserves and general scholarship funds that are specifically ear-marked for adult learners. If your personal circumstances were the reason your education took a backseat, then you are eligible for such institutional aid which pays for your tuition. One such educational institution that offers grants to those students that are returning to college is the Michigan State University (MSU); it offers special awards like the William E. and Phoebe B. Clark for Returning Adult Students. Graduates and undergraduates can apply for these scholarships, but the criteria remain that each of these candidates must be a student returning to the MSU pursuing a college degree. Students who have lost their spouses or are single parents are usually favored for these grants. However, the applicants should have a good academic background for the educational institution to sanction these grants.

Grants from the Government
The Federal Pell Grant is meant for undergraduate students of any age who are in need of financial aid. Whether you are a student who is returning to college after a brief sabbatical or after a long time, you can apply for this grant. The Government gauges your need for financial assistance, the tuition fees of the college you have chosen to attend, and whether you will be attending the college on a part- or full-time basis. This grant works well for non-traditional students as the maximum amount of financial aid you can receive through the Pell Grant is around $5,920 as of January 2018.

The state government supports non-traditional students by offering them special grants. For instance, the state of New Jersey offers a special program for “disengaged” adult students—the “disengaged” students are those who went to college but left before obtaining their degrees. So, it is advisable that you check whether the state where you reside offers such state-specific grants as they can reduce the financial strain you might be undergoing.

The Montogomery G.I. Bill is another  Pell Grant that is meant for military veterans who are returning to college. This generous program covers their tuition fees, housing, and book costs, and can be obtained by qualified members of the armed forces who were on active duty for at least 90 days.

Grants for women
There are certain grants that are meant specifically for women who are returning to college. For instance, the Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund provides assistance to low-income women who are pursuing vocational and college training. Also, this grant is available only for women who are at least 35 years of age.