·
6 minute read
Supporting non-traditional scholarship applicants has never been more important – or more complex. If you're managing scholarship programs today, you've likely noticed that your applicant pool looks quite different than it did even a few years ago. More and more students are balancing work, family, and education. They're coming back to school after years in the workforce, or starting their educational paths later in life. These non-traditional students make up a growing portion of higher education enrollment, yet they often find themselves struggling to navigate traditional scholarship processes.
We know what you might be thinking: "My application system works fine for traditional students. Why change it?" But here's the reality – in the coming years, students aged 25 and older are projected to grow at a higher rate than their traditional peers. These applicants bring incredible life experience and determination to their studies. They're often highly motivated to advance their careers and contribute to their communities. However, they face unique challenges in applying for and securing scholarship funding.
The good news? Supporting these applicants doesn't require a complete overhaul of your scholarship program. With the right tools and approaches, you can make your scholarship opportunities more accessible and appealing to non-traditional students while maintaining the rigor and efficiency of your selection process.
Who Are Today's Non-Traditional Students?
Today's non-traditional students represent a diverse group – they're parents returning to school, veterans transitioning to civilian careers, working professionals seeking advancement, and adults changing career paths.
Unlike their traditional counterparts - ya know, the fresh out of high school students who are still having their parents fill out forms for them - non-traditional students often support themselves and their families while pursuing education.
According to the Lumina Foundation, when it comes to college students - 64% work while in school, with 40% of those folks working full-time. This means they're not just balancing coursework – they're juggling mortgage payments, childcare costs, and daily living expenses. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators found that more than half of the people that were asked listed financial uncertainty as their top concern, and cost as a significant barrier to education.
Common Obstacles in the Application Process
Even though many people need help paying for education, many non-traditional students are complaining about financial aid being difficult to apply for. Let’s take a look at some of the common obstacles that present an opportunity for supporting non-traditional scholarship applicants.
Time Management Challenges
Non-traditional applicants typically can't spend hours filling out applications during regular business hours. They're often completing scholarship applications late at night after work or between family obligations. Long, complex applications that require multiple sittings can be particularly challenging for these busy applicants.
Technology Hurdles
While many non-traditional students are tech-savvy, others may struggle with purely digital application processes. Some may be accessing applications primarily through mobile devices due to limited computer access. Others might be returning to education after years away and find themselves navigating unfamiliar digital platforms.
Documentation Dilemmas
Traditional scholarship applications often request documents that non-traditional students might find challenging to obtain. Think about transcripts from schools attended a decade ago, or employment verification from companies that no longer exist. These applicants may have relevant experience that doesn't fit neatly into standard application categories.
Deadline Difficulties
Fixed deadlines that align with traditional academic calendars may not serve non-traditional students well. Many of these applicants make decisions to return to school on different timelines, sometimes mid-semester or with short notice due to life changes or employment opportunities.
The Hidden Challenge: Self-Doubt
Beyond these practical obstacles lies a less visible but significant barrier – many non-traditional students question whether they're "scholarship material." Despite often having rich life experience and strong motivation, they may hesitate to apply if scholarship communications seem targeted only toward traditional students.
Here’s where you come in – Understanding these challenges is the first step toward making your scholarship program more accessible to this motivated group of applicants.
Essential Features for Supporting Non-Traditional Scholarship Applicants
The key to supporting non-traditional applicants isn't lowering standards – it's removing unnecessary barriers. Modern scholarship management systems offer features that can make your application process more accessible while maintaining or even improving the quality of your applicant pool. Let’s explore a few of the ways you can help potential applicants.
Mobile-First Design
Today's applicants often complete forms between shifts or during their commute. A mobile-responsive application system isn't just convenient – it's essential. Look for platforms that automatically adjust to any screen size, ensuring that all features work smoothly whether accessed by phone, tablet, or computer.
Save and Return Functionality
Life happens. Your application system should allow applicants to save their progress and return later. This simple feature can be the difference between capturing or losing excellent candidates who can't complete everything in one sitting.
Versatile Document Uploads
Non-traditional applicants often have unique documentation that tells their story. Your system should accept multiple file formats and allow applicants to upload transcripts, work portfolios, or other relevant materials easily. This flexibility helps you get a complete picture of each candidate's qualifications.
Smart Communication Tools That Keep Everyone Connected
Different applicants have different communication preferences. A robust system should offer both email and text notifications, letting applicants choose how they want to receive updates. This ensures important deadlines and requests don't get lost in busy lives.
We also recommend implementing strategic reminders. These can significantly improve completion rates. Look for systems that let you set up automated reminders that feel helpful rather than pushy. These should include application deadlines, missing document alerts, and recommendation follow-ups.
Clear Status Updates
Uncertainty breeds anxiety. Give applicants clear visibility into where they stand in the process through an easy-to-understand status dashboard. This reduces time-consuming inquiries and helps applicants manage their time effectively.
Language Support
If you're serving diverse communities, multi-language support isn't just nice to have – it's necessary. Your system should offer form translation capabilities, particularly for commonly requested languages like Spanish and French.
Simple Ways to Encourage More Applicants to Apply for Your Scholarship Programs
Make it easy for busy people to complete your scholarship applications. Remember, many of your non-traditional applicants are filling out forms during lunch breaks or after putting kids to bed. A few thoughtful adjustments to your process can dramatically increase your qualified applicant pool.
Quick ideas to implement today:
- Let applicants save their progress and return later
- Don’t make your application too long or complicated
- Make sure your forms work well on phones and tablets
- Offer evening and weekend support hours
- Send specific reminders about missing documents (not just generic deadline alerts)
- Consider multiple application windows throughout the year, if possible
- Look beyond GPA: You might want to give value work experience and community involvement
- Create clear checklists so applicants know exactly what they need
The key to supporting non-traditional scholarship applicants is making your process work for real people with real lives. Remove unnecessary barriers, and you'll naturally attract more qualified candidates who might otherwise talk themselves out of applying.
Measuring Your Impact & Moving Forward
To close things out, let's explore how you can measure success and impact of your scholarship program while keeping the focus on supporting non-traditional applicants effectively.
Key Metrics That Matter
– Application Completion Rates: Track not just how many non-traditional students start applications, but how many finish them. If you notice a significant drop-off, analyze where in the process applicants tend to abandon their submissions. This insight can help you identify and address specific barriers in your application process.
– Diversity Tracking: Monitor the diversity of your applicant pool across multiple dimensions:
- Age ranges
- Work status (full-time, part-time, career-changing)
- Family responsibilities
- Geographic distribution
- Educational background
Look for gaps in representation that might indicate your outreach isn't reaching certain communities effectively.
Gathering Meaningful Feedback
It’s important to keep your ear to the ground for what’s working, and what’s missing your mark in your applications and scholarship programs. We recommend targeted surveys to gather helpful feedback. For example:
- Post-application feedback surveys (even from those who didn't complete)
- Award recipient experience surveys
- Regular check-ins with scholarship recipients
- Annual program evaluation from all stakeholders
The key is asking specific, actionable questions that help you understand both what's working and what needs improvement.
Analyzing Long-Term Impact: Track Beyond the Award
Don't just measure immediate success – follow your scholarship recipients' progress:
- Graduation rates
- Career advancement
- Community involvement
- Program testimonials
These long-term indicators help demonstrate your program's true impact and can support future funding requests.
Every improvement you make to support non-traditional applicants typically benefits all applicants. When you make your scholarship program more accessible, you're not just helping individual students – you're contributing to broader educational equity and workforce development.
The numbers tell the story. Non-traditional students now make up a significant and growing portion of higher education enrollment. So it’s a good idea to adapt your scholarship program to serve them effectively. This positions your organization to be at the forefront of the shift occurring in education.
Ready to Transform Your Scholarship Program?
Want to make it easier on yourself to manage your non-traditional student scholarships? Schedule a demo to see what SmarterSelect can do for you. Our platform offers all the features we've discussed – from mobile-responsive applications to comprehensive tracking tools – in one intuitive system designed to serve diverse applicant pools effectively.
Don't just adapt to the changing landscape of scholarship management – lead the way in making education more accessible for all students. Let's talk about how we can help you in supporting non-traditional scholarship applicants so you can create a scholarship program that truly serves today's learners.
