Although the traditional idea of a college student is a teen or young adult, there’s a larger percentage of college students who don’t fit into that age range. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 15% of students are 25 or older, and more students are returning to college later in life.
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is President Trump’s signature bill, a broad and sweeping bill that made substantial changes to many aspects of business, healthcare, and education. For adult college students, the OBBB is particularly impactful, changing what financial aid options are available.
The One Big Beautiful Bill’s Impact on Adult Students
The OBBB has several key provisions about financial aid; here are some of the biggest changes you should know about if you’re planning on returning to college:
- Pell Grants may be easier to get: If you plan on enrolling in a vocational or trade program, you may be eligible for a Pell Grant, a form of gift aid for low-income students. The OBBB expanded Pell Grants to students enrolled in work training programs.
- Graduate students have fewer options: The OBBB eliminated the Grad PLUS Loan program, so those who want to go to graduate or professional school will need to rely on Direct Unsubsidized Loans. And, Direct Unsubsidized Loans have new annual and lifetime borrowing limits, so you may need to find other financial aid options.
- Repayment plans are more limited: The OBBB ended several of the income-driven repayment plans that millions of student loan borrowers use to make their payments more manageable. For loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, the only repayment options will be a 10-year standard repayment plan and a new Repayment Assistance Plan, so it may be tougher to handle your payments.
7 Ways to Pay for College As an Adult Student After the OBBB
In light of the OBBB’s changes, you may need additional financial aid assistance to return to school as an adult. As an adult college student, you can use these options to pay for your education:
1. Federal Grants
Thanks to the OBBB, you may be eligible for Pell Grants if you’re pursuing an undergraduate degree, or if you’re pursuing a professional certificate or enroll in a qualifying work training program. To apply, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
2. Federal Loans
If you’re returning to college as an undergraduate student, you’re eligible for Direct Subsidized or Direct Unsubsidized Loans. If you plan on pursuing a graduate or professional degree, you may be eligible for Grad PLUS Loans.
3. Federal Work-Study
If your school participates in the federal work-study program, you can get a part-time job while you’re in school related to your major. You can use your income from that job to cover some of your expenses, reducing the need for student loans.
4. Grants and Scholarships
There are grants and scholarships specifically designed for adult college students or returning students. Offered by non-profit organizations and private companies, these awards are forms of gift aid and do not have to be repaid. For example:
- Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation Grant: Low-income mothers can qualify for up to $5,000 to return to college.
- Return2College: Adults returning to college can qualify for a $1,000 scholarship.
- The Boomer Benefits Scholarship: Adults students who are 50 or older and returning to college can receive up to $2,500 per year.
5. Institutional Aid
Some colleges have their own grants, scholarships, or student loan programs, and may have specialized programs for adult students. For example:
- University of Indianapolis Frank O’Bannon Grant: This grant is for low-income adults returning to college.
- Penn State Adult Learner: Students 24 or older may be eligible for the Penn State Adult Learner scholarship.
- Wittenberg University Adult Access Award: At Wittenberg University, students can qualify for a grant that covers a portion of their credit hours.
6. State Programs
Many states have programs to help residents enter careers or learn new skills to qualify for better-paying jobs. For example:
- Ohio Second Chance Grant: The Ohio Second Chance Grant is available to Ohio residents who return to college to earn a degree or credential; eligible students can receive up to $2,000.
- Utah Adult Learner Grant: Students 26 or older enrolled in an eligible online program in a high-need area can qualify for this grant. The maximum award is up to the cost of attendance at participating schools.
- Vermont Curtis Fund: The Curtis Fund provides scholarships to Vermont students returning to college to learn necessary job skills.
7. Private Student Loans
If federal financial aid, grants, scholarships, state aid, and institutional aid are not enough to cover the cost of returning to college as an adult student, a private student loan can be a useful tool. Private loans can pay for 100% of your remaining total cost of attendance so you can complete your education, and you can have between five and 15 years to repay your loan.
You can use ELFI’s Check Your Rate tool to check your loan eligibility and view potential options.
