Scholarship Opportunities

Osher Reentry Scholarship - The Bernard Osher Foundation

The Foundation requires that institutions promote the Osher Reentry Scholarship to non-traditional students. The Bernard Osher Foundation requires that the following guidelines be followed when selecting Osher scholars:

  • must be seeking your first undergraduate degree as a newly matriculating freshman or transfer student
  • must be applying for admission to Middle Tennessee State University, either for part-time or full-time enrollment, for the upcoming academic year
  • must have been out of school for 5 or more years (cumulative) since high school
  • demonstrate financial need (not necessarily on their FASFA)
  • show academic promise and commitment to obtaining a degree.

Online Application - deadline is June 29

Crankstart Foundation Scholarship

The Foundation will provide scholarship awards in support of the Crankstart Re-entry which is intended to support the following students at MTSU:

  • must be seeking your first undergraduate degree pursing your first baccalaureate degree
  • must be applying for admission to Middle Tennessee State University, either for part-time or full-time enrollment, for the upcoming academic year
  • must have been out of school for 5 or more years (cumulative) since high school
  • must anticipate workforce participation for a significant period of time subsequent to graduation and are ideally between the ages of 25 - 50
  • demonstrate financial need, socio-economic status, challenges and or hardships (not necessarily on your FASFA)
  • show academic promise and commitment to obtaining a degree

Online Application - deadline is June 29

NTO Scholarships

The Jane and Joan Nickell scholarships are funded by Marcus Nickell in honor of his two daughters who returned to college as nontraditional students to earn teaching degrees.

Online Application - deadline is June 29

 

Jane Nickell Taylor Scholarship

This privately endowed scholarship provides $500 per semester for one year only. It is designed for non-traditional female students undergoing life changes and who are in their final year working towards a degree.

Application criteria: You must be a female classified as a senior who is in a life transition. You must have a 2.9 GPA or better and plan to enroll full time while you are receiving this scholarship.

Joan Nickell Bailey Scholarship

This privately endowed scholarship provides $500 per semester for one year only. It is designed for an adult learner seeking a degree in elementary education who is in the final year of classes.

Application criteria: You must be classified as a senior who is majoring in elementary education. You must have a 2.9 GPA or better and plan to enroll full time while you are receiving this scholarship.

Attie E. Lewis Scholarship

The purpose of the scholarship endowment to be created with their gift is to support nontraditional students who are enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University.

Guidelines: To be eligible for consideration for this scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • must be recognized as a nontraditional student with preference to students with financial need and family responsibilities in addition to their academic workload
  • have an overall minimum 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale
  • be enrolled at MTSU

Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.)

Women Helping Women Reach for the Stars through Educational Grants, Loans and Scholarships

Mission: Promoting educational opportunities for women. Our sisterhood proudly makes a difference in women’s lives with the following philanthropies: P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund, P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund, P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, P.E.O. Scholar Awards and P.E.O. STAR Scholarship.

The following Grants, Scholarships and Loans are offered through PEO. Eligibility information and forms for these scholarships are available to students online at the P.E.O. website.

Note: P.E.O. is not affiliated with Middle Tennessee State University.

Educational Loan Fund (ELF)

  • High school graduate or equivalent
  • Citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada
  • Enrolled in accredited U.S or Canadian school and within two years of completing course of study
  • Must be recommended by a P.E.O. chapter:
    Martha Tolbert 
    615-893-9140 
    tolbertmarthar@yahoo.com
  • Has two qualified cosigners for the loan
  • Loans available to qualified women who desire a higher education and are in need of financial assistance
  • Maximum loan is $12,000 (USD) for undergraduate, commercial, technical or vocational training and postgraduate certifications, $15,000 (USD) for master’s degrees and $20,000 (USD) for doctoral level degrees
  • The current interest rate is 2%
  • Loans for online programs in accredited schools will be considered
  • Internships or study abroad included in the approved degree program may be eligible

International Peace Scholarship Fund (IPS)

  • Must be a graduate student from a country other than the U.S. or Canada
  • Scholarship based upon demonstrated need
  • Student will return to a country outside the U.S. or Canada within 60 days of completing her degree program (VISA status permitting), unless approved for optional practical training
  • Maximum $12,500 scholarship
  • Must be recommended by a P.E.O. chapter:
    Martha Tolbert
    615-893-9140
    tolbertmarthar@yahoo.com

Program for Continuing Education (PCE)

  • One time grant-in-aid for students with financial need
  • Grant is for women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification that will improve their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and/or their families
  • Citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada
  • Is enrolled in an educational program leading to employment or job advancement
  • Must have spent at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student sometime in her adult life and be within 24 consecutive months of completing her educational goal
  • Must be recommended by a P.E.O. chapter:
    Martha Tolbert
    615-893-9140
    tolbertmarthar@yahoo.com 
  • To be used only for educational expenses, e.g., tuition, books, supplies, transportation, childcare while in class, required uniforms, testing fees and equipment/tools
  • Maximum $3,000 grant; lesser amounts may be requested and/or awarded

P.E.O. Scholar Awards (PSA)

  • Merit-based awards for women pursuing doctoral level degrees at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university
  • Enrolled full time with one to two full years of academic work remaining at the time of the award (August 1)
  • U.S. or Canadian citizen or legal permanent resident nominated by a local P.E.O. chapter:
    Martha Tolbert
    615-893-9140
    tolbertmarthar@yahoo.com
  • Highly competitive $15,000 award
  • Merit award, recognizing academic excellence, achievements and potential; not based on financial need
  • Potential to make a positive impact on society
  • Scholars notified by May 1

Other Scholarships

Search for other Scholarships on the WEB:

For scholarships specifically for women and for females in non-traditional fields, including the June Anderson Scholarships, Business & Professional Women’s Scholarships, American Association of University Women’s Scholarships, Soroptimists scholarships, and Talbots’ Scholarships, check with the JAC Office.